Tongariro River Motel Daily report for 23 January:
(For latest Daily Report click on DAILY REPORT heading above)
Tongariro River Motel is often suspiciously regarded by tourist guests as more of a casual social group of wader-clad like-minded inmates posing as a fly fishing club at times.
TRM’s Daily Report yesterday (Go to DAILY REPORT heading above and click on 22 January) – a delightful reminiscence of Keith Draper and their group (“Anglers Recreational, Social and Educational Union of Practitioners”, a name which became much less of a mouthful when reduced to the acronym) – was a reminder that TRM have developed our own special sub-cultural group in Turangi too.
The BOF’s.
To qualify as a full member of this unique fly fishing club, anglers need to plan better and book well ahead.
SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is TRM’s Manager) hates declining booking requests from regular anglers but it still does happen when they fail to book ahead.
i.e. For February over 60% of TRM units are already booked out – mainly by BOF’s..
True!
(Memo to Head Office: Obviously TRM’s room rates must be too cheap?)
For next month nearly all forward bookings are regular fly fishing guests from Australia, UK, USA, etc. although there are a few Kiwis amongst them too.
SWMBO thought you might be interested in a brief pen picture of the regular style and quirky nature and infinite variety of some of February’s fishy guests – usually referred to as inmates – that choose TRM.
We cannot mention any guests’ roll of honour without mentioning our most regular inmate who is well known to our regular TRM fishos.
Brian has been staying here regularly for over 18 years.
Every fortnight he joins us and other anglers for our Chinese take-aways banquet which usually develops into a fishing discussion – aka lying competition.
Fortunately Brian is the exception being a salt-water fisho so does not add any angler pressure on the Tongariro and always introduces some mature common sense to the fly fishing table to remind us there are other species out there somewhere.
Similarly some of TRM’s anglers have been regular visitors to the Tongariro River for the same period. So we must be doing something right.
Of course we should not under-estimate the significance of the Tongariro River in their decision.
What is also pleasing is that they all have different fishing styles.
We trust they will not mind us revealing their usual programmes – which they never follow anyway as they always have alternative Plan B & C & D just in case and designed to confuse any other potentially competing fishos.
That is traditional for fishermen and quite normal irrational behaviour for TRM inmates.
After fly fishing throughout this region for so long they know the unreliable weather patterns and plan for wet day options accordingly.
Unit 1 is a regular Australian Pom from Newcastle, his last trip was October 2011, here for 2 weeks on his summer assault, another Lake O junkie in the TRM “water-strider” raft.
Also later in Feb is a UK angler staying 5 nights in Unit 1 for his intro to the Tongariro River.
Unit 2 is from Adelaide, a regular fly fisho here for 2 weeks, (finally persuaded away from the South Island weather!) a Tongariro junkie who prefers snooping around the upper river.
Unit 3 is the Okker overstayer (who now calls Brisbane home? – although to the best of our knowledge he does not have a home there? His only real home is TRM.).
His last extended visit was November & December and is already back for another month or so. He prefers patrolling the Braids – within easy walking distance of TRM. He even keeps his car here…
He also acts as TRM’s fishing guide for Tongariro newbies and casting novices at times.
Unit 4 has a more usual traditional mixture of Kiwi fishos staying shorter periods as regrettably they also have to work for a living.
Unit 5 is a regular angler from Ballarat whose last trip was in November 2011. He is back for another two weeks sentence and usually thrashes the lower Tongariro or has been seen taking the TRM tinny over to Lake O. Also occasionally seen sneaking out at night during happy hour.
Unit 6 appear to be the exception being good Kiwis from the far North. Their last stay was in October 2011. They usually patrol the middle river pools. Their visits are more spiritual being as much about stress relief and relaxing and resting as fishing.
Unit 7 is from Denmark, back for three weeks. He reminded us he wants to repeat his last performance on the Tongariro River when he landed a ten pound plus brown. They have also booked out two of TRM’s trail bikes for three weeks.
Unit 8 have shorter term guests – each of one week only – fly fishos from Auckland & UK & Germany, sucked in here for the first time.
