FISHING AT TAUPO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22643, 3 February 1937, Page 15

FISHING AT TAUPO

SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

TROUT IN BETTER CONDITION SOME LARGE ONES CAUGHT The trout fishing at Taupo and Tokaanu has on the whole been very disappointing this year, but one encouraging feature is that many of the fish taken are larger and in better condition than for three or four years past. I.lie fish up to the present have not been rising freely to the artificial fly, but the view is held that the season is a late one and the time should be approaching when good sport will be obtained. The Waitahanui River mouth, which has been fishing very poorly all the season, is giving better yields and four fish have been landed over 91b., the largest being 10}lb., caught by Mr. T. Gardiner, of New Plymouth, on Friday morning. Mr. F. Reynolds, of Whakatane, caught two fish in half an hour, the weights being 9}lb. and 6}lb. Trolling parties have met with varied results, but in the heavy rain on Friday afternoon Mr. T. Buchanan, trolling in a lowboat in the bay at Waitahanui, caught six good fish. Fly-fishing from the shore at Rangatira Point on Monday an Auckland doctor landed 13 good trout, including two over 61b. The Tongariro River has disappointed many anglers so far, but the first "run" may be expected at any time. A hopeful sign is that many large fish in good condition are being caught at the mouth near the delta. One theory of the improvement in the size of the trout this season is that the high lake last year has augmented the food supply. The increase in the quantity of natural food may also supply a reason why the fish have not risen as freely to the artificial fly as usual. Last year the shores of the lake in different bays provided good fly-fishing, but this year the fish have not been nearly as plentiful. However, hope springs eternal with the fisherman, and many anglers say there will be a good ending to a season that started very poorly.