To qualify for this lofty ambitious title a number of special characteristics need to be satisfied such as huge numbers of trout, reasonable affordability, easy access, a natural wild fishery, BIG trout, rainbow and brown trout, all year round fly fishing, variety of fishing styles – dry, nymph, wet lines, fly fishing spawning runs and resident trout, offering big deep pools, fast riffles, slow glides, boisterous runs, long reaches, endless pocket water, something for everyone. The entire Taupo fishery offers such a variety casting into a big river or small tributaries, various river mouths, lake edge fishing, boat fishing – jigging, harling, trolling, fly fishing, plus lots of back up facilities, various good specialised tackle shops, world renowned historic precedents, acknowledgments by international visitors, good river and track management by Department of Conservation, watchdog groups like the Advocates, etc.

But in particular the Tongariro River is the jewel in the crown.

To fully consider all those characteristics individually requires a full length book. (TRM have available for guests a library of local fishing books.) Meanwhile the following is a brief introduction to encourage you….

Huge Fishery - The Tongariro River annual spawning runs have been estimated between 60,000 – 80,000. The annual catch is about 12,000 – 15,000. About half of those are released after capture. These are in addition to resident trout. So the Tongariro qualifies in having ample trout waiting to be caught..

Affordability - A Taupo Fishing Llcence for the 2009-10 season is needed before you start fishing.

Cost (Inclusive of GST) for 2010-2911 season is:

Maximum daily bag is three fish. Considering what is on offer, the licence fees have to be a bargain.

Access - The Tongariro RIver has drive on access over most of the most popular pools up to the winter limit. There are walking tracks down either bank and most pools are wadable. The upper river is more difficult as the stones get slippery but these get ground down to sand by the time they reach the lower river. Chest waders are the most popular – either breathable or neoprene style. From TRM you can easily walk to several famous pools within five minutes – i.e. Bridge Pool, Judges Pool, Island Pool, Major Jones Pool. Even during peak spawning runs when there are over 100 anglers on the river it is still easy to find good fishing water or a pool to yourself. You may have to walk a bit further – perhaps 20-30 minutes, but that is easy on good tracks. Free guiding maps to all the main pools available in TRM’s office.

Wild fishery - The famous Tongariro rainbows originated from Steelhead stock from San Francisco harbour tributaries. Instead of growing in the Pacific Ocean the trout migrate from the river redds down to Lake Taupo. This lake covers about 600 square kilometres. About three years later they return up the river. Spawning runs occur all year round although the biggest runs are in late winter – early spring. The “Trout Centre” on the Tongariro includes a hatchery used for kids fishing days and for supplying other locations without the natural physical advantages for a wild fishery.

BIG trout – The minimum length is 40 cm. The average weight is about 3 pound. Can you believe there is a strong body of local opinion that these are too small. A couple of years ago the average was over four pound. A few years ago the average was over five pound. Whether this is a seasonal fluctuation remains to be seen. Every year trout over ten pound are caught in the Taupo fishery. Minimum size charts are available in TRM’s office.

All year round fishing - The inaccessible upper reaches of the Tongariro River are closed off from end of May to December for spawning but the main accessible river is available for fly fishing all year round. In addition there are other locations where spinning is permitted. On the lake the boats use all methods from down riggers, trolling, harling, jigging, depending on the conditions.

Variety of fishing styles - The big T was traditionally fished with wetline using streamer flies but there are now just as many nymphing using weighted nymphs or lead to trawl the river beds. Smaller tributary rivers favour lighter gear. . During summer months the evening rises are legendry for dry fly and in late summer the cicada hatch is also keenly awaited by dry fly anglers.

Variety of fishing locations - In addition to the “Big T” there are many other well known trout fishing rivers north of Turangi – towards Taupo – including Waiotaka, Waimarino, Tauranga-Taupo, Hinemaia, and Waitahanui. Other well known lakes for fishing in the Taupo region include Kuratau, Rotoaira and Otamangakau (Lake “O”). In total there are 13 rivers and streams, 5 lakes and 32 river mouths.

World renowned - Probably the river first became subject to closer scrutiny from the wider trout fishing community in the 1920’s when American Author, Zane Grey wrote his “Fishing Eldorado” book on the big game fishing in NZ’s Bay of Islands and trout fishing on the Tongariro River where he camped. Since then it has featured in many books and publications and more recently in videos and DVD’s.

International visitors - Even some of the Pools are named after the British Royal Family (Duchess Pool). The procession of anglers includes the Royals, Presidents, and celebrities (?). It is a rare day on the river when you do not find several overseas anglers. The region is particularly popular with Australian and American fishos.

When these characteristics are combined you will appreciate that the Tongariro is a world class trout fishery. At TRM we are reminded of this every week when international anglers stay and enjoy this wonderful natural fishery. It is a miracle it has survived colonial civilisation and development – such as hydro electricity schemes – and there is now appropriate awareness as to the unique values and heritage with suitable management processes and controls in place to ensure it will continue beyond the 21st century.

Once the importance as a trout habitat and nursery for Lake Taupo was relatively insignificant, as indicated by the development of the hydro electric power scheme in the 1960’s affecting the flow for ever, but now the greater economic importance of “tourism” combined with the enhanced awareness of the natural environmental values – i.e. from TRM guests like you – should ensure the future restoration and management of a famous world class fishery to protect it forever.

Photo right: A limit bag from Kamahi Pool – Tongariro River