TROUT IN RIVERS AND LAKES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 197, 18 May 1936, Page 10

TROUT IN RIVERS AND LAKES

Problems of Anglers CONDITION OF FISH AND FOOD SUPPLY Netting Test To Be Made Dominion Special Service. Tokaanti, May 17. A tributary of the Tongariro River is to be netted this year with a view to collecting information on the ‘amtroversial questions as to whether toe fish population in the Taupo fishing district is too large or too small, and whether the fish food supply is adequate. This information was given to a meeting of anglers here to-day by the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr. J. W. Heenan, on behalf of the .Minister, Hou. AV. E. Parry, who was unable to attend owing to his presence being required at Cabinet meetings during the week-end. The Minister, in a comprehensive message, said it seemed to him that the first point to be decided was whether flic waters were carrying any large proportion of degenerate fish. The winter period offered the best opportunity of forming a definite reason. Tims, he had decided to not a tributary of the Tongariro. •’Some culling is done in the hatchery stream when the fish are being stripped,” the Minister explained. “The degenerate fish, in addition to competing in the food supply, are not. if they are fertile, likely to produce good stock. On the food supply question an investigation on more extensive grounds than hitherto is advisable. Trials are being made to ascertain whether koura is plentiful, and Mr. Kean, conservator of fish and game, has,' in spite of transport and other difficulties, succeeded in getting smelts down to Lake Taupo. Already smelts have been established in Okareka and Tarawera Lakes. The fish which are being taken, particularly from Tarawera, are beautiful specimens, both from the point of size and condition. No fault can, therefore, be found with the department’s attitude of destroying degernate fish and endeavouring to improve the food supply. Some Good Catches. "There have been stretches of most unfavourable weather this season. Nevertheless there have been some very good catches of fine-conditioned fish'. The fish may not have been taken wholly in the Tongariro River, but in any consideration of the matter it must be realised that the rainbow is migratory and the lake and rivers must be treated as a whole. Reports to me show that during the first fortnight of the season, in mostly heavy wind and rain. Captain Heber Percy took 45 fish tn the Tongariro in three days (wot and dry fly). Later, Mr. T. Fowler took seven in eight hours from .Major .Jones's Pool, including one of 71b. Many other equally good catches wore reported of well-conditioned fish in various parts of the lake. Jellicoe and Motutere Points, Whakaipo and .Mine Bays cun lie specially mentioned. Ju .March Captain Greenslade, fishing the Cherry Pool, took eleven fish in seven hours, and another catch of ten in the same time. Mr. Campbell and t wo others took 72 fish from the Tongariro (average 51b., heaviest fish Sib.), and so on. Some anglers wish to catch 20-pounders, and pin their faith on extensive netting as a means of achieving this end. I hove looked carefully into this point. Conditions are very different from those when netting was previously -undertaken, and it is hardly necessary to enlarge on this.” Canadian Limits. The Minister went on to refer to the American and Canadian fishing laws, published in April last. “As California is the home of the Rainbow,” Mr. Parry said, “it is very interesting to note the size and weight limits at those fishing-grounds. There is no size limit for Steelhead and all other trout (except Golden trout), but the number is limited to 25 fish or . 101 b. a day, with variations in some rivers—even as low as three and five fish a day with no weight limits. “IV e, in New Zealand, are in a much happier position. While it would be very nice to have 20-pounders, anglers must realise that there must be some balance between fish and food supply. One overseas angler, who has for years come here to ply his rod, quite incidentally stated that the young, virile Rainbow in good condition and anywhere about 31b. in weight was his ideal. If the steps now being taken by the Department of Internal Affairs result in an increase in size and weight, so much the better, but whether it is possible to have the bigger fish and in quantities sufficient to meet the demands of the increasing roll of anglers remains to be seen. AA’e are anxious to do the best we can in the interests of our Dominion and overseas anglers. Let me give a quite definite assurance that any step which has been or will be taken is with this object in view.”