TROUT FISHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22901, 2 December 1937, Page 17

TROUT FISHING

REPORTS TO MINISTER GOOD SPORT ENJOYED COMMENTS BY MR. PARRY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINOTON, "Wednesday Excellent fishing was enjoyed at Hotorua and Taupo during the first fortnight of the trout fishing season, according to reports which have been received from departmental officers by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. Commenting on the position, Mr. Parry said that comments had been made that the fish were becoming more and more scarce, that they were in poor condition, and that the average weight was on the decline. Reports showed that excellent fish of good weights had been caught at Lake Okataina, Lake Rotoehu and Lake Tarawera. Lake Rotorua bad been adversely affected by a good deal of wind, but nevertheless reasonably good results had been obtained. Anglers had been successful at Lake Waikaremoana and, although rivers in the Bay of Plenty area had been low and clear, some good catches of well-conditioned fish 'had been taken. Fish caught in the Taupo district had excelled in weight and condition thoso taken at the same time last year, and there had been no complaints as to numbers. The Minister said the reports from which ho had quoted were authentic, officers having received instructions that thev were to report only thoso catches which could bo vouched for. Some fish, mostly tno late spawners in the streams running; into the lakes, were not in the best of condition, which was only natural, but from many of the lakes splendid catches of goodconditioned fish had been taken, and the limit had been the boast of several anglers. "It is very pleasing to me," added Mr. Parry, "to know that there is an improvement in the fisheries this season. Communications have como from anglers who have returned from the districts bearing out reports by departmental officers. We are determined by conservation and other means to keep the fisheries up to the, highest possible standard for the enjoyment not only of residents within the districts, but of the people from other parts of NewZealand and overseas visitors."