Following a request for any changes to the Duchess Pool after the two 700+ cumec floods earlier in 2025, last Friday Juno escorted me over Red Hut bridge where I took the following photos to send to him. The flow was just over 30 cumecs at that time.

The upper river looked great. Only one angler was seen hiding underneath the swing bridge. Tourists enjoy this loop of the upper river natural environment for the views. This is the upper crossing on the 15 km Tongariro River Trail. What a beautiful place…

Looking up the bypass towards the Shag Pool.

Looking downriver towards the Duchess Pool.

Looking up river from the base of the Duchess Pool.

Take the 60 steps up river to enjoy the view and return through the ferns along the bike trail.

Looking downriver towards the Shag Pool, you can almost smell the trout…

Below is a brief video of an inmate from West Island demonstrating how to fish the Duchess Pool, taken 11 years ago.