TROUT FISHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12737, 14 December 1904, Page 3

TROUT FISHING

i «fl» . .••■-., I Cmi , WAIKATO RIVER. GREAT THINGS HOPED FOR. QUANTITIES OF FISH FOUND. An announcement likely to prove of considerable importance to Auckland as a trout-fishing centre in the near future, was made at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, by the president (Mr. Fred Karl), who stated that a letter had been received from Mr. Frost, of Timkau, pointing to the existence of both salmon and rainbow trout in considerable quantities in the Waikato River. The letter was read by the secretary (Mr. Cheeseman), and contained' the information that from Tuakau down to within seven miles of the Waikato Heads fish had frequently been both seen and caught, and found to take the bait freely. The Maoris, when netting mullet in the river, had frequently taken trout, and though showing hesitancy in giving information, owing to the fear of getting into trouble? one party of natives had informed the writer that in a comparatively short space of time between 40 and 50 trout had been caught, thus showing that the fish were becoming numerous in the lower Waikato. To satisfy the secretary, Mr. Frost had forwarded a 21b tish to that gentleman, and Mr. Cheeoeman informed the meeting that the " two-pounder"' was a plump female fish of the rainbow species, in nice condition. Ranger Spratt, of the Auckland Society, who was authorised to investigate the report, forwarded details of a confirmatory nature. His visit had been inopportune, as. far as the conditions were concerned, these being unfavourable for fishing at the time, but he elicited information to the effect that numbers of trout had been taken, .some of them up to 41b in weight. He himself hooked a fish near Tuakau well over 21b in weight, but failed to land it. Ranger Sprati and Mr. Frost .stated that the Maoris had used both worms and whitebait with success as bait. Mr. Earl remarked, that the news was of the utmost importance, and that the existence of trout so near Auckland might be regarded as the crowning success of the .society's effort to provide sport for anglers. For years the .society had been liberating fry in the Waikato * River and its tributaries, but though fish had been seen at various joints from time to time, it hail not- been previously known that they had increased to such an extent as was indicated by the news now received'. In conversation with the secretary of the society (Mr. Cheeseman) at the' 'close of the meeting, a. Herald representative gathered from that gentleman that great tilings were hoped for. Mr. Cheeseman pointed out that the Waikato River abounds in natural food for the trout; in fact-, food is more abundant between Huntly and the mouth of the Waikato than at Rotorua. So far the only moot point is as to whether the river .provides good breeding grounds, but it can hardly do otherwise, judging by the reports as to the numbers of fish seen and taken. To anglers desirous of a day's fishing at the week end, Rotorua has presented difficulties, both with regard to the expense and the distance from Auckland. If, however, the lower Waikato is, as it promises to become, one of the leading fishing grounds of the Auckland district, these difficulties will not present themselves. Anglers will bo able to run up to the ground by rail on. I Saturday at a comparatively .small cost, and j after a day and a-half's fishing, return to j Auckland in time to resume business oil! ' Monday forenoon. DISTRIBUTION OF FRY. Up to the present the Auckland Acclimatisation Society has liberated, and ordered to be liberated, in the lakes,, rivers, and streams, about the district, upwards of 150,000 trout fry, so that the time is not far distant when, all suitable waters about Auckland should afford good sport. 'the fry already liberated hues been apportioned b>' the Fsslung Committee as under: — Mangonui, 6000; Coromandel, 6000 ; Tau-rang-.i, 3000; the lakes at Kaipara, 2030; Ararim,tt, 1000; Kumeu, 1000; Southern Wairon. ICOO ; Maungatawhiri, 1000 : Lake Waikare, 4000; Waihi, 2000; Te Arena, ;1000' s ; Puniu, 5000; O'ioro-hanga, 2000; Originate, 2000; Rotorua County, 3000. Yesterday a report by the committe for distribution of 102,000' fry was adopted, the localities and quantities being as under : —Hoteo River, 3500. . Maliurungi, 3500; Waiwera, 1000 Southern Wairoa, 1000 ; Onewhen*. 1000; Lake Whangape, 9000; Tairua, 4000; Waihi and Waikinc, 2000; Te Aioha. 5000: Cambridge, 2000; tribul taries of the Illumes,, between* Mangawhara i and Lichfield, 15.000; Otorohanga. 4000; To Kuifi, 4000; Wangaeron-a, 4000; Mohan, 4000 ; Waimeha, 4000 ; Ongarue River, below the junction of the Marainata. 4000 : Tareinramutu, 4000; Upper Wanganui, 4000 ;"Rotorua, 13,000; Taupo, 10,000. LICENSES. The secretary reported at yesterday's meeting that, the trout-fishing licenses so far issued this .season had benefited the society to the extent of something like £300, and said that the amount would' probably be £400 before the (season closed. The licenses last season only totalled £234. The chairman remarked on the satisfactory sale, and .said that the enhanced receipts would enable the society to extend it» usefulness.