Featured angler today is well known local identity, Eric Wilson (Secretary/Treasurer of the Advocates) with a well conditioned rainbow which was smoked last night. 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.
Today the Tongariro River remains clear and low and “challenging” for TRM inmates. Everyone keeps on suggesting “summer conditions” but that is a bit difficult for TRM’s early morning fishos to come to terms with when hands are frozen and rod guides ice up in -0 degrees every morning. At least they are followed by beautiful sunny days.
SWMBO typically enthusiastically reminds anglers just to enjoy being out there and not worry about the catch rate. She is probably correct.
Some good rain is forecast on Sunday. That figures as the North Shore Fly Fishing Club will be spread all over the river during this weekend. As soon as they head for home you can guarantee it will rain. Last time we had a full day of rain it went missing across the canal to Lake Rotoaira and through the turbines instead of flowing down the Tongariro. So the effects on the fishing were minimal really. Quite frustrating for some scribes who had promised good fishing…
So first the good news – the success story was Willy from Auckland who almost made it to TRM when he noticed there was no one fishing in the usual prize spot below the bridge – below on the RHS island. He couldn’t wait to have a flick so he parked there and rushed in. By the time he booked in to TRM – another 300 metres down the road, he had caught and released three.
The bad news was the story of a fishing guide whose client caught a really good conditioned rainbow in the Hinemaia, up near the limit pool, and left it hanging in a tree while they checked out the last couple of pools. When they returned it had gone…
