POOR FISHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 10

POOR FISHING

THE TAUPO DISTRICT MORE FACILITIES NEEDED NEGLECT BY DEPARTMENT Tho fishing in the Waikato and Tongariro Rivers and Lake Taupo during tho holidays was most disappointing. On an average the lly fishermen secured less than one fish per rod a day. The quality of the fish taken, however, was excellent and the average weight at Taupo is said to have been over one pound more than last year. The Taupo Lake shores have been almost fruitless this year. It is hoped that the fish are still in deep water and will appear later. Tho first run of fish seems to have taken place in the Tongariro, as a few fresh run of excellent quality have been secured. The sport of angling becomes more popular every year and it is a great pity that tho Department of Internal Affairs is doing so little for licenceholders. The Taupo anglers like to fish the Waikato River above tho Huka Falls, but find no tracks are provided. Good fishing exists across the Huka Falls ..Bridge, but a track cut a few years ago has become overgrown and no attention is paid to it. At Tokaanu the same state of neglect is apparent. A road to the fine Jones and Delatour pools lias been washed away and nothing has been done to repair it. The department has its hatchery manager, its rangers and other officials, but never seems to employ any labourers to assist in giving access. The old pools available become less and the many new ones that could be opened up on tho Tongariro and other rivers are entirely neglected. Truly in present hands the anglers find that tho department has only one policy—to take all their money and resist all requests for expenditure. The Waitahanui River at Taupo is fished to death because other good water is not available. Disappointed anglers leave the Dominion every year never to return, and still the 'Department of Internal Affairs sleeps on as far as any development of our wonderful fishing asset is concerned.