DEPLETED WATERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21641, 6 November 1933, Page 6

DEPLETED WATERS

TROUT-FISHING PROBLEM EFFECT OF MOTOR-CARS DISCUSSION IN WELLINGTON One of the problems the Fresh Water Research Society has vincler consideration, says the Dominion, Wellington, is the marked change that has come ever certain aspects of the sport of trout-fishing during the last 10 years or so, and its influence on the future. In the past the various acclimatisation societies throughout New Zealand have jogged along in a fairly satisfactory way—keeping the streams well stocked" with fry from the various hatcheries. In that manner good fishing has been provided for the many, though that number, say, twenty years ago, perhaps represented half the total of rods that bend and quiver over New Zealand's streams to-day. Some 800 licences have been taken out in the Wellington district for the current season, "lhe problem involved is the proportion of those licence holders who own motor-cars, and who can reach most streams within an hour —many within half an hour. They are perfectly within their rights in doing so, but" what the acclimatisation societies are concerned about is the heavy demand made upon the streams they stock as a result of the ease with which these streams can be reached by motorcars. Early Morning Jaunts There are those in Wellington today, who, on fine mornings, may rise early, speed out to the Akatarawa or Wainui, and yet return in time to reach their offices at nine o'clock. The growth of this practice, it is feared, must lead ito the depletion of the streams early in the season,. and prevent the growth of a percentage of fish which otherwise would have b, chance of attaining maturity. It is considered that there are two or three ways of meeting the situation. One way would be by intensifying the stocking of the streams by the societies; a second way would be by limiting the weekly, monthly, or season's catch; and still another way would be to raise the cost of licences. At present licences for men to fish almost anywhere in New Zealand cost £1 for men and OS for women or boys. Of that the Government receives Is a licence to cover the cost of selling them over the post office counter. It is understood that in no other part of the world can such excellent trout-fishing be secured at anything like such a low cost. Even if the cost of licences were doubled they would still be low compared with what such privileges cost in other countries. Apt Illustration

In the meantime the matter of the increasing ease with which streams are made vulnerable through improved roads and the motor-car is a matter of some concern to interested authorities. One keen angler, who knows the Wellington streams well, states that on one occasion he fished the Wainui with a couple of fishermen from England. One of them owned three miles of water and the other, one mile. The former leased his for £IOOO for the season and the other received £250 for his mile. Thus both were able to make the trip to 2sew Zealand and back and get the best trout-fishine in the world for a mere twenty shillings.