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Saffers score on the Tongariro.
Mon 16th September, 2013
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South Africans didn't have have much to smile about at Eden Park … but seven visiting Saffer rugby fans and one lone Irishman had plenty to smile about when they fished the Tongariro on the weekend. If J.D and Richard look familiar its because they were here in October 2011 during the Rugby World Cup. On their last visit the Tongariro flooded the day before they were due to fish and sods law after months of hardly any rain the same thing happened again this time.
The guys were understandably disappointed but last time they didn’t have their lucky mascot with them. And as soon as Irishman Jon Beatty arrived on a late flight from Jakarta, the rain stopped, the weather began to clear and it was all on again.
Next day just after dawn their four guides picked them up from their accommodation and although most of them had only just got into bed they were really hyped up and keen to get on to the river. Well ... all except their Irish mascot who looked a little the worse for wear and put all the blame on someone called Jack Daniels. Jon was the only member of the party who'd never fished before and wasn't really into early starts. In fact he'd have been quite happy too start at the crack of noon ! 
With lots of anglers around, eager to clean up after the rain, the group split up and fished different stretches of river. The Tongariro was still carrying just a tad too much color but everyone did quite well ... even first-timer Jon hooked up a few times. He was so pleased that when he hooked his second fish he decided to celebrate by diving into the river, although I don't think it was intentional. If you look closely you can see the high tide line across his chest.
By lunchtime a combination of long flights and a couple of days of after breakfast drinks were taking their toll and only diehards Richard and JD were still standing. But they were starting to look a bit ragged so we finished off the afternoon fishing close to the lodge. Just before we finally reeled in for the day JD lost a good fish when the line snapped five minutes into the fight … however he hadn't seen the last of that fish.
The next day both of them were pretty keen to get a few more hours in before they drove to Auckland for the game.
So with a recreational release scheduled we went for an even earlier start and as the sky began to lighten they were already standing in the river eager to make their first cast.
This part of the river can be a bit slow at first light but when it does kick-off things can get hectic pretty fast and for around three hours it did just that.
As I unhooked a rainbow for Richard I heard JD whistle from further downstream where he'd fished the day before. It was clear he was into a strong fish because he was really taking his time with this one and it went off on several big runs before we finally got it into the net.
It was a great looking jack and when I went to remove the caddis from the side of its jaw there just inside its mouth was the real egg and broken hook length from the day before.
By the time we packed up they had landed sixteen fish between them and lost half as many again ... all before 10.30 am.
What a memorable finish to their couple of days on the Tongariro … they will be back.
 
After the weekend fresh and recreational release the fish are gorging on food items dislodged by the heavier flow.
The guys took a few trout for the braii and they told me the stomachs were crammed full of green caddis. No prizes for guessing what most of the fish took as the water cleared.
As far as the fishing is concerned this year is turning out to be one of those special years.
Regular Tongariro anglers are not surprised because its something they've been predicting for a while.
I took Blue for a walk over the Braids this morning and the picket line of anglers on both sides of the latest hot-spot indicates just how good the fishing is at the moment.
Its nice to see the Tongariro regaining some of its former magic again.
The small weekend flood has moved the silt around and there are a few soft spots here and there which can catch you out. Its also moved the fish around and some of the weaker kelts have been knocked downriver and are turning up in catches now. Some very good jacks have been caught over the last few days ... this sometimes signals a big push of hens are on the way. This combined with a forecast of more wet weather and an accompanying drop in pressure later this week could see some excellent action on the river ... I'll let you know.
Tight lines guys
Mike |
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