13 August 2010 x Christchurch:
TRM Guest’s Report dated 13 August:
(Photos by Brendon Mathews from TRM’s library)
Thirty months have passed since the Taupo region was home to me and the family and a visit back to the hallowed fishery of fisheries was in order. The Mainland is now home, yet despite all the fishing available there’s nothing there (or anywhere else for that matter) that comes within in light years of what the Taupo fishery offers. With my constant ear bashing of how amazing Taupo is, a buddy suggested a trip up as he’d not done it before. We hatched our own plans of how we’d convince our wives of the merits of such a trip. While Grant was forced to abandon the trip just a few days out due to unforeseen business commitments, my weeks leave pass was secure from my version of SWMBO (W.I.F.E – Washing, Ironing, Food & Entertainment). I arrived looking forward to reacquainting myself with the winter fishery and all she offers.
It’s not that I hadn’t been back; far from it, but that those visits were only the passing-through sort, which afforded a night or two at best. Having guided the area I know that when coming from afar, it’s a total lottery ticket with regard to conditions and the only real way to hedge your bets is to come for a longer period of time.
So glo bugs were tied, indicators hatched, gear de-didymo’d. Even the timing looked good. It hadn’t rained for 4 weeks prior to the trip so the impending forecast of rubbish weather was just what the good doctor ordered. My last full season was 2007 (remember the year of the small fish?) and with all the recent hype of the fishery finally being on the mend I had anticipated a memorable return.
Being based at TRM is the ideal launching pad for a serious fishing expedition. While I must confess I have a strong bias, where else can you stay where the motel is for, by and of anglers. Sounds like the ultimate democracy except you can’t vote them in or out every three years. Why would you want to, or need to? They know what anglers want – and they give it to them. Even SWMBO caters for the non-anglers in a group!! But seriously, it was a no brainer choosing TRM. They’ve even got a free fish smoker and rod holders in the units. How good is that?
The Fishing
The striking thing about the pressure anglers place on the Taupo fishery, and the Tongariro in particular, is that when you visit you’ll find the anglers are concentrated like sardines in a can despite the trout being spread throughout the waterways. This means a short 5-10 minute walk will put you into clear water where there are unlikely to be other anglers. I only wish fishing was that easy on the Mainland. To illustrate the point, one morning I walked down stream from the Red Hutt Carpark to fish with my roommate, the one and only Hardy walking encyclopedia, founding member of the TRM BOF (Boring Old Fart) Club and true gentleman Mr. Malcolm Fry esq.
On my way to the pre-arranged meeting place at the mumble-mumble spot I observed a typical tally of anglers in the following outstanding fishing locations. Red Hutt – 0. Shag Hutt – 0. Shag – 0. Duchess – 0. Silly – 0. Upper Birch – 0. Lower Birch – 0. Barlows – 0. Cattle Rustlers. Yet further downstream reports later arrived telling of Hydro – 5. Breakfast – 3. Major Jones – 5. Judges – 7. Trolls under Bridge – 8. Braids – 6. It’s never been any different on the Tongariro and provides ample opportunity to fish in peace and quiet with just the gurgling of the river and dawn chorus of birds for company. It’s wonderful stuff.
I had a number of visitors during my stay and among us all (including Mr. Fry) we managed to harass over 60 trout for the week. Notable catches were a 5lb brown from the Hydro and several other rainbows nudging 6lbs. We fished the mouths of the Waimarino, T.T, Hinemaiaia and Waitahanui, and up the Nui, Hine and Tongariro. All waters held fish and depending on the weather we moved around to find the best fishing conditions.
There’s no doubt that being flexible is the key to consistent success. If we had stayed in one place or kept to one style of rig or method there would have been some long faces. One prime example of that was while I fished with Malcolm one morning at another mumble-mumble spot. He was using his tried and true nymphing rig, which had a Pheasant Tail in #12 on the end. It was bitten regularly and when he invited me to share in the catches I thrashed the water to a foam with my double glo bug rig for no bites. Malcolm resumed normal transmission picking up another fish within a few casts in the same spot. Not wanting to miss out I changed to the same and hooked up twice in 10 mins.
