ANGLING PROSPECTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 December 1928, Page 6

ANGLING PROSPECTS.

♦- —-— A VISIT TO TAU-PO. TROUT IX GOOD CONDITION.

Air J. 11. Miller, of Wanganui, who is an enthusiastic angler, has just returned from a short stay at Tolcaanu, and in conversation with a ‘ ‘Hawcra .Star” representative gave a glowing iivcount of the fishing that may be expected in the Taupo district this season. Already the trout are not only plentiful but in splendid condition. Mr Miller’s immediate purpose on the visit referred to was not to fish but to erect a wliaro which he will occupy later on when he takes his vacation and will fish in earnest. He could not resist spending a few hours with the rod at the mouth of the Tongariro Biver and he got some nice fish up to nine pounds in weight. This was not noteworthy, though the fish are at this early period of the season larger than has been the vase of more recent years; it is the splendid condition of the trout and the promise of better still that has made Mr Miller anxious to spread the good news for the benefit of other anglers, especially those in this district whom he, as an old South Taranakian, has a kind regard. Nut only does the fishing promise to !>e as good as in .1322-23, but other conditions have improved, notably in relation to the roads and accommodation. The road from Yvaimarino to Tokaami has been well graded and has now a good surface for travelling and the accommodation at Tokaami is firstclass.

Mr Miller lias been a yearly visitor to Taupo for the past twenty years and what ho reports may be relied upon as accurately describing the position. Incidentally it may be stated that 35 rears ago Mr Miller was with his father on a farm on the Finnertv Boad_ Ngaore, and claims that they were the first to establish trout hatcheries in South Taranaki. Two large dams were constructed and five small ones, the fish being reared in the small dams and liberated in the larger pools. The shags were so troublesome that it was necessary to cover the small dams with wire netting to foil the raiders which were in constant attendance.