BOULDER REACH
Boulder Reach Pool 2006
Boulder Reach pool is generally unchanged from 2005. It is probably the most popular pool in the upper river. This is still a top holding pool where most anglers stand in the lie and fish the top and tail of the main current although fish are found in most places throughout the pool. If you are first into the pool on the LHS make sure you fish your feet first as the trout rest in the shallows along the LHS. You hardly need to get your waders wet. Later on the usual enthusiastic angler pressure, testing their chest waders, forces them all out towards the central gut.
The foot access from the car-park has deteriorated further from flooding. DoC have now formed a walking track to the pool through the small side stream rather than down the previous road leading to the Cliff Pool.
These pool reports have been entirely based on various comments and feed-back from anglers/guests at Tongariro River Motel. By and large, they modestly claim to be the best fly fishers in New Zealand. From these accurate reliable reports, we have a hung jury on which side of Boulder Reach is best – a 50/50 call.
Boulder Reach can be crossed towards the tail, usually being about crutch to waist deep if you find the right crossing, but we recommend a buddy to hang on to, or stout wading poles, or both. Note the crossing is also the lower holding area, so if you are brave enough, try to cast ahead as you cross. You may need a net if you want to land it as well.
Once you have made it to the RHS, you can also continue further up river into no-mans land to check out the following – also covered in 2005 report.
1 Check the small swirly pool below the Cliff and by pass,
2 Check out the by-pass into the narrow gut,
3 Check the Cliff Pool, cast from the shelf at the top of the pool,
4 Check the new no-name pool above where the by-pass leads from the main river.
For nymph fishing each of these, review the leader length and weighted natural at each spot. If the river is clear, small natural patterns are reported to be more successful.
Alternatively, if you are like me and don’t like wading, you can access the RHS by crossing the Red Hut Bridge.
From the Red Hut car park cross the swingbridge and take the fork to the right – upriver. After three minutes you will descend down a dug out staircase to the sound of tuis and bellbirds to emerge in a grotto with stunning native trees fauna.
Veer off to the left hand track at the base of the steps. (The right track leads across the bypass to Poutu Pool) Then take time to enjoy a delightful stroll along the bypass. Lookout for trout in the bypass.
A few years ago fishing the bypass was frowned upon to avoid upsetting the spawning redds, but subsequent flloods have dealt to these. Have a peep from the high cliff and have a flick where the bypass flow narrows and hits the cliff – there are often hungry trout watching underneath – in summer as well as winter.
Hint - During the winter spawning season, glo bugs appear to work better in the lower river but as you proceed further up – to Boulder Reach - the trout have become more river educated and start looking for natural bugs.
Well, so we are told…although Lee reminds us no one has interviewed the trout about this, yet…
Boulder Reach - August 2005
Damn, what can anglers do when the carefully selected pool is already occupied?
Take, for example, Boulder Reach - it must be one of the most popular pools on the Tongariro River. Boulder Reach was reformed as partial compensation for the loss of the Breakaway Pool after the Tongariro flood in 2004.
Car access is through Justice Department land after crossing the Poutu River, 7 km south of Tongariro River Motel or from Turangi shopping centre. Then after about 1 km., veer left down towards the Boulder Reach car park.
Park at the T junction where the original vehicle access has now been washed out. The track to the left leads to the confluence of the Poutu Stream. The track to the right leads to Boulder Reach.
For safety reasons in these reports we always prefer the Red Hut Bridge to cross over as the Tongariro is subject to rapid increases in volume without warning.
For Boulder Reach, follow the walking track leading down the LHS for 5 minutes to this delightful nymphing pool. This will take about 3 rods comfortably although up to 5 are often squeezed in.
If you are first - you will need to be early - make sure the shallows are fully covered first. This pool produces through the full length.
Wading is easy - only knee deep to cover the main lies. It is fishable from either side although the true LHS appears to be the favoured side. Usual ammunition is a standard Tongariro nymphing rig - weighted hare & copper bomb with a smaller, say size 12-14 bead head half back or pheasant tail or prince nymph patterns. If they do not work, try glo bugs.
Traces need to be over a rod length but it is not deep or fast. It has been described as an optimal nymphing pool, ideal for training muscle memory for perfecting your casting.
The current is even and not too fast for mending practice to achieve a natural drift. Perhaps that is why it is targeted so often by professional guides. Even my cast looks good on this pool.
It seems so basic - nymphing for dummies - spoilt only by everyone else targeting this pool too. There are other options, if you arrive to find a traffic jam:-
Cross over (take wading pole in case) below the Cliff and fish Boulder Reach from RHS;
Cross over and stalk the Cliff Pool - keep a low profile so as not to spook trout lying deep;
After crossing head up river to Boulder Pools - a 20 minute cross country tramp;
Return to carpark, head left 10 minutes to Poutu confluence - again longer leader needed;
Wade up the Poutu? Popular after rain as this tributary from Lake Rotoaira remains clear;
Continue on to Blue Pool, Sand Pool, Big Bend, Boulder Pool, wherever the crowd isn't.
