It has been an unusual fishing season on the Tongariro River leading into winter but now the weather has settled down and the annual spawning runs are under way – as judged by the results in TRM’s freezer and smoke house.

Up until now the daily catch results have been more erratic than usual. During March-April-May the Tongariro River was flooded, both by wet weather and by the power company that closed off the canal across to Lake Rotoaira. This effectively doubled the flow and made fly casting more difficult. Then, after the canal reopened, continual wet windy weather spoilt the experience.

TRM had various fishy groups and clubs booked in and their catch rates varied. It was either hot or cold, depending on where they fished and particularly how much they were prepared to move around.

Turangi has missed out on all the wet weather over the last few months. The February storm dealt to the forest and many trees were shredded or blown over. Immediately locally mature English deciduous trees were blown over on Taupahi Road to the south of TRM and in the park on the opposite side of SH1 next to the school. TRM copped it as well and many older trees that got shredded were dying and have since been removed. SInce then the recent local weather has been beautiful fine days, no wind, river clear and low at around 27 cumecs., just perfect.

Now we are relieved to report that everyone appears to be catching fish. The only complaints are about the ones that got away. Yesterday one inmate complained about 7 hookups, two landed, etc. A fifty/fifty landing rate is about normal and is a direct reflection of the good condition of these ‘silver bullets’ on their spawning runs.

Previous reports mentioned the changes below and around the SH1 road bridge. The Daisy Pool has a team permanently camping there now on the TRB. The number of anglers – mainly wet lining – seen stretched out below the bridge today was probably the most we have seen in 2023.

The best results have been from those prepared to waddle in waders some distance from the car parks – both downriver and well upriver. You will understand that we cannot reveal the names of pools or rather the exact locations of a couple of spots that have performed really well. Only TRM inmates know them and some are still here.

Meanwhile the BBC organised a contest where contestants were challenged to write something – in one sentence – that expressed feelings of:

“suspense, curiosity, apprehension, peace, tranquility, anger, violence, anxiety, pleasantness, and happiness”.

We are advised the winning entry was from an angler:

“My wife is not talking to me.“