FISHING AT TAUPO

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 94, 15 January 1943, Page 2

FISHING AT TAUPO

Trout Plentiful But In Poor Condition Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, January 13. Anglers who have returned from Taupo after the holidays report that, trout are plentiful, but that the condition of the fish leaves much to be desired. Though some good fish are at times captured, most of the trout are not filled out, while many others are thrown back by the fishermen as being too thin.

All evidence goes to show that the lake is short of feed for the number of fish in its waters. There arc probably two reasons for the absence of condition in the trout this year, one being that the last two seasons must cause of the increased number of small fish, and the other that the raising of the late level has destroyed the ova of bullies and smelt. There has been some improvement in the quality of the fish since the opening of the season, and it is hoped that this will continue.

The river fishing at Taupo is at present poor. The raising and lowering of the Waikato River for hydro-electric purposes is playing havoc with the fishing between Aratiatia and the mouth at Taupo. At Christmas time the Waikato was exceptionally low, ant! a few days later it was extremely high, so high that it could not be fished in most parts. The evening dry fly fishing for which this river was famous is non-existent at present. The Toilgariro River at 'l’okaanu .-mil Turnngi is giving poor fishing, as it. "enerally does at this time. In February and March the first runs ot tish from the late should take place, and some good sport should then be provided. It is; not exiiectcd that the Taupo trout will this year reat-lt the average weight of the past few years.