All-in-all, it was a great week and well worth the visit. I’ll be back and hopefully Grant will be able to make it next time. Until then we’re going to have to resort back to winter fishing for artificially fed trout using surf casting rods and goldfish for baits, in man-made canals 600m above sea level, where it’s frosty all day long at this time of the year. Turangi never looked so good!!
Brendon Mathews
July 2010 x New Zealand Trout Fisher magazine:
The 2010 winter edition of NEW ZEALAND TROUT FISHER magazine – issue 121 – has as their feature article “TREMENDOUS TONGARIRO” by David Williams – pages 10 to 15. If you have not been to Turangi before this is a good introduction and covers all you need to know about the history of the river, winter runs, tactics and techniques, flies, and most importantly – accommodation… An excellent quarterly publication which you really should subscribe to.
We can’t resist repeating the para on Accommodation:-
“The Tongariro River Motel is also accommodation dedicated to anglers’ needs. The proprietor (SWMBO?) is very knowledgeable about good pools to try and there is a fish smoker and large library of fishing books. Their website (…) is excellent and includes daily fishing reports, with weekly updates from guides, and some great descriptions of all the Tongariro Pools.”
Hi Ross & Pip
What a coincidence- Wendy & I were on the TRM website catching up with the latest news today when a knock on the door from the delivery man with some lovely smoked trout was heard.
Thank you so much for doing that for us- I had mentioned to Garth & George we may receive such a gift- & now we can get in touch with them to meet & eat.
By the way, they didn’t do all that well down south, nor did any of the others who went south from the club, so I am really pleased we came up north this time.
We had a great stay with you both, your warmth & fishing help we very much appreciated & made our stay memorable. Only yesterday Wen was telling these people at a restaurant in the Barrossa Valley who had dogs about her walks with Boof…..
Really miss NZ as does Wen- last night she dreamed she took our 2 grandsons there-yes we really do miss it!
Once again, thank you so much for your hospitality (& the fish)-we shall return!!
Travis & Wendy
10 March x Slovenia 
15 February x Australia
You are treasures and fully deserve your Tripadvisor rating. I have realised I did not pay for my Internet usage while staying. Can you hold this over until my next visit?11 February 2010 x Maine USA Dear Ross and Pip: I want to say hello and let you know that I am now safely back in Maine after a great trip to NZ and Australia. The highlight was clearly my stay at TRM: thank you for your hospitality and for helping with all the arrangements. Ross, having the license ready and waiting was a real help, and much appreciated! …..
Glad to hear you’ve managed to keep the Didymo out……..
That’s all for now. I’ll let you know when I’m in the Turangi area again. Thanks again for everything. Very nice to meet you both. Kind regards, Henry Whittemore,
21 December x USA Ross & Pip Just to let you know we had a wonderful month in NZ, especially at TRM and the great fishing experience, biggest “bows” I ever caught. As you know, we were only planning on staying 2 nights, but…the fishing and area extended our stay to 5 nights. Great time, thanks again. Reno (photo on left) & Claudia
Ross – We are back from our 3-week trip and had a wonderful time in New Zealand. Attached are some pictures that you requested. These pictures give me a lasting memory of a dream to fish in New Zealand waters. Thank you for making it all possible for me to have a successful time fishing in your beautiful, famous river. You took very good care of me, and it was much appreciated. Thanks again. Tom MayesMike and Diane James
17 August x Melbourne,Cheers
Matt and Bruce
From “Trip Advisor”
Aug 17, 2009 | Trip type: Family
When planning my family’s North Island driving vacation, I concluded we had one night to spend in the Lake Taupo area and debated whether to spend it in the city of Taupo, or at the south end of the lake in the much smaller village of Turangi. I chose Turangi for the opportunity to learn more about and observe the world famous trout fishing there, and the possibility of visiting the geothermal pools nearby. (If it had been summer, the nearby National Park would have been a major draw as well). If you face this same choice, I highly recommend Turangi.
Although the Tongariro River Motel wasn’t my first choice for a place to stay in Turangi — probably because Tripadvisor doesn’t list it as being in Turangi, but rather Taupo — I consider myself extremely lucky to have wound up there. Although there are motels and lodges elsewhere that I have rated highly on TripAdvisor for a variety of reasons (value, location, etc), this is a rare one that I am giving 5 stars because my whole family wholeheartedy loved it.
