NEW ZEALAND ANGLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 139, 14 June 1929, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND ANGLING.

POOR SPORTSMANSHIP. OVERSEAS VISITORS COMPLAIN. LEGISLATION SUGGESTED. (isy Telegraph.—o^ r n Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. According to Mr. L. Smith, who had charge of a camp on the Tongariro River, anglers visiting New Zealand from abroad are dissatisfied with some of the methods adopted by many Dominion anglers in taking fish, and with their alleged failure to observe the unwritten laws of fishing as observed in other countries. One objection is to the flogging of pools early in the morning, making the fish line-shy for the rest of the day. Mr. Smith suggests that a law should be passed making it unlawful to fish before 7 a.m. Fishing Upstream. Another practice thought objectionable was fishing upstream, the orthodox procedure being to fish downstream Annoyance was caused by i;he monopolising of fruitful pools. Some persons were inclined to establish themselves at a pool and remain there. This was unfair to the man who worked the river yard by yard, irrespective of pools or likely hunting grounds. C "?' iie^.| ice 1 nses are issued," said Mr Smith It should be specified , on the back of them that anglers are to work downstream and make way foAtW behind. A ranger cannot ask anglers to move on or take exception to their monopohsmg one pool, because he has not legislative authority to do so." The practice of "worming" was also referred to by Mr SmHi, ? as a / so fishing fr-n™ -l . Srru tn, this being w Lo boat and casting out fishlno- tlle st yle of seawater "wmw J , Was . VG ry hard to detect , said, the ranger having sucn a large area to cover. Those practising worming" were often warned of the ranger's coming, and were able to revert to the fly. If these practices were allowed to continue they would adversely affect tne oversea tourist, who came to land for fishing. He caine to get sport and to meet sportsmen. '''

Season Opened too Early? The opening and closing of season & month later than at present was also advocated by Mr. Smith. This would give spent fish, just coming down the river from spawning, an opportunity to regain their condition. At .the beginning of November, he said, fish-are not fit to pull from the water, or fit for eating. They have no "fight," and to catch them is not sport; it. is just like pulling dead duck out of a .stream. Mr. Smith made reference to the condition of trout in Lake Taupo. He said trout were in the river in such quantities that there was insufficient food for them. He considered the time had come when the water should be stocked with some form of artificial food, suchi as freshwater shrimps.