As we march on toward the shortest day of the year, thoughts turn to winter fishing. And there are few rivers that excite the imagination like the Tongariro River; a globally renowned fishery. We have been fishing the Tongariro each winter for several years now. It is the one occasion that draws all Riversmiths fishers – Tony (Dad), Teo and Greg together to fish. (And Mum to help keep us in ‘line’!)

So here, we cast back to the Winter of 2024, before considering how we’ll approach the coming season.

Each year, we understand the river a little better – although flood events do change some areas dramatically over time. For 2024, fishing reports from the likes of FlytackleNZ and Sporting Life suggested that while there were fresh lake fish in the river for our arrival, finding them could be tricky.

There are always fish in this river, but consistent success is very much tied to the spawning runs, which are in turn tied to ‘freshes’ of higher water. Cold weather, barometric changes and other factors can also trigger these racing-striped torpedoes to head up numerous Lake Taupo tributaries to spawn. They are opportunistic feeders during this time, aggressively attacking anything that passes as food or foe.

We arrive in early August with Lake Taupō is at its lowest levels in several years, driven by a mix of hydro power needs and low seasonal rainfall – the lowest July totals for at least 5 years. The result is a low and clear Tongariro River (running at about 27 CUMECS), and sporadic smaller spawning runs. (Note that 2025 is different – the most significant rainfall events in years!)

The upside is that fishing in the sunshine is more pleasant than the polar-opposite of wind-driven sleet sometimes experienced in the past.

As a result, we explored several fishing pools, including several new ones for us. While all on the same river, each had a distinct character, and distinct history. To follow is what we found.

Cattle Rustlers (?) Pool, 4 Rainbows

A 10 minute walk from the Stag Pool carpark eventually spits you out at a long run that we’ve always called Cattle Rustlers. But there is some confusion, and in decoding many maps and articles, I now believe this to be the stretch known as Mill Race, between the Stag Pool and Castle Rustlers proper. No matter, it’ll always be “Cattle Rustlers” to us.

We have fished this section every one of the six years (so far), and often multiple times. We’ve had success through its entire length, from the tail riffle through the rapid. A good range of boulders provide cover for trout, and long casts aren’t necessary, but you’ll get plenty of backhand casting practice with trees lined at the water’s edge.

This is a significant stretch of river, rather than a defined pool. While not the most picturesque on the river, we will always return. It could be called the Postman Pool; it always delivers.

Kamahi Pool, 4 Rainbows

A certain local establishment (okay, it was Tongariro River Motel) suggested that this pool is the prettiest on the river. It is hard to disagree.

I had always imagined that it required some long trek, but the walk is now part of the attraction. Turning upriver after crossing the Major Jones swing bridge, we bumped into a couple of DOC workers a few minutes up the track. They directed us down a relatively new set of steps which led to a 10 minute walk through gorgeous native bush.

Apparently it is worth scrambling down and fishing the riverbank at points along the way, but in this case we stayed focused on the destination.

And what a destination. A long glide, with a deeper pool at the head, and a riffly rapid above that. Several distinct fishing experiences in one stretch. If there are non-fishers in your posse, bring them here, picnic in hand.

Hydro Pool, 2 hooked but “autonomously released”

After walking across the Major Jones bridge, we made our way down a steep track and carefully crossed immediately below the small but swift stream, where there is usually (check it first!) a stable sandy shelf. From there you can fish the main stem in the knowledge that this is part of the trout superhighway, and fish will usually be present.

The current here is decent, even in lower flows and getting the fly down quickly is the name of the game. Perhaps this is a game of two halves though, as from experience the fish here are more likely to turn and drive downstream. Getting them stopped and back upstream is not easy once they go.

Smile for the camera – you’ll often have an audience on the opposite bank from non-fishy visitors walking the popular river trail.

Island Pool, close but no cigar

This is a regular spot, being that it is a very short walk from our usual digs at the Creel Lodge.

In past years we’ve focused on the long run above the pool, with some success throughout. In particular, about mid-way through the run, two boulders a few metres apart seem to provide excellent cover for trout.  Likewise, the riffle at the top of the run is worth a crack.

It was not to be this year, but the main pool did come to play, with a couple hooked (but lost)

The Log Pool, 3 rainbows, 1 brown

A decent walk down from the carpark off Grace Road, this stretch is well patronised at dawn.  But after an extra helping of red wine and cheese the previous evening, we were keeping ‘gentlemen’s hours’.  We arrived outside of rush hour.  In one spot, a single cast was all that was needed.  And dad, changing to a streamer, did the same a few minutes later before landing arguably the fish of the entire trip – a beautifully coloured brown.

The pool lives up to it’s name, with some seriously large submerged timber.  But there is plenty of space to fish inbetween.  Swinging streamers through the tail is effective, and next time I’ll bring a euro set up to properly investigate the deep pool above that. A couple were also extracted nymphing from the base of the upstream riffle.

Judges Pool, 1 rainbow

I’d never really bothered with this one – as it always looked too busy. 

I walked up the tricky, slippery backwater from the Daisy Pool, only finding the easy track on the way back.

Below a bouldery rapid (below the Doctor’s Pool) lies a wide stretch of river, with a notable line of boulders which seem to be the target of most fishers.

Rather than walk up to the main run, I started at the tail, amongst the rocks, and landed one almost immediately. We had only arrived late afternoon, and with light fading, headed home.  To coin a movie phrase, I’ll be back!

Result: 1 Rainbow

So there you go, most of the 2024 roundup. A short reconnaissance visit is 2025 already sees changes after two 700 cumec floods and several more over 300. Access to the Log and Reed Pools is getting trickier, but worth the effort.