Following previous blog was to warn anglers of changes to the usual Tongariro River flow for the next six weeks. But TRM inmates and tourist anglers are still unaware of these changes proposed…

This is a special report for brown trout junkies!

Fishy inmates have been asking about the announcement below – recently posted on TRM’s blog:

Tongariro Power Scheme flow changes: Due to proposed maintenance work on the Poutu Intake no water will be diverted from the Tongariro River into the Poutu Canal. Work is planned from Monday 6 March to Friday 21 April when flows will be 15-25 cumecs higher than normal.

So these 2009 photos and historic blog are designed to reduce any stress (and to boost TRM’s bookings?) over that period. The last time they closed off the Poutu Canal for such a long period was early March 2009. The canal was closed to repair leaks. The old photos illustrate the result. For whatever reason, the long flush-out at about double the normal flow attracted a huge number of brown trout into the Tongariro River. Compared to the normal conditions, it really was crazy fishing.

Out of respect for the inmate in the photos TRM deliberately did not promote it at the time as we did not think it would last. At the time the sneaky photographer was trying to avoid showing which pool or exactly where on the river we were fishing. Eventually, we realised it did not matter. The TRM inmate not shown in the photos was landing over thirty per day. It went on day after day. True!

It was too easy. Back then they were all hooked on a big fat cicada. The trout would instantly react to the splash of the cicada landing and monster it. Even when my poor cast landed behind the sighted fish, they would spin around to grab it just as another big brown would head for it. Unbelievable action. It was probably the most exciting fishing I have ever experienced on the Tongariro River.

It was also interesting as by then in early March the cicada hatch was well over. But nobody told the trout. After feeding on cicadas for the month prior that was all the trout were focused on.

The lower river and the Braids in particular were thrashed. All the smaller shallow slower side streams were producing. The run on the TRB from the lower Bridge Pool around in front of Tongariro Lodge was very popular. It is too shallow now since the 2022 flood of over 600 cumecs filled it full of silt but with the increased flow from 6 March these little runs should be targeted. The lower river has changed a lot since then but the pool selection did not seem to matter. Everywhere down river was firing…

This sustained six week flush out should also be good to move much of the sediment, sand, pumice, ash, etc. down to the delta and out into Lake Taupo. There are still many pools with sand banks of soft mush that need moving as they cover and destroy all the insect life – caddis etc. – in the river. This six weeks long flush should clean up the river bed and all that will remain are the productive spawning gravels.