Remember TRM’s story about some “old” bloke who helped the two vikings – Borge Dreyer & Arne Hebnes – photos on right – to catch a trout. TRM’s head housekeeper – Flora, has now tracked him down. We think his kind actions were very special but typical of many retired Tongariro anglers, he was so modest about it all and reluctant to take any praise – but we can now identify him.
He is James Morrison, who originally came from Melbourne to retire in Paradise so he can go trout fishing for wild trout all year. Many thanks James – a TRM hat is on its way. In case you missed it the original story is below:
The Viking Raiders warm fuzzy story…
Last Thursday evening two keen novice student anglers (from The Norwegian Angling Academy, led by their teacher Eskil Roekke) went exploring up the Tongariro River to try to discover a pool to catch a trout by themselves. The two young vikings were Borge Dreyer & Arne Hebnes – That is their photo on right. (Can you identify their Scandinavian Viking heritage?)
Eventually they found a promising spot where they thought they could see the trout feeding but the fish ignored their casting efforts. How frustrating… After a while an “old” (these kids are only 18 years old so anyone over thirty would be classified as “old”) local angler wandered along and checked on their progress. The Norwegians welcomed his offer of help to show them what they might have been doing wrong and to see if he was more successful. He demonstrated his casting style and of course hooked up immediately…
The Vikings were so impressed, so after the benefit of one-on-one lessons from him on how to improve their casting technique – firing out heavier nymphs and how to improve their presentation and mending to achieve a natural drift, etc. they tried again, but still struggled to interest the trout. So the old angler then rejigged their lines and removed their nymphs to tie on his own hand-tied versions and they tried again. Immediate success! They were so pumped.
They reported back this morning that they were so thrilled and thankful for the tuition. The “old” angler had spent about two hours with them so they were very grateful. I asked around the motel in case it was any of TRM’s inmates that had been so helpful So far five have claimed responsibility in the hope of a reward… If that “old” angler recognises himself then we have a lucky TRM hat waiting for him.
Tongariro “buddy” system works!
This “buddy system” is not unusual. Yesterday – Tuesday – a German tourist from Unit 2 who came here to walk the crossing but stayed on an additional two nights so he could go trout fishing. On his first attempt on his own he was unsuccessful so some other inmates suggested he should go out with them. The result – He is cleaning his ‘giant’ trout for smoking as I prepare this.
Then another two Australian anglers were taken boating out somewhere on Lake O with another angler who offered to take them out.I can confidently predict they will do well after Roy Richardson reported in yesterday he had the best two day’s fishing on Lake O that he had ever experienced. He lost count!
The other motels in Turangi will all have similar stories of fishos linking up with others to find out what, where, how, etc.There is such a great spirit of camaraderie amongst our inmates sharing knowledge and expertise. The fishing guides must hate it…
Enjoy the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjnP3ImfB7A
Who needs to travel to Twizel? Russ O’Brien with a 10 pound Rainbow trout from Lake Taupo – thanks for image from Taupo Rod & Tackle.