“SO MANY RODS”

Southland Times, Issue 21000, 5 February 1930, Page 6

“SO MANY RODS”

ANGLERS’ VIPWS CONDEMNATION OF, SALMON RAINBOW TROUT FAVOURED On Saturday in a leading article in the Southland Times, a suggestion was made that in view of the excessive demands made by fishermen on the rivers of Southland, an erperiment in conservation should ,be carried out on certain rivers. Yesterday a letter appeared in the Southland Times, over the name of “Angler,” which alleged that the attempt to acclimatize the Atlantic salmon on Lake Te Anau had been a failure, and that the prohibition of the rainbow trout on the same lake was a mistake.' The letter also stated that the fish at present in many of the rivers were poor in both quality and quantity. Yesterday a Times reporter interviewed several prominent anglers, and obtained their views on Salmon fishing, the rainbow trout and the conservation scheme.

Mr D. Wishart said that he agreed with the correspondent “Angler”as far as Atlantic salmon were concerned. The salmon on Lake Te Anau were very miserable. He said that the idea of closing down a river every year was a good one. The experiment could be tried in order to see whether the fish would improve in size, weight, and number. It would be a good idea to introduce the rainbow trout. They were a good sporting fish and would do well. “I consider that eels take more fish than all the anglers put together,” said Mr “If the Acclimatization Society would spend a portion of its revenue in getting rid of eels, it would do more good than by liberating eyed ova.” Mr Wishart’s suggestion was that so much a head should be allowed on eels for a year or two. Mr T. S. Mackie, a member of the Council of the Acclimatization Society, when approached, said that salmon fishing had never appealed to him personally. Salmon had never been successful from an angler’s point of view. He'thought that the closing of part of a stream could do no harm, and it could be seen in the future whether it would be beneficent or not. Certain Southland rivers, namely the Makarewa, Mimihau and Wyndham, had natural sanctuaries. Only a portion of these streams could be fished and those portions always provided good sport. In his opinion the eels were not a menace. The trout fed on eels in the elva stage, and the grown eel fed on the trout later. There was always a balance in Nature. The rainbow trout provided fine sport. He would much prefer to see the Waiau watershed stocked with rainbow than with salmon. Rainbow weighing up to 19 lbs had been caught in the Monowai district. Another point mentioned by Mr Mackie was that. in portions of the New River there were rather many small fish, but such rivers as the Makarewa, Aparima and Orawia could carry a lot more fish. They could stand quite a lot more stocking. Mr Mackie concluded by saying that in the near future anglers could rest assured that no more eyed ova would be sold in the north.

When asked to give his opinion on the subject, Mr Lester Walker, president of the Southland Angler’s Club, said that the whole subject was a matter for an expert. He understood that the Acclimatization Society was contributing to the cost of bringing an expert down south. Personally, he was in favour of giving conservation a trial. An arrangement could be made between the different angling clubs whereby it would be agreed that portions of certain streams would be left alone. The trouble was that when anglers took out small fish they handled them with their hands before putting them back again. This was responsible for killing a number of small fish. A damp cloth- should always be used when handling fish under 10 inches in length. He was strongly in favour of introducing rainbow trout. Salmon fishing did not provide any sport for an experienced angler. On the other hand, the rainbow grew to a magnificent size and provided exciting sport. A point to be considered, in his opinion, was that in recent years the number of anglers in Southland had doubled. There were now approximately 1,500 license-holders in Southland. At present the rivers had no decently sized fish and anglers were not fishing to any great extent. It was evident that some action would have to be taken in the matter, and it was for that reason that conservation should be given a trial. Mr W. -H. Dunnage, secretary of the Southland Anglers’ Club, said that in his opinion the Acclimatization Society should certainly take a firm stand in the matter and close a river, or stretches of rivers, each season until conditions were righted. Acclimatization Societies in other parts of New Zealand had found it necessary to close rivers; it ’ was high time the Southland body followed suit. It was no earthly use leaving the matter for anglers to decide. They would never reach unanimity. There was only one solution of the trouble, and that was drastic action by the Southland Acclimatization Society. ‘ ATLANTIC SALMON. ] To the Editor. Sir, —Referring to the various articles written in connection with the salmon and trout in our waters, in' l the first place it is very doubtful indeed if the species mentioned arc Atlantic salmon, or as Sir Harry Lauder says, “something different.” I well remember many years ago being told by a party then acquainted with the Lakes district that large fish were plentiful there long before salmon fry was liberated) but on account of at that time Te Anau being out of the. way and very difficult of access, nothing was done to investigate the matter, therefore it was only when the place was opened up that the public became aware of their existence. Fish similar to Lake Te Anau salmon are also plentiful in Lakes Poteretere and MeKerrow and the Hollyford river, and the reason that they are not obtained from these places is as previously mentioned regarding Te Anau, the inaccessibility of the locality. The writer has caught salmon in tidal waters where feed is plentiful and the largest was about lllbs in weight, therefore Atlantic salmon under the same conditions should be 451bs or so. However, apart from the identity of the fish, the method adopted of placing eyed ova in the rivers is erroneous. When some of the first fry were liberated at Branxholme about 48 or 49 years ago, I, with others, went to considerable trouble and a little expense in taking the yearlings through rough tussocks and swamps and liberating them in the New River at Oporo, and we doubt those then so liberated were a success and the forerunners of the present stock.

For some time dissatisfaction has been expressed with the action of the committee of the Acclimatization Society and two new’ members were placed upon the board at last election and I understand that steps are being taken by the anglers to have more fresh members at next annual meeting. If so, then "we may be able to obtain a little more information about certain methods and doings which appear to be kept quiet just now.—*l am, etc., LICENSEHOLDER.