TRM was asked about angler pressure on the Tongariro River during the new restrictions. Not too much has changed. I used this as an excuse to escape for a one hour circuit of the town pools so the images could provide the answer.

The early morning and mid-morning shifts had both finished below the road bridge but at 11am there were still anglers thrashing the most popular pool in NZ. All were nymphing but I did not see any hook-ups while I passed over the bridge. Two fish had sneaked through the ambush and were recovering above the bridge but none were seen below.

A couple more anglers were patrolling the lower bridge pool in the distance. The lower river has been getting most of the pressure while the middle and upper pools remain almost neglected.

Trout were identified further upriver towards the swing bridge everywhere I looked. One in particular I spotted could have been trophy size Rainbow. The trout outnumbered the anglers by about ten to one.

Most tourists were walking dogs, riding bikes, families with prams, everyone out exercising in the beautiful calm winter conditions. The river was low and clear and looked very inviting.

The only active angler was this lady in the tail of Major Jones Pool. About six trout were seen making cautious progress smelling their way upriver below her so I hope she persevered until they got within casting range.

We live in such a beautiful part of the world, even at “Level 2″…