RIVER WEALTH

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 65, 17 March 1928, Page 9

RIVER WEALTH

STILL UNREALISED MANY TROUT WATERS MAJESTJC WAIKATO What do they know of the trout rivers of New Zealand who only the Tongariro know. Nay, what do they known even of the Tongariro itself? The fringe of the trout-fishing in the Waikato, and in the'Tongariro, which is one of the components of tho Waikato, has hardly been touched. If New Zealand's trout-fisheries were taken, under one competent control, building up a revenue to. be used for their own advancement,, what limit could be set Jo her trout-fishing capabilities? Twenty or thirty years ago. trout could be caught in the heart of the ITrewera and the King Country. Some of the smaller streams even in those days yielded surprising results. It is hard to believe that remote waters of high promise have gone * back very far. It is easy to believe that they could be brought forward. As it is, many of them are probably not on the iriap, so far as trout-fishers in general are; concerned. Even concerning the Waikato River'itself, "now famous for its trout-fishing," F.C.K. tells his readers in the "New Zealand Herald" that "surprisingly little is known, and lengthy portions of its course are never seen by anglers. FROM ROCK-BOUND SOURCE ON ; RUAPEHU. ' "Firstly, the name itself is still not defined. In its upper course, above Lake Taupo, it'is commonly called the .Tongariro, while its souroie is called the Mangatoetoenui. Above '?Ngaruawahia, old Maoris still speak of it as the Horptiu, and in the mid-portions- of its course it has other names. Geographically, of course, it is the Waikato Biyer from its source under that huge black rock on .the slopes of Buapehu to Lake Taupo, and from Taupo to the sea, and as such it should be known (Oven to visiting anglers, who speak of its most popular fishing waters as-the Tongariro. .:■•■■ ..'"... , "Apart; from its angling attractions, which as yet are far from .being fully appreciated or known, the. Waikato is romarkably interesting in many ways, j While not possessing the forested banks of tho Wanganui, it rivals that fine liver in the majesty and infinite variety of its scenery. In its course from Buapehu to the head of its navigable waters its has a descent of over 4000 feet, which naturally infers innumerable rapids and falls. This, besides providing many striking and impressive .' features, makes it the most important source of hydro-electric energy in the North Island.- Arapuni and Horahorn, great as their present and future power, may be, comprise only a fraction of what this river can and will givo to man. BY OLD VOLCANOES. "It is practically impossible to-de-secribe the Waikato in comprehensive terms. It must be dealt with in sections. First of all, is that portion of it which flows between its primary sources and Lake'Taupo. This is'only a short section of between 30 and 40 miles, but how wonderful it isl On its left bank he/c rise three huge volcanoes, Buapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, and from their steep slopes tumble innumerable tributaries, some from tho high'isnowdields, somo from old volcanic 'craters, and some- from great thermal springs and boiling pools. "On the left bank rise tho Kaimajiawa Mountains ■from which come many streajns from heights less known oven than the eastern slopes of the volcanic mountains, all going to feed the Waikato, which runs unseen and practically unknown in its valley, made impassable to man by dense thickets of scrub and bracken. Further northward where the slopes of the volcanoes come down to the high pumice plateau the Poutu, fed from Lakes Botoairu arid Botoponarnu, joins the Waikato and more streams come in from the Kaimanawas, but still the main river lies hidden'in the waste of scrub. "It is not until the Waikato reaches ■within about seven miles of Lake Taupo that it becomes accessible to fishermen, and it is this short reach which has made it widely recognised as the finest trout stream in the world. How much good fishing water remains to be opened up above 'the bridge can only tie guessed at, but it is almost certain that less than £100 judiciously spent in cutting tracks by the side of the river and to the junction of its tributaries would reveal some magnificent fishing water: ' > ■ ■ , ■ LITTLE KNOWN ANGLING GROUNDS. VThe fishing in Lake Taupo should, b'f course, be included in the Waikato's angling grounds, for it is part of the river system and should be\ ranked among its attractions. But even if this is not done there still remains a great length of its course where excellent sport can bo obtained. "From the outlet of the lake- to the Aratiatia Bapids the river is well known, and the excellent hotels at Wairakei and the spa provide favourite angling resorts. Below the Aratiatia ■Bapids the Waikato enters little-known country—a great open valley with many miles of good fishing banks. I have tried' the river here on many occasions at Wainui, where it runs for some miles through the- property of the Maclows, and at Broadlands, the wellknown estate of . Mr. E. Earle Vaile, where there are some splendid runs of water, and at each place I have had excellent sport. "At the bridge near. Waiatopu the Waikato swings suddenly to the westward, and .flows through much wild country. It can, however, bo fished at Orakeikorako, ana at Atiamurij. • and lower down- at Ongprotp. There again a small amount of money spent on cutting tracks through, the scrub would open up much good fishing water. For 30 odd miles the river runs through a noble valley amia picturesque . and interesting scenery. Below Ongorotq the Waikato again enters little-known country, and continues so to Waotu, where it is tapped by the PutaruruCambridge road. From there, although it offers good fishing in places, it loses its distinction as an angling stream. But I have tried it in various places from Horahora down to Mercer, and wherever I have tried it I have taken fish." : ' "- ' '' ' "