DEPLETED STREAMS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 6

DEPLETED STREAMS

Problem Gives Concern to Research Society FISHERMEN MOTORISTS One of the problems the Fresh Water Research Society has under consideration at present is the marked change that has come over certain aspects of the sport of trout-fishing during the last ten years or so, and its influence on the future. In the past the various acclimatisation societies throughout New Zealand have jogged along in a fairly satisfactory way—extremely satisfactory in the case' of Wellington—keeping the streams well stocked with fry from the Masterton ponds, Southland, and Auckland. In that manner good Ashing has been provided for the many, though that number, say, twenty years ago. perhaps represented half the total of rods that bend and quiver over New Zealand’s streams to-day. Some 800 licenses have been taken out in the Wellington district alone for the current season. The problem involved is the proportion of those license holders who own motor-cars, and who can reach most streams within an hour —many within half an hour. They are perfectly within their rights in doing so, but what the acclimatisation societies are concerned about is the heavy demand made upon the streams they stock as a result of tlie ease with which these streams can be reached by motorcar. There are those in Wellington today who, ou flue mornings, may rise early, speed out to the Akatarawa or Waiuui, and yet return iu time to reach the ofliee at 9 a.m. The growth of this practice, it is feared, must lead to the depletion of the streams early in the season, and prevent the growth of a percentage of fish which otherwise would have a chance of attaining maturity. It is considered that ther are two or three ways of meeting the situation. One way would be by intensifying the stocking of the streams by the societies; a second way would be by limiting the weekly, monthly, or season’s catch; and still another way would be to raise the cost of licenses. At present licenses for men to fish almost anywhere iu New Zealand cost £1 for men, and 5/- for women or boys. Of that the Government receives 1/- a license to cover the cost of selling them over the post office counter. It ik understood that in no other part of the world can such excellent trout-fishing be secured at anything like such a low cost. Even if the cost of licenses were doubled they would still be low compared with what such privileges cost in other countries. In the meantime the matter of the increasing- ease with which streams are made vulnerable through Improved roads and the motor-ear is a matter of some concern to interested authorities. One keen disciple of Izaac Walton, who knows the Wellington streams as most people know Lambton Quay, stated yesterday that on one occasion he fished the Wainui with 'a couple of fishermen from England. One of them owned three miles of water and the other one mile. The former leased his for £lOOO for the season and the other received £250 for his mile. Thus both were able to make the trip to New Zealand aud back, and get the best troutfishing in the world for a mere twenty shillings.