After repeatedly, over several weeks, trying to contact XXX (Censored by Boof) or the (much more expensive) XXX (Ditto) and receiving no reply from either, I e-mailed the TRM and almost immediately received an absolutely delightful e-mail back Ross and Pip. Reservations were easily and quickly made and confirmed, the Bakers not even demanding a credit card to hold our place. So I knew even before we got there that a stay at the TRM would be a treat.
Upon arrival we were greeted by Ross and Boof, the Wonder Dog (a local celebrity). Ross, as expected, was gregarious and a source of all sorts of useful information. Boof may be the sweetest, best mannered canine I’ve ever met. When I mentioned my plans to take a late afternoon stroll to observe folks fishing along the river, Ross offered to let us (and my 13 year old son in particular, who was drooling at the prospect) take Boof with us. We did so, and this was a huge hit with the family.
As for the accommodations, the unit we were given was enormous, with two bedrooms (and an extra bed in the living area if needed for a fifth adult), a large bathroom, a dining room, a completely equipped kitchen, and a good sized living room. Like many places we stayed in NZ, the heating was provided by an electric wall unit (in this case with an accurate digital temperature control), supplemented here by an additional floor-standing electric heater which could be used if needed. The unit had a DVD player in addition to a TV, and a modest selection of DVDs were available at the office for free viewing. Lighting in the living room area was a bit dim, but no problem. In general the furnishings were a little old, but well cared for and comfy. The whole place was extremely cozy. It would be easy to spend a week, or several weeks, there (and the modest cost would make this feasible financially).
The location of the TRM is wonderful for anyone with plans to fish in the river (most likely the biggest draw to Turangi), which is just a very short distance away, perhaps a hundred meters. (By the way, do NOT use Google Maps to locate the motel, which Google places nowhere near Link Road, the actual address. We were using the Google map to find the hotel and wasted about 20 minutes hunting for it, til we figured out the problem. If you’re coming from Taupo, look very carefully to your left right after you cross the bridge, the motel sign is easy to miss — at least we did!)
Dining options proved somewhat limited in Turangi, but there was a good grocery store within walking distance. With such a well-equipped kitchen in our unit, we decided to enjoy a home-cooked meal, a pleasant break from restaurant food.
Thanks again Ross, Pip, and Boof, for a wonderful stay. We hope to be back someday, and do some fishing the next time!
My ratings for this hotel:
Value 5 out of 5
Rooms 5 out of 5
Location 5 out of 5
Cleanliness 4 out of 5
Service 5 out of 5
Date of stay July 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with Family with Teenagers
Member since April 23, 2008
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
Just a quick note to say thanks again for looking after us this weekend in Unit 4! We appreciated the fisho upgrade! You certainly have TRM well set up for fisherman.
I read with envy Mike’s report from the Reed Pool Saturday morning. We wetlined the top for only one… just shows you, it’s the angler not the river or the number of fish in it!! After reading his report I think I’ll have to go another few inches per second quicker sinking on my shooting head as I’m sure I wasn’t near the bottom for long enough.
The good news is we got on to some fish at the Boulder Reach after checking out Sunday lunchtime, with 3 in about a dozen casts, nymphing the middle of the pool with a #16 white caddis – not great fish but a couple of pics attached.And what a fantastic weekend weather wise… you wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else but on the river!
See you next time.
Thanks again,
Jason
Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed our weekend at TRM last weekend. You were fantastic hosts and went way beyond your call of duty and we really thank you for that. We have driven through Turangi many times but never realised it held such beauty.
Thanks Ross for your patience, and being on hand for our every need. Although I cant say I am hooked yet on fly fishing I definitely will give it another try and I guess if I am fortunate to hook one then I may become hooked as well!Once again thanks to you both for making your place our place and will definitely recommend TRM to all my outdoor friends.
Keep up the good work
Kind regards
Athalie (Alan, Jill, Adrian)
A quick summary of my trip
Delayed in Melbourne, miss connecting Taupo flight, drive down in fog, very late arrival
Fished way to hard for most of the week to the stage on the last day my casting was a mess
Took your advice and went to the braids, got 2 fish, fell in river lost 2 fish
Up early one morning and off we went, steam coming of us as it was a bit cold, first time ever guides ice up, get back and you venture out of a warm office and tell us its minus 7.Spirits required to warm upPlayed with Boof, walked Boof fed Boof, photo with Boof want to steal Boof!!!!
