BROWN TROUT

Southland Times, Issue 22076, 25 July 1933, Page 8

BROWN TROUT

WORK AT HATCHERIES INTERESTING TRIP TO TE ANAU STRIPPING OPERATIONS The southern lakes have a charm all their own, and it was this thought as much as the prospect of seeing the hatcheries and traps at Lake Te Anau that tempted the members of the council of the Southland Acclimatization Society to leave their beds at an early hour on Sunday morning and make a journey of 118 miles to one of the loveliest spots in Southland. They were amply rewarded for their sacrifice, for they spent an interesting day inspecting the methods by which Southland s streams are kept well stocked and viewing the magnificent scenery. It was dark and a drizzling rain was falling in Invercargill at 7 a.m. when the charabanc was timed to leave. A late start proved a blessing to several whose alarm clocks had apparently failed to function, but it did not improve the patience of others who were waiting along the route. At Mossburn a small contingent of Gore members was picked up and it was just midday when the waters of the lake came in sight. An early breakfast and a long charabanc journey were the cause of a concerted rush on the cottage of the society’s manager, Mr C. J. Evans, when it leaked out that hot soup was to be served. A cup of soup to each man proved a splendid tonic and visibly improved the appearance of many who were already beginning to show signs of wear and tear. Unfortunately a thick mist covered the mountains on the west side of the lake and all that was visible was bushclad hills rising about 100 ft from the water, which lay still and calm. , A walk across the road and the party inspected the Te Anau hatchery, containing the eyed ova. The ova lay on trays in spring water obtained from nearby. The temperature-of the water is always constant. Trap In The River. The next point of interest was the trap in the Eglinton River, and the drive over the new road along the edge of the lake commenced. The fog lying over the mountains in all directions obstinately refused to lift and muttered remarks passed from mouth to mouth inside the charabanc. Hardly had the boat harbour at the Te Anau Downs homestead been reached than the sun broke through and it needed little imagination to conceive what a beautiful spot it would be in summer time.

It was decided to travel around the lake by launch rather than walk overland to the Eglinton River, and for an interesting few minutes the dinghy plied between the launch and the shore. There were tense moments, particularly on one occasion when uneven loading allowed but a few inches of freeboard on one side. But for a cold wind the voyage along the lake would have been a sheer delight, affording glimpses of the middle and south arms and the one or two islets that dot the surface of Te Anau.

The glimpse of a native pigeon as soon as the boat touched the shore aroused the camera enthusiasts. After some stealthy stalking the bird . was snapped in a favourable position, lunches brought from town were eaten and then the trap was visited. Stripping operations were in progress when the party arrived. July is considered to be the month during which the run of fish down the river is at its height and the men employed at the traps were busily engaged. During the season the fish are going up-river to spawn, the trap—a long wooden boom—is lifted and then put back into place when they commence to come down to the lake again. Their way is barred by the structure extending the width of the river and they are ultimately forced into a wire-netting cage in the centre. From there they are taken to the pounds at the edge of the river, the males separated from the females and stripping commenced. The work is carried out expeditiously, the ova being taken to an adjacent “eyeing” station. Here it is kept till the eyes appear, when it can be transported with impunity. It is then taken down to Te Anau and kept there till a further stage of maturity is reached, the fry then being buried on the edge of the water, to later go into the river as trout. Southland The First. The Southland Society was among the first to undertake artificial reproduction, the idea being to safeguard the ova against the inevitable accidents associated with Nature. Not only did the operations at Te Anau assist in keeping the rivers of Southland stocked, but they resulted in a considerable amount of revenue being gained by the society through selling ova to northern bodies. Now, however, the majority of those bodies have followed the Southland Society and are artificially hatching ova themselves. Admiring comments were passed on all sides at the quality of the brown trout that were being handled at the trap. They were particularly fine specimens, worthy of the efforts of any angler. Towards the end of the afternoon, as the inspection of the traps was being completed, a grand sight was witnessed as the low-lying clouds rolled away from the summit of Mt. Eglinton, towering above the silvery water of the river as it moved towards the lake. More and more of the mountain came into view, till it was totally visible in its grandeur, dominating completely the view to the north. On the slender planking of the trap out in the river and on the banks cameras were again produced to capture permanently the magnificent spectacle. Mt. Arnaud away to the west remained invisible, wrapped securely in a billowy mantle. All too soon the return trip was commenced, but this time several energetic persons preferred to walk around the lake to Te Anau Downs. Several cases of ova had to be transported to the launch and from there to a waiting motor car, and the enthusiasts who volunteered for the task were soon panting heavily. At least one prominent banker and several commercial men were to be noticed in their number as they toiled laboriously along the track, inhaling and exhaling enormous quantities of air at each step. Impression Of Loveliness. By the time the party had arrived at the Te Anau Downs homestead again the clouds had also lifted from the peaks along the far shore of the lake and for the first time their snowy tops and seemingly sheer sides came into view. Mirrored in the placid waters of the lake they gave an impression of loveliness. The return journey along the lake was a delightful one. Necks were constantly craned in the direction of the lake to capture a view there; then someone would catch a glimpse behind of snow-clad mountains peeping through the native bush, causing an abrupt turn in that direction. . Just before the bush Was left the’rays of the setting sun could be seen striking

the white topped mountains in a glaze of opalescent glory. There was only a short stop at the hatchery and then the journey home commenced. A thick fog in The Wilderness even failed to dampen the ardour of some members, and they caught imaginary eight-pounders as only true anglers are able. Shortly after seven o’clock Mossbum was reached and the cheerily-lighted hotel was promptly invaded by a host of ravenous travellers. After tea consumed during a convivial chat Mossbum was left behind, Invercargill being reached after a short run, and a day at once educationally useful and enjoyable came to an end.