Units 9 & 10 are smaller self contained studios not as suitable for longer term angling tenancies so are reserved for lucky tourists… or fishing emergencies when inmates desperately need a fix…
Unit 11 is another regular visitor from USA, here again for a three months fly fishing crusade spread between Turangi and some other remote un-named secret rivers in the South Island. He keeps his camper van here for touring. He should feel guilty but has his priorities in better order than most other corporate bunnies.
Apart from yourself, he is arguably our most successful angler. Note he is also fishing here the most too.
I wonder if there is a connection?
Many of these fishy guests from different parts of the globe now know each other well and contribute greatly to TRM’s fun and knowledge of the local hot spots – if you can believe them?
Despite their boasts, SWMBO can always judge them and advise other inmates where the real action is. So now you may have a better appreciation of the peculiar nature of TRM turning from just another sterile boring motel into more of a special fly fishing club from time to time.
The self appointed Club “President for life” is Boof – TRM’s boxer. (Boring Official Old Fart?) That is the only official appointment the “Club” has made in the last seven years, out of over fifty years that TRM has survived. The rogues gallery images above include a few of the “chosen ones” – TRM executive Komiti members who have been promoted from inmates to BOF’s (Boring Old Farts) status. If you are struggling to recognise some of them, that is fine…
There is still time for you to join too. Membership is very exclusive. All you have to do is love life, have infectious enthusiasm for fly fishing the Tongariro, and stay here often enough for the TRM culture to grow on you. You will never regret it.
You really should be here to attend the February AGM but you may now have to wait until March, or April or May?
More fly fishermen stay at Tongariro River Motel:
Tongariro River Motel anglers catch more big trout than anyone else on the Tongariro River and in the Taupo region. There! If you doubt it read on…
(Tongariro River Motel is situated within easy walking distance of the Tongariro River – i.e. The images are to illustrate TRM located in the trees below a few hundred metres from Judges Pool above. Anglers access tracks extend along both sides of the river.)
Tongariro River Motel’s last review by Trip Advisor :
“Highly recommend for location and value for money”
Reviewed 9 December 2011
Stayed here during winter and found it to be a tidy and quiet motel. It’s a stunning drive into National Park from here so was a good base for skiing in winter. Also, with it being just a shortish drive to Taupo it was ideal when the mountain was closed! I imagine it would be an equally good place to stay in summer for walks in the area and activities around the river and lake. Our unit had everything we needed and plenty of space. Really enjoyed chatting to motel owners Pip and Ross who pointed us in the direction of a good walk along the river and happily shared fishing tips. Pip keeps beautiful gardens around the units. Highly recommend for location and value for money.
- Stayed September 2011, travelled as a couple (Scored 5/5 for following:)
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- Value
- Location
- Sleep Quality
- Rooms
- Cleanliness
- Service
“Peace & quiet…”
Reviewed September 25, 2011
When you want to get away from the hustle & bustle, even if you’re not a avid fisher-person or snow-bunny, try this place. It is a stones throw from the magnificent Tongariro River and an absolutely beautiful walkway along the banks of the river. I was lucky enough to be able to take my 4-legged friend with me and it is absolutely doggy heaven on earth being able to walk along that walkway every day – of course “Boof” (the gorgeous motel dog) had to come too, no show without Punch. There are also numerous other areas along the river banks for exercising dogs (and humans), a fantastic playground to explore on foot. The river is therapy for the soul, but a lot cheaper. Ross & Pip are just amazing, so helpful and friendly – you could not ask for better hosts. The motel rooms are not extravagant, they are basic but are very clean and have everything you need to be very comfortable. A very calming and relaxing place to be, my family have been going there for 30+ years (4 generations now) and will continue to do so for many yet I suspect.
(Many thanks to anon guests. We blame Boof of course…)
Latest review in an independent tourist guide:
the ROUGH GUIDE to New Zealand:
“Simple but comfortable motel that’s hugely popular with fishers, partly for its rod racks and smoker, but mainly because of the ebullient owner, Ross, who runs a lively website on everything to do with Turangi and trout fishing in particular.”