Enjoyable evening with the 2 of you and learnt more about the region
Fish arrive in numbers the night before we leave
Airport closed and sent to Auckland in a mini bus (That was not fun as the driver got lost all the time and even missed the airport turnoff even with me yelling 300 meters before it)
Rental car not ready so got held up at the airport and when it finally arrived took 1hour 45 minutes to get to Takapuna
Watched rugby and the All Blacks lost to France but then that’s not a surprise
Arrived home and the dogs got the shits with me as he can smell Boof on my jeans
Sounds like a Monty Python holiday doesn’t it
Anyway although the fishing was not what I was hoping for I HAD A FANTASTIC TIME thanks mainly to you two making us so welcome
I have raved about my time there so much the leader of the opposition has told me maybe I should move back home (now that’s an idea she shouldn’t bring up to often)
You may want to pass on to any Aussie intended quests that if flying Virgin either stay a night in Auckland or fly to Rotorura as I missed my internal flight down to Taupo as the plane arrived late.
Plus do the same when leaving as when I went to fly out of Taupo the airport was closed and others that were on that flight missed their international flights back home
Anyway thanks so much for making my holiday
It goes without saying if you are ever in Melbourne!!!!!
Take care and I hope to visit soon
Regards
Trev
13 March x Coquitam,BC Canada My son Rand and I had wonderful stay with you this week and a great time fishing the Tongariro. What fun to see our photos up on your Mar 10 fishing report page. It was my first Rainbow on this trip to NZ but not my first trout. Although I caught my first Brown Trout ( 5 lbs) on the South Island,I never spotted so many trout, and huge as I did on the Tongariri River! On the morning we left, we fished the sections well below the bridge and I hooked into 2 beauties but was not able to keep them on. Was just the enticement I needed to wish for another return to the river! I will have to add one more trip back to NZ to my \’bucket List \’ 
Thanks for all your input and warm hospitality Ross and Bip. Cheers, Fran Friesen
31 January 2009 x Portland USA I’m famous. http://tongarirorivermotel.co.nz/daily-report/
To anyone who likes or loves or especially is devoted to fly fishing, this is the place to go and this hotel is the place to stay. To say anything more would be a blatant advertisement for the river and the super friendly and helpful staff, not that it would be unjustified. Ross of the Tongariro River Motel is just one of a dozen people I’ve met that are more than helpful to give those who are rusty or a novice at fly fishing a helping hand. I’m coming back next year. I may come back in the winter to see what the hype is about when fishing is “good”.
Ross, if this is how you run the joint when you are busy and think you have to apologize, I have a feeling I’ll feel even more like family next time. You’ve been a gem. Can you send me full sized pictures of the ones you took of me? I’m still thinking of buying one of the studios and spending my “winters” here. Next time I’ll stay longer. Cheers all, John
24 December 2008 x New Caledonia >Good morning Ross !!! I give you a photo to remember us !!! I hope you remind us !!!! We just want to wish you a very good merry Christmas and an happy new year 2009 for you and your family, I hope we will come in April or November in New Zealand, and we come to see you…. Fishing trouts !!!! We’re looking our souvenir book’s and we remind our vacancy in your motel….so great and extra and beautiful….ouaouh !!! Sorry for my English…!! I have to learn much vocabulary !!! Best regards, See you, Sophie and Hervé
8 August x Adelaide Hi Pip and Ross Yes, Air New Zealand got us and our luggage safely home again – they are a great carrier and surprise, surprise we did not realize until leaving Auckland that ‘departure taxes’ have been abandoned – another bonus. Thank you again for your kind hospitality during our recent visit – we will be back again in 2009 – overheard Lynette telling a neighbour yesterday that she considers TRM home away from home – wow, I might get to stay longer next year. Keep up the good work. Best Regards Garth & Lynette
(Photo right of Garth hooked up in Judges Pool bypass)
2 July x USA Dear Ross and Pip: Sorry to take so long to write … I’m still thinking about coming down under maybe at the end of the year for 2-3 months as NZ continues to be on my mind. I wanted to thank you so much for your great hospitality as I have never stayed in a hotel or motel where the hosts were so wonderful as the two of you were to me. And Boof of course-don’t want to leave out the main ambassador of the motel and river! I really enjoyed staying there though and plan to do the same when I get back there.Take care, Sincerely, Joe Tonahill
