FISHING AT TAUPO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 425, 17 November 1930, Page 11

FISHING AT TAUPO

A GREAT “COMEBACK”

IMPROVED CONDITION “The rainbow trout at Taupo, both in the lake and in the Tongariro River, have made a great ‘come-back’ this season,” stated Mr Frank Dyer, when interviewed by a Wellington Evening Post reporter as to his impressions on the opening of the season. Mr Dyer, who has just returned to Wellington, was in Taupo for November 1, and he says that the number of fish caught, and their condition, were better than he has known for many years. Many trawling parties in launches on the lake got limit bags (fifteen fish per rod per day) and the fly fishermen generally did well also.

The improved condition of the fish is attributed very largely, according to the local anglers, to the absence of floods during the winter and the increased quantity of feed in the rivers and lake. Excellent Bags The world-famous Tongariro River, where Mr Dyer did the most of his fishing yielded some excellent bags of high quality fish, and it was an exception to get any really “slabby” fish, as has been x he rule for several seasons past, though, of course, some of them had hardly recovered from spawning.

Quite a number of ten and twelve pound fish were reported to have been caught on the opening days of the season. As showing that the fish have done well since last season, large numbers of pound and pound and a-half fish were to be seen rising in the favourite pools in the Tongariro; in fact those fish were rather a nuisance to the angler who was after larger game. “I consider Taupo, with its fishing and other attractions, a great asset to New Zealand,” stated M Dyer, “and the Government should continue to do everything possible to keep up the standard of the fish by systematically increasing the food supply in the rivers and lake.” It has been a somewhat late season at Taupo for the blossom on the kowhai trees and broom, but in a week or so the district will be a blaze of yellow’. Generally speaking, the roads are in good condition, the graders doing excellent work on the pumice country, and many dangerous corners are being rounded off on the hill roads. Mr Dyer returned via the Waiouru Desert Road, and this, although impossible without chains in wet weather, is quite passable when dry. Feather and Fur Game Feather and fur game seem to bo doing well in the district. Large numbers of quail, grey duck, hares, and rabbits were seen on the drive between Taupo and Tokaanu, but unfortunately those pests of the sportsman, stoats and weasels, were observed also.

Anglers visiting the Tongariro will be pleased to hear that an exceedingly comfortable fishing lodge has been established close to the bridge where comfortable accommodation can be, obtained, and as this is in the vicinity of the most favourite water, no doubt it will be largely availed of during the season by fishermen. A post-office and store has been established, the name of tho post-office being Turangi. “At Turangi I was pleased to meet the new Government ranger, Mr MacNamara,” stated Mr Dyer, “and I consider him to be the right man in the right place. He is taking a keen interest in the welfare of the fish and fishing generally, and is apparently a lover of Nature in the best sense.”