SALMO SALAR.

Southland Times, Issue 21001, 6 February 1930, Page 9

SALMO SALAR.

To the Editor. Sir, —As much of the world’s knowledge concerning salmo salar is purely speculative, based admittedly on inadequate investigation, it is indeed refreshing to read the very definite conclusion arrived at by your correspondent “Angler.” I doubt if it will disconcert that gentleman to know that Mr A. Hefford, our Chief Inspector of Fisheries, would decline to make such definite statements with the scant knowledge of facts at present known concerning our Waiau. . .... In order to appreciate the position it is necessary to correct some of your correspondent’s statements and to add others he has not mentioned. . . In very few of the rivers flowing into the seas surrounding the British coasts do salmo salar attain a size of 45 to 75 pounds. Those interested in checking this statement can see the annual maxima taken from leading salmo salar rivers in the Salmon and Trout Magazine, wherein they will see that the Tweed and Tay are unrivalled. J. A. Thomson, a British authority, attributes this extra growth to proximity to the North Sea herring supply. The maxima weights given for Western Irish streams and the Welsh Wye are much lower. It has been suggested that our seas lack the abundant and rich fish supply around the British coasts; we do not know, and this matter will in due time be ascertained. It is incorrect to say that five years ago the average taken in To Anau was 91bs—the evidence of the society's staff is against such a statement and so is the evidence of the fish stripped from the Upok—rather over 6, and under 64 is nearly correct. The average weight killed this season is under 41bs.

The complaint about slabs is quite justified. If your correspondent persists in killing unmended fish, he should do as most experienced anglers do, return them to the water; they have not recovered and are unfit for food.

Evidence can be obtained to prove that the numbers taken this year from the outlet (irrespective of weight) are greatly below the previous year. Trolling from boats, using large hooks and thick gut, is not angling, and were it not for the incomparable beauty and charm of Te Anau, would only attract the unwanted type of angler. Further, it is hopelessly overdone, and no such limited locality in any part of the world could stand 1500 fish being killed in 30 weeks, not to mention a similar quantity with torn and injured jaws which are not killed. Fish can be caught from the bank as was done recently by three rods landing 19 fish in two days, during which time was spent prospecting. The party included an expert with a casting rod, and your correspondent should try this class of angling, it has come to stay, and as a result the 136 miles of Waiau- water will rival the Tongariro. More recently a local angler, again using a casting rod. killed 3 fish in 2 hours below the mouth of the Wairaki. The suggestion to clear scrub at suitable points along the Waiau has already been mentioned and will receive attention this winter. Mr E. C. Govan wanted this done years ago. That all the salmon are landlocked, is incorrect. Salmo salar have been taken from the Waiau between the Lakes, at and below Manapouri, off the mouth of the Mararoa, at Clifden, at Waiau mouth, and from the Wairaurahiri.

Recently the Marine Department have decided to restore the ova taken from the Upok to the various tributaries of the Waiau instead of exporting to the Wanganui. It is also suggested that fresh ova should be obtained from Scotland. Dr Dahl affirms that in the fishing world as in the animal world, like begets like—strip a 601 b female and its progeny will grow in the sea ultimately attaining a like size, hence, if you strip small fish you will ultimately get small fish, and this by the way may explain another matter your correspondent deals with, viz., decadence of our brown trout. On Sunday, cleaning two small 10 and 11 inchers they were found in spawn. The question arises, what sort of stock would they have produced? Minnows! Why? Inadequate food. How is this accounted for? Probably by overstocking and coincident with ruthless whitebait netting. The remainder of your correspondent’s letter regarding planting eyed ova is unworthy of attention. If he studies recent Scottish authorities, the bulletins issued by the United States Fisheries Board, or consults Mr Hefford, our New Zealand expert, he will ascertain that this is sound and economic practice, and is followed by piscatorial authorities in many parts of the world. The associate societies have embarked on a scheme for research. In due time we shall know more than we do now, and in the meantime acclimatization work, under Mr Hefford’s guidance, will go on doing good and ill as in the past, but always with the best intentions.—l am, etc., PISCATOR.