29 May x Singapore Hi Pip and Ross, Thank you for accommodating us. We enjoyed ourselves staying at Tongariro River Motel. Your units were spacious and clean and we loved it very much. We have been to many motels in your beautiful, but none matched the hospitality that you demostrated. We had a lot of useful tips from you regarding Tongariro Alpine Crossing and we were lucky to make it back alive. We also took your Boxer out walking and here are the photos we took with him. Hope to be back to NZ and Turangi. Thanks again Eugene
12 May – (Copy & paste from ‘Trip Advisor’:)
We had two great nights at this motel in Turangi, which is a great option if you want to explore Tongariro National Park, without having to drive from Taupo. There’s not much in Turangi, but it’s also a more quiet and peacefull place compared to nearby Taupo. We stayed at a two bedroom unit, which had all we needed. The style was a bit old fashioned, but that just added to its charm. The owner of the place has great knowledge of the area (and especially fishing, if you are in to that). From the property is also great views of the nearby volcanoes in Tongariro National Park.• This TripAdvisor Member:
• Liked — The “down to earth” atmosphere and of course the owners wonderful dog
• Disliked — The always unpredictable weather
Harapan’s Summary
Date of Stay: January, 2008
Traveled with: Family (extended)
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 25-34
Member since: November 16, 2007
• My ratings for this hotel are:
• Value: 5 out of 5
• Rooms: 4 out of 5
• Location: 4 out of 5
• Cleanliness: 4 out of 5
• Check In / Front Desk: 4 out of 5
• Service: 4 out of 5
• Business Service: 3 out of 5
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities, Older travelers, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Outdoor / Adventure
12 March x California USA. “Ross. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love coming to Turangi and staying at TRM. I have found the accommodations to fit all my needs, Cable TV, Internet access and the closeness of the river to be perfect. I also really enjoyed some spectacular food at Kaimanawa Lodge just down the road a short walk. Marylyn and Chris are a joy and luxury to spend an evening with. Back to fishing. Your “local knowledge” that you share so freely is priceless. I even ventured down Grace Road to the newly accessible areas of the river. Though not bringing a fish to the bank. I saw lots of large trout looking at me in astonishment as I may have been the first human they have ever seen. I did hook a “frieght train” that was unstoppable and a joy to just feel the power on the other end of my line. I moved up river a bit and had the weekend of my life bringing in all sizes of both Rainbows and a few Browns. I had them smoked and vacuumed sealed (At Horty’s) and brought them through customs, after declaring them, back to the states. I had no problem bringing them into the states. We’ve been enjoying and sharing smoked Turangi trout for weeks. I am so looking forward to my next trip to NZ and staying at TRM.” Bruce Kalish Encino California USA
imagination. Sharron and I just loved yesterday’s report although we do question our responsibility for initiating the brain drain. If I had a brain I should have stayed in the first place ……………… My job has had me globetrotting on a regular basis for the last 25 odd years and I’ve been to some wonderful locations, but nowhere comes close to NZ. Let’s keep it secret. Many thanks for the opportunity to meet you and Boof, and keep those reports up, it helps with the sanity. Tight Lines Chris & Sharron (Chris on left with Boof) Oh, Pip congratulations on the wonderful gardens – lovely colours! (Truth is, Chris wasn’t a guest but just popped in to say hello)
14 February x Wellington Hi Ross & Pip Thanks so much for your fantastic hospitality and fishing advice last weekend. We all had a fantastic time. We smoked and ate the brown trout with Andrew – thanks. Regards and thanks again. David
12 Februay x New Caledonia Goog morning Ross, We are very late to wish you, a happy new year to you and your wife !!! But, the time past too fast !! I give you 2 photos of our holidays in New Zealand in November. It was so beautiful.. Since our come back in New Calédonia, Hervé and I dream to return to your motel for fly fishing. Perhaps this year, in November or December, we don’t know yet. Sorry for my English…I hope you’ll understand me !! We just want to say to thank you again for your kindness, Best regards Sophie
1 January 2008 x UK Hi Ross, Just a quick note to thank you for your hospitality when we visited with John and Trish in November. We really enjoyed your company and your guidance on the river. You are just so lucky to have such a wonderful locality….The fishing in the UK just cannot compare and it is so expensive and eliteest here…. I will always treasure our memory of our special time with you. Happy New Year to both of You. Regards Richard and Gay Pierrepont.
