Just have a squiz at the great condition of these early spawners.  If you want a surprise, make sure you scroll all the way down.  They confirm we are in for a another great winter season.

It is about time we had some fishy inmates’ images.  Above and on right are Luke & Roger from West Island.

May must have been “Australian Month” at TRM.  We cannot praise the continuing procession of fishos from West Island enough.

Kiwis naturally take the Tongariro River and other tributaries into Lake Taupo for granted.  But these tourist anglers constantly remind us of just what a precious 100% pure natural resource we have.

They could not believe we allow the council to landscape the river bed with bulldozers and diggers timed perfectly for their visit.  Neither could we!  They asked several times how we allow our fishery managers could permit it?  It is very difficult to justify to anglers.

So this is another reminder to all Kiwis to continue to be aware and vigilant about the protection of our precious Tongariro River environment.

Angler apathy is our real enemy.

If we want to maintain and keep it the way it is we have to be prepared to fight for it.

Otherwise it could end up like some of those appalling South Island rivers.

And mentioning the other island – specially for Australian anglers – a reminder that this is a wild fishery, the Tongariro River and other Taupo rivers are open all year, compared to down South where they nearly all close at the end of May.  Only the tops of the tributaries, where there is generally very limited angler access anyway, are closed for spawning.

Now we have encouraged all the weekend anglers to rush off to the TT (Tauranga Taupo River) we can show you some of what TRM inmates have been catching all last week on the Tongariro – within walking distance of TRM.

These two Australian inmates have been fishing here for the last nine days and enjoyed the late Autumn conditions that so many Kiwis are so quick to criticise…

Then we had David Mead back again  for 6 days from the Mornington Peninsula Club.

Then we had eight other anglers from West Island organised by Henry Heron – image above on right – they really came over to play golf but needed a change of scenery and recreation by fishing the Tongariro instead.

With the addition of TRM lucky hats even their golf scores improved .

For some of them it was their first time fly fishing so they had a lot of fun with guides organised by Andrew at Sporting Life.

At the same time we have enjoyed having Ian, Peter & Geoff back again for the last 14 days.

They have been regular Tongariro junkies for about the last 15 years or so.

It is great to see them back at the start of each winter spawning season.

Above is Geoff, on right is Ian.  Just pause again for a second and admire the condition of their trout.

Taupo trout really do taste so much better than trout from other rivers elsewhere – something to do with their Lake Taupo environment and diet of whitebait (smelt) and koura (freshwater crayfish) for three years before they enter the rivers on their spawning runs.

They are and taste like what they eat, so anything raised on that special diet has to be better than fish from other rivers raised on other insect life.

The third member of their Melbourne team on right is Peter Morrison with his 8 filleted trout, 7 split in halves and 1 big hog in quarters, all perfectly smoked and vacuum packed for export back to Melbourne, complete with his official export certificate.  This is what we want to show to other anglers from West Island hoping to take some smoked trout home.

TRM do have our own electric smoker for inmates use – below right – free of charge.  That is OK if you want to eat the trout that night.

But if you want a professional job then SWMBO strongly recommend to take them to FARMERS DISCOUNT MEATS at Taupo  – a wonderful proper butcher shop just like they used to be in Paetiki Shopping Centre, corner Rifle Range Road & Taharepa Roads.

They are Taupo’s original smoke house.  Nobody does it better.  TRM inmates have been using them for the last 14 years very successfully.  OK?

Luke again releasing another beaut jack Rainbow – look at the girth and great condition!

And just when you thought you had seen it all… here are the latest Tongariro fashion – trout “tats”.  They are still a work in progress on an un-named inmate.  SWMBO is next…