Fishing Licences

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 10

Fishing Licences

Sir, —Would the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society give the reason for permitting only a No. 8 hook after December 31? Why does this not apply to the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers? There was a record catch at Ashburton last season and never before have so many salmon been in the river and upper spawning grounds. Over 90 per cent >f salmon hooked take the lure in the mouth, and with the restriction last season that all fouled-hooked fish be returned to the water, fishermen really played the game. The ranger told me the fishermen were observing the rules even during his absence. There are always one or two poachers, but why should 98 per cent of fishermen, who play the game, have their sport ruined by these few? The greater number of fish-

ermen at the river mouth are making it impossible for the few that have been strokehaulers.—Yours, etc., FAIR PLAY FOR ALL. October 29, 1968.

[Mr J. B. Nicoll, secretary of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, replies: “I suggest that the correspondent write to the society for this information.”]