So far for TRM inmates the fishing on the Tongariro River during the spawning runs could be described as erratic.

At the moment on a stunning spring day everyone is catching fish and everyone is happy.  But a few days ago others were struggling.

These are generally experienced Tongariro anglers who remain confused by the erratic pattern.  Perhaps after the 2017 season their expectations have been raised too high?

Or so far only small runs have occurred with the best still to arrive?

Some anglers were working hard to report one landed per day.  Meanwhile we have had complete novices – one a first time angler with his Dad – landing three.  Others hooked up on their first cast.  Others were achieving double figures.

So it is all over the place as far as consistency and reliability is concerned.  That may be why it is called “fishing”.

Some pools – i.e. Judges – have failed to fire.  If you look closely you might identify a sand bank that has moved down the river over the last year, although it is more spread out now.

We are told this moving sand-bank includes ash which is toxic to the trout and covers all the spawning gravels and the caddis etc. – food supply for trout, so they appear to flash through such areas without holding.

But as the images show, other anglers have been very pleased.

There does not appear to be any pattern of pools predominating.

The Bridge Pool and the side-stream on TRB below the lower Bridge Pool past Tongariro Lodge have been hammered.

The only pattern is that the condition of trout continues to be excellent with the odd slab turning up from now on.

For evidence of the general condition in the top image is Andre Clarke with two solid Jack Rainbow keepers out of five landed on Saturday in Cicada Pool.

Then on right above is Alan Cliffe with his Monday morning result from Reed Pool followed on left is Patrick Clement with his from the Poutu Pool.

The three lower images were from another West Islander on his annual crusade to TRM – Peter West.  He takes these images as his Aussie fishing mates need reminding on what Rainbow trout are supposed to look like.

The fine spring weather has arrived and it is looking good for the next week.