Note how all these anglers are leaning on wading poles.  Very wise…

On just one day last week we had two anglers report breathlessly on their escape from a cold wet dunking.  One obviously deserved it as he had gone over to the dark side.  He was wet lining and waded out too deep down river – beyond Jones Pool – and was really fortunate to get back.  The soft sandy river bed made it difficult to get a grip.

The other anon angler was wading in the Braids and blamed the strong current combined with slippery slimy stones for his dunking.  Unfortunately we were not there to get photos.  TRM cannot identify him as he is a regular inmate.  Last week he was staying at Creel with friends so it must have been a big call (i.e. he must have been desperate) to have to call in to TRM for two wading poles.

The key to TRM “wading poles” is the cord attached to loop around the neck and let go while one is casting.  Then it can be easily retrieved to move up river or return to the bank. The cord is also very useful as a carrying handle to lug six trout back to TRM smoker.

One day a few years ago we watched this un-named angler really struggle to cross over the tail of Vera’s Pool.  He made us nervous just watching him slipping and sliding his way across.  If he had carried a wading pole it would have been easy.  OK?  It may be more important than you imagine as SWMBO cannot afford to lose guests.

Following is reproduced from the TRM Report last June when SWMBO was awarding our style of Queens Birthday honours to locals for their outstanding service to the fishing community.

…. Next is TRM’s wading pole suppliers – some anglers would not survive without them!  The 2018 new stock of anglers special wading poles has arrived for TRM inmates.  It is often these little things in life that are so important.  Tiny things that nice friendly people do in Turangi are never measured or considered in any official list.  But TRM recognises and acknowledges them…

Next we have Wendy & Sue from Turangi ski hire.

Every year since they started they have supplied TRM anglers with wading poles.  These poles are brilliant, almost a third leg, when wading on slippery stones in the Tongariro.  TRM always recommend them to anglers to avoid a cold wet dunking and prevent injuries.  In fact many find the poles are so helpful in assisting their wading access that they often forget to return them…  So at the start of each winter season TRM’s supply of wading poles are replaced by Turangi Ski Hire.  How thoughtful and considerate.  Great people.