Continuing our series of Tongariro River Motel guests replying to the questions and commenting on why they keep returning to the Tongariro River…

1        Name, brief background, where do you live. age, etc.?
Trev . I have amber and black flowing though my veins but currently imprisoned in Melbourne throwing darts at the board quoting in the construction industry . When going to sporting events ie league, rugby or aerial ping pong ( Aussie Rules – which surprising is a great  game to watch live) I will normally have my Taranaki jersey on and the TRM cap . Its amazing how many times at such occasions I hear the cry of “ Go the Naki “

2        When and where did you start fishing the Tongariro?
First had a flick about 1990 but became addicted around 2005 . Was a real salty up till then and had done trips to the 3 Kings and Ranfurly Banks as well as chasing game fish but the first time I played a decent size trout I became hooked so to speak

3        What was your reason to start and keep returning to the Tongariro?
Dad and my brother use to catch up for a week every year and eventually I got talked into it . As I live overseas the opportunity to spend time with family and friends whilst having a couple too many drinks on occasions whilst having a fish is too good an opportunity to pass up
As you correctly write in your reports Turangi is half way from everywhere . The catch up we had the week of the rugby WC inmates came from Tauranga , New Plymouth , Auckland , Hamilton and one pulled out at the last minute from Gisborne
When you live in a concrete jungle the scenery on offer the length of the Tongariro is enough to want to keep coming back regardless of whether you fish or not . Plus there is no bloody snakes.

(Photo of Trev’s mentor – Crafty Hanover admiring an olive woolly bugger)

4        Which is your favourite pool?  Why?
I settled on the tail of Cattle Rustlers by a  bee’s dick mostly because it takes a bit of effort to get there and usually you have the pool all to yourself . Many a time I just get up there and lie on the beach and sit and stare at the beauty of the place and may even have a bit of a kip

5        Your most forgettable and/or unforgettable Tongariro incident?
Fishing in Duchess Pool (see video instruction below) with Dad . I waded out on the sand bank that use to be there a few years ago to fish the opposite side . Crafty was yelling out  you’re  about to step into a hole , there was another bloke at the tail of the pool also yelling at me as well . Stupid buggers were wasting their time as I couldn’t  hear a thing as the noise of the rapids where the only things my hearing aids where picking up . Bang fish on and I’m starting to move as the fish wants to head down river .Crafty and the other bloke are waving and yelling at me and I’m thinking they may have sighted the fish and it’s a trophy ….. boy are they getting excited
Eventually without any drama I played it to the bank , donged it on the head wondering how they could get so excited about a 3 pounder and finally listened to what they had been trying to tell me for . I looked at the hole and told them I knew it was there all the time. Well it’s a fishing story and as you are known to have artistic licence in some of your reports a we lie about my knowledge can slip through to the keeper here . However a very good lesson was learnt that day and I now take the time to view any pool I  fish as I have had many a swim over the years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6        Your best Tongariro achievement?
Surprisingly it’s about one that got away . I was at the head of Major Jones when my nymph got absolutely smashed . Up and down the pool I went , prior to leaping in the air numerous times I’m sure I could have surfed the bow wave this fish was creating . After having it on for a considerably length of time once again I was down at the tail of the pool . It then turned on me and was headed back upstream when it exploded out of the water , walked on its tail looked me in the eye , winked and then spat the hook . Probably my first reaction was to use words that one prop may say to another just before a punch is thrown , but then both arms where raised in the air , with fists clenched I punched the air and let out a yell of exhilaration . The old boys on the other side of the bank must have been having their nightly committee meeting and they yelled out “ son you couldn’t have played that fish any better “ . As you know when I got back to the motel I had a smile from ear to ear and it hasn’t left my face any time I think about it

7        What do you like most about the Tongariro?
Fishing , rugby , Speights , catching up with family and friends , a laundry assistant , SWMBO , walking the dogs but most of all the scenery and the feeling off peace whilst standing in a river watching an indicator glide down stream

8        Which is your favourite fishing style – dry? nymph? streamer?
Really !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven’t gone to the dark side like someone I could mention > But he bloody out fished the lot of us last time

9        Your favourite Tongariro fly fishing trip?
The one that I wasn’t even on !!!!!!!!! Setting the old man up with a secret admirer that had dropped off a bottle of rum . Wish I could have been there to join in the banter . Thanks for making this happen mate

10    Anything else would you like to add?  Please include photos…
Yep , DON’T CHANGE A THING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trev