Sometimes TRM just can’t win. On Tuesday a West Island angler, GW, who has a holiday cottage near TRM, called in to have his usual bitch about the quality of Tongariro fishing – claiming it is the worst ever!
He grizzled on that all his fishing mates – other visitors – were all complaining too. So TRM inmates must be full of BS? That hurts… as it is so misleading.
We ignored similar complaints from him in previous seasons but this was too much. In the interests of the reputations of TRM inmates we need to correct the nonsense being spread by him.
TRM are usually reluctant to post score cards by inmates as it turns into a peeing contest and we do not want to offend inmates, but in this case, to convince him, we need to be more specific and have named the offenders – with all catches achieved before GW was even out of bed – as follows:
(The images from top of the following three inmates are from TRM’s library)
1 Stuart Nicol from West Island landed 10 by lunch time on Friday at Lake O – a mixture of huge browns and Rainbows.
2 Scott Collins from Auckland landed over 12 in the ‘middle’ pools of the Tongariro River by lunch time on Saturday. He also lost a few. He returned on Saturday afternoon with similar numbers.
3 Richard Mowforth (above) from New Plymouth landed over 20 in 3 hours before lunch time on Saturday in the upper Tongariro River pools.
etc. We could go on but am sure you get the picture why TRM guests are offended by GW’s complaining. Both the Tongariro anglers walked/waded to spots where there was no angler pressure. Hint, hint.
All the above guests have now been ‘interviewed’ (interrogated?) by Hannah and have confirmed these catch numbers. Their “inmate interviews” will follow as soon as I train the computer how to suitably edit them for TRM reports.
We also argued that based on irrefutable physical evidence in TRM smoker and freezers, the fishing is fine. Indeed, over the last two weeks some had enjoyed their best fishing days ever, reports of hook-ups on every second or third casts, broken off regularly, five anglers hooked up at the same time, etc. But he just scoffed. TRM could not convince him at all. He knows best because he hadn’t caught any decent fish so then criticised TRM for promoting how good the fishing is….
GW admitted he is a very late riser – never starts fishing until the afternoons – and he had not hooked up in his favourite pool (Vera’s) for yonks. So you see what nonsense we have to put up with!
This was a classic case of an angler who should know better, suffering fixed ideas and lacking imagination, by arriving on the river after everyone else had caught their limit, not being prepared to move around more, and then complaining about it. So TRM are obliged to leap to the defence of the Tongariro and TRM anglers to correct his continual blathering of unfair criticism.
We referred GW to the ‘crystal clear’ message from Harvey Clark on TRM’s video – (see Daily Report for Wednesday) that early morning was best and consistently produced limit bags for everyone. GW says he knows Harvey well (although Harvey did not know of him?) as he has fished at Rotorua and Ngongataha often so hopefully he might respect the opinions of an independent experienced angler as he certainly does not believe TRM…
(Harvey on right swopping war stories with another very experienced Tongariro angler – Tony Bishop – on 7th September)
The fact that Harvey has often visited from Rotorua this season to fish the Tongariro should indicate something to him? But no – he is convinced he is correct – he continues to preach to everyone who will listen that the Tongariro fishing sucks? We could not make any impression on him at all.
So we were relieved to receive the following email and photo from an inmate this week (after all, we have a strong one hundred year old reputation to protect from such “bad mouthing bigots”) with confirmation that the Tongariro fishing cannot be too bad?
Hi Ross
Just wanted to say what a great place you have there – the fish smoker was a bonus & we used it a few times (the fishing was amazing – my best 3 days ever)
Also – a huge thanks to your very friendly staff, always smiling & gave us a wave every time we went past – certainly made our stay feel very welcome
I will be back again soon
Regards
Pete Jones
We might have to get Pete Jones to guide GW next time… Now that would be interesting.
In case GW still doesn’t believe us –
Similar messages from Greig Sports:
Nice day with a bit of sun and at the moment light winds. Tongariro River looked a picture when i went down for a quick fish this morning .Looking up and down the River it appeared that rod pressure was very light . Fishing was ok hooked a number of fish most fresh and the last fish that I hooked took me to the tail of the pool before breaking on 9/b gear. I had other reports from the weekend of big fish been hooked and one rainbow that was landed going 8/b .Wiri with a nice fresh hen from this morning how many young fellas are lucky enough to whizz on down to the river and catch several nice trout before school? Fishing should remain steady for the week the great spring fishing continues.Here to help with great prices and know how THE ARMY OF ONE.
Monday 10th October 2016
Fine and sunny start to the morning here in Turangi this morning. No wind as of 9:00am. The Tongariro is highly fishable today.
Wow!! There has been some great fishing on the Tongariro over the last week!! Awesome nymphing and fantastic wtlining conditions with the higher flows. The rain and extra flows have worked wonders. I received this email yesteday thanks to Wayne. He writes:
(Above & Below) The two fresh fish Wayne caught on Friday.
(Below) Wayne’s 6lbder.