ANGLING STATISTICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22352, 28 August 1934, Page 4

ANGLING STATISTICS

RECORDS OF LAST SEASON APPEAL FOR FURTHER DATA. As the result of an appeal made by the Otago Acclimatisation Society at the commencement of last angling season, 121 anglers returned records of their catches for the period. The total number of licenses sold was 2258, so that only 5.3 per cent, of anglers furnished returns. The records, which were placed before the monthly meeting of the council of the society last night, showed that 121 anglers took 10,650 trout, an average of 88 each. Only 03 reported catching eels, the total number taken being 1214, representing an average of 19 each. Only 81 returns relating to the anglers’ 12 largest fish were received, the total weight of these amounting to 22211 b Coz. The average weight per 12 fish was 271 b Ooz, or 21b 4|oz per fish. The six largest returns of 12 largest fish were as follows: —731 b 13oz, 601 b Boz, sGlb, 531 b 4oz, 521 b. Based on 121 returns, the average weight per fish was 1 lib 3|oz. An analysis of the lures used was as follows: —Artificial —using flies, 74 anglers took 6554 fish, an average of 88 each. Minnows and spoons, etc., were used by 22 anglers. Natural—bullies, minnows, etc., were used by seven anglers. Using ’ worms, 35 anglers took 849 fish, an average of 24 each. Other baits were used by six anglers. The following tag will be attached to tlie licenses issued during the coming season;—“ For the benefit of all license holders you should send in your return at the end of the season. The society was pleased to receive 121 returns last season from which a summary was compiled. The returns represent an increase of 100 per cent, over those received the previous year, but the number is still too small to permit definite proof being furnished that the absence in any quantity of sizeable fish in some of our waters is caused by anglers taking too many trout. The figures do show clearly that the average license holder who was interested enough to send in a return took only 88 trout for the season. It is believed that if license holders will send in their returns for 1934-35, the society will have positive evidence that license holders take less than 2 per cent, of the number of trout put into our waters. The society desires to improve the fishing in Otago waters, and your co-operation, which will involve but little effort on your part, will do much to assist in providing better sport. Whether you can catch one trout or 800 it is important to send in your return.”