NETTING TROUT

Southland Times, Issue 19654, 3 October 1922, Page 2

NETTING TROUT

To the Editor. Sir,— Anglers like myself have read your Saturday’s article with much interest. I assure you that Southland river fishing had become world famous prior to and a few years following license to net. Any working man with rod and tackle could be sure of a nice fish for the family, plus a few hours healthy recreation. Then came the “wipe out.” I do not think I am overdrawing it in saying that until the last two years it was hardly worth anyone’s while to take out a river license to fish in the manner intended by those farseeing pioneers who introduced trout both in the interest of sport and the working man generally. As to the statement made public anent the mischievous migratory habiLs of trout, well, it will take some explaining even to the veriest tyro student. The now long and well established fact that trout migrate to sea and return to the rivers to spawn—providing they are given a fair run at the rivers and estuary mouths —is exactly what was hoped for by thane , men, who first introduced the fish to some Southland rivers; and proof of the result was anxiously awaited because in those days it was believed by some (and rightly too) that other suitable rivers would become’ stocked naturally through this much desired migratory habit. To allow netting at river mouths and estuaries where each season trout conceuirate at nature’s bidding, would be to the detriment of hundreds of anglers and tourists with rod and line, whose limit is a river bank. Netting benefits only a few traders and those with the long pocket who heed not fancy shop prices for a rare table delicacy the poor man cannot afford. Since

it is a fact that trout go out to sea, then, that seems the only place where they should be taken by net, similarly to other deep sea fish, and the landsman will still have his sporting chance with the rod. Why even the blue cod, once a common enough and every day fish, despite bis whole stretch of open ocean cover, appears to be disappearing fast, if present day local supplies are any indication. What would become of him if he was a “river-homer,* concentrating at certain seasons like trout, and netting was allowed? It would be the end of. him, too. I am, etc., WORKEB. October 2.