Calling all anglers

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 33 (Supplement)

Calling all anglers

Bob Christie, one of Turangi's identities, is back with a vengeance. After a break away from his Bridge Fishing Lodge, he and his wife have returned to take over day-to-day management. That's good news for anglers because Bob is starting ||j up his fly fishing school again. W Now schools will be held in the first week of each I month. 1 Over the three years that he ran the three and five day schools more than 700 people have attended the school. Thirty per cent of them are women and most of the men are professionals such as doctors and lawyers. The week programme includes a heavy schedule of practical subjects such as gear selection, entomology, casting, fly-tying, safety and conservation. Spiced with a good deal of humour and sessions around the "museum" bar, the courses end with a small ceremony when each student is awarded a "fishing pox" certificate (see illustration). Bob Christie bought the Bridge Fishing Lodge in 1981 after returning to New Zealand from Asia. At that stage the lodge was still a run-down complex but famous nonetheless among fishermen around the world. It was rebuilt in 1985 and today provides a high standard of accommodation in 34 rooms, a family restaurant and takeaway bar. Originally from Taihape, Bob Christie spent 11 years in Asia prior to buying the lodge. His first 18 months was in Vietnam with Red Cross. He then spent almost 10 years selling cars to American servicemen in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Japan. The lodge has a colourful past and has the oldest tourist house licence in the King Country.