SOME REMARKABLE TROUTFISHING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1831, 10 April 1907, Page 12

SOME REMARKABLE TROUTFISHING

Just now there are numerous anglers at Tokaanu, and some of the results obtained will bo regarded by those who have not been fishing in the Tongariro (otherwise the Waikato where it enters Lake Taupo) as incredible. Through last week Mr Campbell, an English angler who has fished in the most famous of the world’s waters, Mr Robert Warden, of the Commercial Banking Company, of Sydney, an enthusiastic New South Wales angler; Mr James Warden, of the same bank; and Mr Alex Chisholm, of Kunterville, fished the river nightly,- getting some wonderful fish. Mr Campbell on one night secured twenty fish, aggregating 230ibs in weight, and on another night nearly a dozen fish, running to even greater sizes, 20-pounders being included. Mr Campbell photographed his big catches, but ho felt that even then the size and quality of the fish would not be i*ealised in the Old Country, and he is, therefore, having the 20-pounders stuffed. A 231 b fish was amongst the catches, and the natives report that fish which must reach 501 bs in weight come up the river from the lake. Just now the fish are battling up against the rushing waters seeking their spawning grounds. In order to secure these very big fish Mr Campbell waded up to his armpits in the deep pools in the deeper parts of the river, and on one night of last week was carried off his feet by the rushing waters, and placed in considerable danger. Idle above big fish are, of course, brown trout, but Mr Warden and other members of the party secured rainbow trout up to lllbs and more. On tho other side of the lake, where the Waikato leaves it, visitors were achieving much success by trolling with a spoon bait, but this, of course, is looked upon by the expert angler as murder. Mr Campbell and party caught their fish with the minnow. In this connection it is matter for extreme regret that the Hautapu, which runs for many miles along tho railway line from Taihape, has been dynamited throughout its length. Mr Adamson is reported to have recently found two hundred dead trout in tho stream, and the party of visitors already mentioned who tried to fish tho Hautapu were unable to get a “rise,” and in many cases found the tell-tale dynamite cartridges. Some of the, navvies engaged on the Main Trunk line are blamed for these outrages, but, whoever may be guilty, it is oertainly time that drastic steps were taken to punish the offenders, who injure the district and all sportsmen, local and visiting. As a oonsequence of their action it will be necessary to restock the Hautapu before any good can again be done in it.