What can we say?
Thank you Rough Guide…
They are soooo modest.
Did you know that TRM have two “water-strider” individual rafts available for anglers on Lake O.
Did you know that TRM have mountain bikes for fishos to access upper river pools or ride the tracks.
Did you know that TRM have a smoke house free for guests – limited to 20 trout at a time.
Did you know that TRM are the only motel with the new “Bucket list for the Tongariro River” map.
Did you know that TRM have free broad band wi-fi internet access available FOC for fishos.
Did you know that TRM have a Personal Trainer (image on right) waiting for guests?
Did you know that TRM provide the only Daily Fishing Report for the Tongariro River and beyond.
Did you know that TRM have the only pools ratings chart and map for 50 Tongariro pools.
Did you know that TRM offers free use of laundry – free washing machine, dryer, even soap powder.
Did you know that TRM have latest Target Taupo and back copies and all other fishy magazines.
Did you know that TRM rafts also float just as well on Lake Kuratau. What? Never been there? So sad…
Now you know why more anglers stay at TRM….
Check out the GUEST COMMENTS above.
Another guest rave:
Just before we left on SWMBO’s Christmas Shopping Leave (?) in late November a delightful enthusiastic young at heart fisho couple booked into Tongariro River Motel.
Doris and Dan Burke are from New Hampshire, USA. They booked in for two or three nights with the aim of briefly fly fishing the Tongariro River on their way to the South Island.
They left almost three weeks later…
We are explaining their itinerary for a reason… The following Blog posted by Doris will be of interest to other tourists: The image at the top is Dan fishing the Tongariro River below the Braids. They stayed in Rotorua at the Waiteti Stream Lodge where their fishing guide – the famous Trout Man – Harvey Clark (Hi Harvey) gave them his local tiki tour and recommended TRM as their base for their Taupo fishing. Then they visited the Ngongotaha Hatchery where a Fish & Game Councillor advised they were not allowed to stay any where else… With that level of loyal support TRM are so fortunate… There is no better advertising than such personal recommendations from other anglers. Thanks guys.
Following extract from latest blog from Doris & Dan (from New Hampshire) – now visiting South Island.
……….. The North Island’s Central Plateau just happens to be the “Trout Fishing Capital of the World”! And that fact stopped us in our travels. A 2-day stop, turned into a 2-week stay, purchase of a country-wide fishing license and new fly-rod and waders! The water is gin-clear, the trout are the size of our salmon and the rivers, streams and lakes are uncrowded, completely open to anyone with a license and without the need for an expensive guide. Most amazingly, the fishermen here are more than happy to share their favorite spots, and even move over to give you a chance to catch “the big one”! As they say, “no worries mate, plenty of fish for all of us”!
We were lucky enough to get a “tip” on a place to stay in Turangi – the center of trout fishing. Upon our arrival at the “Tongariro River Motel”, before being assigned our cottage, Danny was measured for a pair of waders and a choice of fly rods to use during our stay all inclusive! Although the managers were leaving the next day on their own holiday, they made sure Dan was set up to fish and introduced to the temporary manager, Brent, who was only too happy to fish with Dan, map out unique pools and share his knowledge of these prize fish. As Brent remarked more than once … magic! This perfect set-up of a 2-bedroom home of our own, great fishing & an attentive “guide” were the reasons for our extended stay (and possibly a return before we leave New Zealand). If we’ve convinced anyone to come try New Zealand’s fishing, make sure to stay at here!
This is also the location of one of New Zealand’s much promoted “Great Walks” – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Hardly a walk, it was an 8-hour, 12+ mile hike into the world of Mordor and alongside Mt. Doom of the Lord of the Rings movie fame. Mostly volcanic rock and loose scree, it’s an other-worldly landscape. And then you get to the top, on a clear day, which we had, and you see for miles. Simply spectacular!……
There is no better way to assess a motel than by such personal recommendations – click on GUEST COMMENTS above… .
