FISHING REGULATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20882, 26 May 1931, Page 5

FISHING REGULATIONS.

WIRE TRACES RESTRICTED. USE OF LONG POLES BARRED. Two new regulations relating to fishing in all districts in New Zealand have just been gazetted. One prohibits the use of any wire trace, either plain or twisted, or gimp trace of more than 21 standard gauge, while the other prevents the use of a rod consisting of only one piece of more than lift, in length. A maximum fine of £2O is provided for breach of these regulations.

A member of the executive of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society stated yesterday that the society had taken no action in having the new regulations imposed and was not aware that they were to be brought info force. The provisions might have been sought'by southern societies or might have been introduced on tho recommendation of the conservator of fish and game at Hotorua. This last explanation seemed the most likely, as the restriction on the length of one-piece rods would not affect the ordinary sportsman, but would prevent Maoris fishing with bamboo or tea-tree poles 12ft. or 15ft. long. These poles were only rarely seen in the bands of ordinary anglers, but were frequently used by natives. The other regulation would not affect the average angler,, although a heavy, twisted brass wire line with a linen centre used solely for trolling from launches would now be barred. The regulation also meant the prohibition of practically all gimp traces, as nearly all were larger than 21 gauge. The smallest, listed by manufacturers as the 5/0 size, might be allowed. Traces of twisted wire of more than 21 gauge with heavy swivels were made, but were not used by many flyfishermen, the great majority employing silk or twisted gut traces. The use of these, of course, was not affected.