TROUT FISHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 12

TROUT FISHING

ROTOEUA PEOSPECTS STREAMS WELL STOCKED SEASON OPENS ON WEDNESDAY [UY TELEGRAPH —OffX CORRESPONDENT] ROTORUA, Sunday Good prospects are indicated for the opening of the trout-fishing season in the Botorua district on Wednesday, and it is probable that there will be many rods out. Liberations ol fry from tho new Ngongotaha hatchery will probably bo completed next week, bringing the total liberated from tho hatchery during tho season to approximately 5,000,000, while about 3,000,000 have been hatched at Tokaanu and Waikaremoa na.

Visits made to various parts of the Botorua fishing district during the last few days have given indications that there are ample fish about. In the Oban Channel many small fish were seen, but probably owing to tho warmer temperatures experienced lately compared with former years the larger trout appear to have worked out into the lakes. Several good rises have already been seen in the TJtuhina Stream, at tho Ohau Channel, and in Lakes Botoiti and Okataina, fish of between Gib. and 81b. having been seen at Okataina. Good rises have also been seen in Okareka Lake, which until recently lias not been greatly fished, while tho Bay of Plenty rivers appear to be teeming with naturally spawned fry, and several good rises havo been seen there. The prospects appear to be more promising than for some seasons past, but, as usual, the weather is the governing factor, many of tho fishing waters being practically unfishable during strong westerlies. Although it is very doubtful whether there will be the number of overseas anglers in New Zealand this season owing to the war, it is anticipated that many Australians will make the trip and spend some time in the Botorua and Taupo districts after visiting the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington.

THE TAUPO AREAS FISH SEEM PLENTIFUL FEW LARGE ONES SEEN FACILITIES FOR ANGLERS [BY TELKGIIAFH —OWN COIt RESPONDENT] TAUPO, Sunday When the Taupo fishing season opens on Wednesday the new regulations will come into force. Those apply moro particularly to trolling and harling. The prospects for fly fishing, appear t-o be bright. Fish are very numerous in the Waikato River from the wharf right down to l'lillianies' Camp, while on the western side of the lake, at such places as Whanganui, Wailiora, Waihana, Hini Point and Rangatara Point, good fish have been seen. On the eastern side, from the two-milo bay round as far as Tauranga-Taupo, and including such favourite spots as the three-mile and four-mile bays, Waitahanui, Hatepe, Waipihi and Motutere Point, all show a marked increase in the numbers of fish to be seen. The spawning season was an exceptionally good one and large numbers of fry were to be seen in most of tho rivers and streams. One noticeable fact is that, although there are plenty of good-conditioned fish about, few largo ones have been seen. The lake level is about normal. The new road which is being built around the western side of the lake is now open to all traffic as far as Acacia Bay. This will be of particular interest to anglers, as it gives access to some good fishing grounds, which are rarely affected by weather. A splendid view of the lake, mountains and Taupo township, particularly when the wild broom is in full flower, is also obtained from this road.

There are very few overseas anglers booked in for the coming season.

GOOD ARAPUNI CATCH UNUSUAL LATE GROWTH [from our own correspondent] CAMBRIDGE, Saturday Great interest has been aroused in a large brown trout caught at Arapuni on the opening day of the season by Mr. F. W. Broun, engineer in charge at the power station. The fish, which weighed 11 j lb. t was 29Jin. long, with a girth of 17^in. ]t lias since been examined by a biologist, who has reniarked that the fish showed unusual growth after six years, for after that age the evidence of' growth on scales is usually very slight. The scales of the fish indicated that it was nine years old and that its length at the end of each year of growth was 2.1 in., 4.6 in., 8.7 in., IG.. r )in., 21.2 in., 24.5 in., 27.5 in., 28.7 in. and 29.5 in.