SALMON KILL TROUT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21358, 30 May 1939, Page 5

SALMON KILL TROUT

Spoiling Fishing In Opihi

Investigation to Be Made

Salmon are spoiling trout fishing in the Opihi River and steps should be taken to prevent them running in that river, according to remarks made at the annual meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society last night. An instance was quoted of salmon tearing pieces out of fair sized trout and killing all the trout in a pool in which they were spawning and in which salmon were also spawning. As a result of the discussion the Council of the Society will request the curator to undertake an investigation into the position. The subject arose when Mr J. Leckie asked the chairman if steps were being taken by the Council to prevent salmon running in the Opihi River. Mr McDonald explained that some time ago a barrier had been constructed, but it had not proved altogether successful. With the Opihi in the condition it was during last season it was scarcely necessary to take any steps in that direction.

Salmon Ousting Trout

The farmers might as well have all the water in the Opihi as the salmo>. were ousting the trout, said Mr Leckie. The only fishable portion of the river last season was spoilt by the presence of salmon.

A similar complaint had been made in regard to the Rangitata River a year or two ago, but there had never been better fishing in the Rangitata than in the last season, said Mr McDonald. He considered it was an overstatement to say that salmon were ousting trout. There had been requests by fishermen to open the river as they wished to fish for salmcn. Trout Attacked by Salmon Trout making a spawning bed had been chased by salmon in a pool at Roaring Camp, said Mr J. Monday. Fine big trout had been manoeuvred into a corner by the salmon which had slashed pieces out of the trout and killed every one in the pool. The salmon did not swallow the flesh of the trout, but tore it off in pieces. The water was so clear that he could see everything that was happening, and later on had seen the bones of the trout at the lower end of the pool. Salmon were exterminating the trout by taking their food, it was stated, and Mr Leckie mentioned that it was not possible to compare conditions In the Rangitata and the Opihi rivers. Mr McDonald said the ranger would investigate the position and asked those who had cited cases of trout being attacked by salmon to assist him.