TAUPO FISHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23603, 12 March 1940, Page 9

TAUPO FISHING

IMPROVED CONDITIONS GOOD SPORT ENJOYED LIMIT CATCHES REPORTED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] I ■ TAUPO, Monday With a light easterly wind blowing since Wednesday up to last night, . i when it ngain changed to the west, fishing conditions greatly improved, particularly on the eastern side of the lake. The western side has been fishing well practically all the season. The lake level is very high at present and i most of the rivers are again running normal and clear. The fish on tho whole appear to be in good condition, although not large. j The few anglers at present here are ; enjoying good sport. Mr. R. E. Seaville, of Hamilton, at the mouth of the Hatepe, in one day took seven fish, including one of 7£lb. Also at the | Hatepe, Mr. R. Ruby, of Masferton, and Mr. W. Hansard and Dr. Beddie, of Dannevirke, took their limits for two days. Mr. and Mrs. Alwin and a friend, of the United States, fishing between Whakaipo and Mine Point, secured, ; limits. The latest fish, one of 71b., j was landed by Mr. Alwin. • Mr. and j< Mrs. McHardy and Mr. and Mrs. W. * Smith, of Hawke's Bay, landed 21 fish in one day at Whangamata. Mrs. McHardy took the best, which weighed 81b. Mr. and Mrs. R. T. .Reid, of Hamilton, and Mr. J. P. Sheehan, of Taupo, in /one day near Rotongaio Point, landed 23 fish, the best being 7slb. by Mrs. Reid. \ Major Wiljoughby Tottenham, of j: Suva, has averaged two fish a day from the Waitahanui River, including one of 91b. Mr. G. Buddie, of Auck- !■ land, also at Waitahanui, took seven fish in one day, his best being one of .ji 71b. Mr. C. Latrobe, fishing the even-: ing rise at the Waitahanui mouth, !j landed eight fish, the beat weighing 81b. Lieutenant G. G. Cowburn, D.S.C., ii of H.M.S. Achilles, fishing mainly the evening rise at Fulljames camp, has !) averaged three fish a day for the last 10 days. His best was 4£lb. Lieutenant .;j Sewell, of the Achilles, also at Fulljames camp, has been taking two to three fish a day. ii

ROTORUA LAKES I RESTOCKING PROBLEM RELEASE OF FINGERLINGS ROD AND GUN CLUB'S REQUEST [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] ij NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday | So serious has the position become in the Rotorua district in connection with the diminution of the trout supply that members of the Rotorua Rod and Gun Club are pressing strongly for the Government to introduce a system of 1 fish hatching and liberation of fingerlings instead of the present system of liberation of fry. To reinforce their arguments in favour of this system, several members of the club paid an invitation visit, to New Plymouth to confer with the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society and to investigate the system of fish rearing carried on. They were so impressed with what they saw and learned that they returned more than ever convinced that hatchery work provided the best means of restoring the Rotorua lakes and streams to their former state among the country's most attractive fishing areas. The president of the Rotorua Club, Mr. J. F. Thomas, said it had been a great surprise to the visitors to see fine healthy fish being reared under excellent conditions. He had not seen one fish that showed any sign of disease. He contrasted the presentgcondition of things in the Rotorua district with what obtained a- few years ago, and said that, where in former years rods were to be seen out in their hundreds, to-day there were very few anglers to be seen and the fish they caught were even fewer. There would be a disastrous diminution in the number of licences issued in future until the position was restored. At present the number of licences issued in the district was approximately 14.000. What they had seen in Taranaki would carry weight with them in assisting them to get holding ponds and a hatchery for Rotorua, Mr.. Thomas | added.