Welcome to Tongariro River Motel

(Photo above of John Wheeler, well known local tramping identity, checking the depth of the crossing over the Waihaha Stream – below Tree Trunk Gorge – on 26 July.  Fortunately you cannot see or feel the temperature by glancing at the image.  The sides of all the large puddles were frozen.  This is all part of the thorough ongoing field research going into the Tongariro River Trail (“TRT”) to decide whether stepping stones are a better solution than bridges in such situations?.  Below are some substantial flood debris below this crossing which would have severely dealt to any bridge built here…

(Image above of Wilderness Magazine journalists - Pippa Brown and Dee Taylor – scoping the route for the Tongariro River Trail (“TRT”).  This was taken about a year ago.  Note the “temporary” wood trunk stepping stones (?), or rather stepping logs, installed by DoC across a stream between Pillars of Hercules and Tree Trunk Gorge.  After a year these stepping logs are still in place.  It is hoped that permanent larger safe stepping stones across several other Tongariro River tributary streams will be a fun feature on all the TRT stream crossings.)

TRM’s Management Team

Pip  (General Manager – “She Who Must Be Obeyed”) & Ross (Laundry Assistant) & Boof (Tour guide) in their working uniforms…

Fish Quality?

Featured angler above is well known local identity, Eric Wilson (Secretary/Treasurer of the Advocates) with a well conditioned rainbow which was landed on 28 July.  Eric has been fishing the Tongariro River for many years so his opinion is a good barometer of the quality of the fishing.  In the latest newsletter from the Advocates, under the heading of “Fish Quality”, he mentions:

Most anglers in mid-July were finding the fishing hard.  The same anglers were much happier with the condition of the fish being caught.  The fish are averaging 3 pound, maybe a little under, but are good fighting fish, good shape, and in the main, have good orange coloured flesh when opened up.  There has been a definite improvement in the fishery which is acknowledged in the latest Target Taupo.  If you are a full licence holder and have not received the July 2010 edition of Target Taupo then follow the advice at the bottom of your licence.  Email your name, address with postcode and licence number to targettaupo@xtra.co.nz or call (07) 384 7143.

To join the Advocates and keep up to date with everything happening on the Tongariro River go to LINKS.

Another Tongariro Trophy – the trout that is…

Congratulations to David Larner from Clarendon (South of Dunedin) with his trophy 13.9 pound (6.3 kg) Brown jack, over 30 inches (78 cm) long,  Hydro Pool, Tongariro River  21 June.

(Now being mounted by Rick Jenkins at Taupo.  Rick says this is one of the best conditioned browns he has seen for many years.)

Attention Anglers:

TRM announce a new website!

Go to: http://tongarirorivertrail.co.nz

You will be amazed…