Thank you to all the firemen.  What an unusual opening for a fishing report?

This year there were over 50 of them in nine teams competing on the Tongariro (and other rivers).  Every year they meet at Turangi for their week long competition.  They set the example for so many other clubs and organisations to show what Turangi can offer in terms of a wide range of accommodation and social facilities and wonderful recreational fishing.  They confirm how the Tongariro River can easily cope with them plus many other anglers visiting for their annual fix.  Hundreds of trout were caught and lost and the spawning runs just kept on coming.  Wonderful.

Last weekend we reported some bad behaviour on the river when some others (who call themselves a ‘club’ to gain respectability) were guilty of barging into pools and wading in front of other anglers.  We hate reporting such incidents.  Such ‘clubs’ are not welcome.

Since then there have been over 50 firemen/anglers competing and all reports were positive and in the true spirit of trout fishing.  They will always be welcome at Turangi.  So a BIG THANK YOU to them all.

Based on our walk around the lower river on Thursday there are plenty of fresh run trout waiting for weekend anglers.

A few of the fishos met on the Tongariro in fine dry still conditions (despite Dan’s stormy weather forecast – wrong again,…) on Thursday morning included:

Graham Howie – a genuine fishing bum from Arapuni with his gypsy wagon above all set up with his fly tying bench etc.

We have noticed his colourful self contained gypsy wagon before on the various car parks up and down the Tongariro but never managed to find him.

Normally SWMBO claims they should all be banned (see Daily Report yesterday) as obviously they should all be staying in motels, but even She makes an exception for Graham – a true gypsy character continuing his roaming life ever since he was part of the Tinker Trader circus.

He was attending the annual fireman’s competition.

Two more anglers on left involved with the fireman’s competition were returning from down river. 

John who had travelled all the way from Taupo – holding two trout – and Frank from Doubtless Bay with one trout. 

Do not be fooled by the size of the fresh run trout – these ‘freshies’ are ideal size and condition for smoking.

Last are Toni Marks from Wellington with Bob Irwin in Duff’s Pool. 

Eternal optimists – even after they thought the departing firemen had thrashed the pool to a foam, Toni hooked up to land another from his first cast and Bob followed his example.

TRM will prepare a ‘special’ daily report on Toni’s exploits on Monday – we promise you will be surprised at his unfair advantages… don’t miss it.