2007 Correspondence:
October x Japan Dear Ross & PipKon nichi wa! Hello!!! How are you doing?We are Takumi & Yukiko!
Thank you for your email and pictures.
We also checked your homepage!!
We appreciate your kindness when we stayed in your motel for six days.
Thanks to you, we had good times and fishing. We really wanted to stay longer!!!
It was not enough for us, but we were very glad to meet and catch many beautiful trouts.
And then, Yukiko was able to catch trouts on the Tongariro River. (it was the first time I had caught fishes by myself….)
Thanks to your addvice, we enjoyed fishing at the lower of the river, and we tried “Pheasant Tail Nymph”and “Caddis Pupa” of No.14-18.
Your useful information and advices were much appreciated.
Thank you very much!!!
By the way, we tried to eat the trout as “Sashimi”(Japanese Style!), but next time we want to eat “Smoke”!
We hope to see you next year!
(We wish!!!)
Best regards,
Takumi & Yukiko Torimura
9 September x Auckland Thanks to you and Pip, I had a great trip and really appreciated your hospitality. Will look forward to bringing Margaret down some time soon I hope regards Roy R
20 July x Waiouru Fly Fishing Club,
LETTER OF APPRECIATION -
27 May x Wellington Hi Ross, Hi Pip, Thank you again for your hospitality and the recommendations during our stay. The kids are still wearing the caps and still talking about going fishing again! Herve
23 May x Levin Hi Ross and Pip, I have sent off the cheque to you today. May I thank you both for the experience that Cavan and Mike had. Cavan has told me how much he enjoyed himself. We ended up watching a DVD last night on how to cast. I fear that I may become a fishing widow! Many thanks Penelope Haines
20 May x email Hi, Ross and Pip, You don’t know me but I feel I know you so well and yet we have never met. I felt that I just had to contact you and offer my congratulations on your superb website.—I get so much pleasure from reading your daily reports. Keep up the good work! When I’m down your way i’ll pop in and see you. Tight lines, Yours sincerely Monty McHugh
23 April x California, USA Dear Ross and Pip Jo and I want to thank you for the wonderful stay at your motel and for the fishing lessons. It was a great experience…. Best wishes Neal and Jo Swanberg
23 April x Milford, Auckland Hi Ross and Pip, We just had to say yet another big thank you, your hospitallity was just sensational we loved the little house and the setting….. We will be back Regards Jenni & Tony Ebert Also Lyn & Bruce
4 April x California, USA Hi Ross and Pip!…..First of all, we want to thank you for a great time as well as your hospitality. Turangi is now one of my favorite places in New Zealand. I hope to get some old fishing buddies together and make another trip to the Tongariro as soon as possible. Thanks for everything, Dick and Gail Zook (see photo)
30 March x Queensland Thanks for the great time we had with you….. You are the most friendly and helpful motel owners we have ever encountered. Most people do not go out of their way to make sure their guests have a good time, not to mention lending their gear and knowledge about the river we were touched thank you both.. Margie & John Hudson
15 March x Rotorua Thankyou to staff & management of this motel, very comfortable & tidy units, 10 out of 10. Thanx. Phil & Bouz
3 February x Auckland Hi Pip & Ross … We had the most wonderful time in Turangi and your great motel. You must be the friendliest people we have come across on our travels. Thanks for everything. Warmest regards Rob and Sue and “the dog” Paige
22 January x Perth, Australia Ross Many thanks ….Thanks also for a great stay to you both and Boofy. Regards Lynn (Barson)
18 January 2007 x Maine, USA. Dear Ross & Pip, We are back home in Maine and reality. Our month in NZ just flew by. I can;t believe it is over. Lots of fun & food in a beautiful country. ZOur stay with you folks made it extra special and we will be back….love Jacquie & Hank
5 January 2007 x England Hi Ross and Pip, I don’t think we ever emailed you to say that we had a fabulous time in Tongariro back in Nov 05. The units were great and your help ….. I only wish we’d stayed longer but I think that one day we will be back…..Thanks again for a great stay email from Ruth Gurley and Mark Williams
21 November 2006 x Czech Republic We are enjoy to meet you. It was a very good ecperience for us. And thank you very much that we could flyfishing on the best river of the world. Thank you for your advices an beautiful accommodation. (4 signatures)
