AVERAGE SPORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 11 December 1946, Page 4

AVERAGE SPORT

ANGLING_ SEASON WEATHER UNSUITABLE WAIKAREMOANA QUIET (P.A.) ROTORUA, Dec. 11. A report from tile conservator of fish and game in Rotorua, Mr. S. McNamara. indicates that sport has been average, although not outstanding in the Rotorua. Taupo, Waikaremoana and Tokna.nu areas since the opening of the season. Taupo reports showed that sport on the whole had been up to expectations. One or two limit bags had been taken in western bays where anglers had found the best catch. In other parts of the lake the fish had diminished to a great extent due to lack of food, which had been destroyed during the recent low ebb. Aratiatia Rapids Area The lower reaches of the Aratiatia Rapids had not yet been opened to anglers, although the swing bridge which crossed the Waikato at the Huka Falls was under repair and should be safe within two or three days. This bridge was almost completely destroyed by the bush fires this year." At Tokaanu, said Mr. McNamara, the weather had again been the restraining influence this season. 'At Major Jones' poo!, on the Tongariro River, there had been some excellent catches and several limits. The condition of the fish had been good and the sport exciting. The Waiotaka and Tauranga-Taupo streams had also yielded fair catches, as nad the Whitikau. Parties fishing at the Delta had made good catches, the highest being 91b. All reported, however, that the Tongariro was discolouring heavily each late afternoon owing to the melting of the snow on the mountain ranges above. Heaviest Fish So Far 6Jlb.

From Waikaremoana come reports of very quiet fishing and the heaviest fish caught there this season is 6Jib. The Ruakitori River seems to have fished relatively well, however, and two anglers are reported to have taken 17 fish in one day, the heaviest being 71b. There appears to be an extraordinarily large amount of small fish in the lake. The main observation about Rotorua and district camps is that never before have there been so few sportsmen trying their luck. No doubt the weather has had a lot to do with it, as the fish are in as good condition as can be expected, nor has there been an untoward scarcity of them. At Ohau Channel several limits have been secured, and there have also been records of nice catches from the Ngongotaha Stream. • .«