Photos of trout below have been disqualified from TRM’s raft fishing competition as the angler, Mark Gibb from Cambridge, obviously had assistance.

Above team of Tongariro River trail bikers, Amy Gibb, Lauren Gibb and Shaun Hazelton told SWMBO they were specially sent out to spot for trout from the trail and report back only to Mark.

SWMBO advises that is not in the new rules that She just made up so cannot be included in the raft fishing trip prize.

Mark commented:  “A few pics, 20 fish whilst here, no angling pressure on the river – great few days for the family.”

These fresh run trout must have sneaked up after the rain on the weekend and were caught in a pool somewhere below Blue Pool – I think.

TRM cannot describe the location too accurately as Mark landed 11 (yes, that is eleven) from one single little no-name pool.  Before we can advise where, we need to check it out thoroughly first – not just take one angler’s opinion.  It might have been just lucky?  TRM would hate to misdirect you.

Perceptive anglers will also note how Mark had cleverly trimmed his photo so you cannot tell which pool…

But the fact is there are plenty of good sized well conditioned trout – some freshies, some recovering from spawning, some recovering after being released by Mark, etc. – all throughout the Tongariro at the moment.

As long as anglers are prepared to move around and adjust their rig for the conditions they should do well.