2 October 2006 x John Coles Fly Fishing x NSW,Australia Ross Hi, … A quick thank you from everyone for all your help during our stay. We all really enjoyed it and I’m sure the guys learnt a great deal in the weeks fishing…. I’m sure we will be back. Best regards, John
Once again thank you for your hospitality over the past few days. I really enjoyed my stay and I will look forward to coming back again in the near future……I checked out the fishing report and saw the photo you took, however the photo didn’t do the fish justice ( good photo of me though !!)…etc. Brett Latimer
17 July 2006 x USA Hi Ross & Pep, Just want to thank you for the nice accommodation we had the other weekend. We might not be back this year or next year round but whenever it is, we surely would like to stay at your motel again. I got few friends coming over to Taupo in the next couple of months, I told them about your place. Thanks by the way for the sending to us the things we’ve left behind. Regards, Cheryl Catayas (USA)
24 March 2006 x USA Hey Ross, Just returned to the States. What a fantastic trip! … I don’t think I really thanked you guys properly for your hospitality. I am really grateful for your assistance, guidance, and kindness during my stay, and I will certainly be back, and will be telling anyone who’ll listen where to stay in Turangi. I’ve told the “lost & found fly box” story to several friends, who were all impressed with the crowd of followers you’ve got. Hope to be back next spring or summer. … Thanks again, and hope to see you soon, Jason Klivington
22 March 2006 x Wales Hi Ross and Pip, Just to let you know that we are home safe and sound after a wonderful holiday in NZ. Thanks to you both it was made all the more special by your kindness in allowing us to stay at River Motel longer and allowing Graham to make use of the fishing gear etc…… Thanks once again both of you. PS. We are following your website often. Graham & Dilys James.
19 March 2006 x UK Hi, Ross and Pip, Just returned to a miserably cold winter, with very fond memories of NZ. Many thanks for your hopitality, and for your help in making this such an enjoyable and successful visit to the Taupo fishery….. My experience of fishing NZ suggests they were not kidding when I was told South Islanders head for Taupo for their serious fishing. Chris Williams
8 October 2005 email from Rachel & Simon in Auckland Thanks so much for the trout which Simon smoked. It was so yummy. The weather is horrible back in Auckland too!! Thanks a lot for your hospitality we had a really good time. Regards Rachel, Simon, Isobel and Elise Jacobs
5 September 2005 emailed Wayne & Nicki Boustridge from Wairarapa Just a short note to say thanks for your guidance and overall excellent hospitality during our week with you just recently. Nicki and I thoroughly enjoyed your company. Nicki has now had `casting’ lessons on the back lawn, has been given a fly rod, so next year the fish will really need to be worried…..Keep your Powder dry, Wayne and Nicki
16 August 2005 Tim Bywater emailed from Utah, USA We’re back in St. George and I can’t stand it. I ache, I miss you and your wonderful rivers so much. WE SHALL RETURN. Deepest thanks for your warm hospitality and wonderful guide service. You made Kathy and me feel like part of the family. I’d love to guide you and Pip in Yellowstone. I’ll stay in touch. Warm wishes, Tim
17 July 2005 Gay Perfect emailed from Auckland I would like to thank you for making our stay with you so great, the men had a great week and so did Vickie and I!!! Hope to see you again in the not too distant future. Gay
6 June 2005, Harry Moores of New Plymouth wrote: on behalf of emmersen and myself i would just like to thank you for your guidance and accommodation over the weekend! the fishing was great and your help and fishing spots really made the trip special! look forward to staying again! tight lines harry
6 June 2005, George Trevis of England wrote: We arrived safely back in the UK last week and its back to normal. …. The only thing that keeps me happy is thinking about my trip of the lifetime and those trout in the Tongariro. Best Wishes George Trevis
7 June 2005, Vic Krzyzanski of Chicago, USA wrote: Wanted to again say, to you both, thank you very much for your hospitality and friendship during my time in Turangi. The accommodation was very much better than I anticipated; it was the best I’ve had for many years. If you keep on the track that you have laid for the Tongariro River Motel the world will beat a path to your door. Vic