Fish arenât nearly as at-risk of ingesting 1080 as the fear mongering posts on social media could lead someone to believe. 1080 operations have no effect on trout, nymphs and native fish, or the water in the streams, rivers and lakes where they live.
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“Itâs a manâs world” â well thatâs what most people think about the sport of fly fishing â but is it really true? Ranger Amelia Willis and her friend Evelien head to the Hinemaiaia River to find out.
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The famous Trout Centre ‘fish outs’
The Tongariro National Trout Centre is world famous in the central North Island for its kidâs fish outs.
Fishing for your first trout with a volunteer angler is a big part of local identity – you catch a trout at the childrenâs pond when you are young, and then grow up and go on to take your own children and grandchildren.
Tongariro Trout Centre Society president Rob Lester explains, âI think we are the luckiest volunteers when you see the delight on the childrenâs facesâ.
There are seven fish outs a year that attract up to 200 children at a time and bring visitors in from out of town.
Tongariro Trout Centre Society
The Tongariro Trout Centre Society was incorporated in 2001 to develop, promote and expand the Tongariro National Trout Centre. In partnership with DOC and Genesis Energy, the Centre has become a place that not only promotes the TaupŠFishery, but is also a leading advocate for freshwater conservation.
History of the Tongariro Trout Centre
The land was originally gifted from the Downs family and in 1926 a trout hatchery was established. The site was chosen for the purity and temperature of the water from the Waihukahuka spring and streamâcool, clear and clean.
In 2003 the River Walk building was opened to help promote the TaupĹ Fishery.
The TaupĹ for Tomorrow education programme classroom was built in 2006 and named after the late kaumÄtua, Whakapumautanga Downs.
2011 saw the opening of the Genesis Energy Freshwater Aquarium where you can get an up-close and personal experience with many of our native species such as kĹkopu and kĹaro.
The visitor centre was also upgraded with interpretation that includes a 20 minute film and a series on freshwater conservation titled âBlue Goldâ.
Whio/blue duck
Whio (blue duck) can now be seen from the grounds of the Tongariro Trout Centre due to a local collaborative effort on predator trapping. It has hosted Whio Family Day for the last three years.
More than a trout on the end of the line
It is exciting to see the Tongariro Trout Centre not only giving us the buzz of a trout on the end of our line, or even bringing us face to face with a kĹkopu or whio for the first time, but leaving us with a deep understanding of the importance of clean freshwater for our future.
Working together, in partnership with our volunteers, is fast tracking us towards our dreams and goals to preserve our freshwater for future generations.