FISHING AT TAUPO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 11

FISHING AT TAUPO

UNSUITABLE WEATHER VERY FEW GOOD CATCHES WAIKATO RIVER OVERCROWDED Anglers state that trout fishing at Taupo during the holidays was most, disappointing because of the weather and tlie scarcity of fish, and good catches were very exceptional. The lake shores and riverinouths that usually provide good fishing were almost bare. The Waikato I'iver above the Huka Falls provided fair fishing, but was verv much overcrowded because of the number of anglers camping on the shores. The stretch from Aratiatia ltapids to the Huka Falls held some very fine fish in better condition than has been the case in past years. These fish did not take the fly to any extent, but were obtained in fair numbers by those who indulged in spinning. The trolling from launches in Lake Taupo did not provide the usual quantity of fish, although in some cases on certain days fair results were obtained. The quality of the fish was quite good for this time of the year, although not equal to those obtained in the upper reaches of the Waikato River. Below the Aratiatia Rapids fish seemed to be plentiful, but the quality was by no means equal to those taken out above the rapids. Tourists report that it was a very interesting sight to see large quantities of fish jumping and struggling to make their way up the rapids. As the volume of water passing over the rapids decreases as the dry season advances it is anticipated by anglers that the fish will pass up in greater numbers. With regard to the lake fishing, it is considered that at the present time the fish are out in the deeper and cooler water and that fishing from the lake shores will not be good until the approach of cooler weather in early autumn. The condition of the fish at Taupo suggests that feed is more plentiful this year and the prediction is made that before the season closes some verv large fish will be secured. Already one good ]2-poundcr has been taken from the lake.