LIVE BAIT.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18723, 25 August 1932, Page 14

LIVE BAIT.

USE IN TROUT FISHING. WIDE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. Canterbury anglers who were Interviewed did not generally support the contention of Dr. T. W. J. Johnson, a member of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, who said that the use of live bait in trout fishing is a most disgusting practice. The question appears to be the subject of controversy wherever anglers angle, says the Christchurch Sun, for whereas two men said flatly that the use of live bait w f as “plain murder,” another claimed that in some waters it would not be possible to take fish without the use of live bait, and another said that although he would not use live bait he did not objeot to others doing It. It was made dear that there is a large body of anglers in Canterbury who favour the use of live bait. One man said that live bait was used by such a large majority of anglers in this district as a fair and sporting method of taking fish that any attempt to interfere with this method of angling would be opposed with energy and determination. There were only two rivers near Wellington where live bait was permitted, but no restrictions were imposed In the North Canter bury Acclimatisation Society’s district. Not Exaotly Sporting. “Because It is my own personal view that it Is'not exactly sporting, I don’t say that everyone else should be of the same opinion," said one man. “It is something the same as live-bird trap shooting. Personally I don’t think it is sporting, but I know some very fine sportsmen who are very keen on it. A certain number of people who enjoy fishing have not the time nor the physical ability to Ash 'with the fly. Personally I don’t think there isvso much sport In live bait fishing, but I would not condemn it out of hand." “Plain murder," echoed another. “I would stop it altogether. There’s no sport in that w>ay of fishing.” Another said that some people w r ere too lazy to learn the habits of fish and how to fish properly. That was why they used live bait. It w r as not sportsmanlike,'but at the same time it was possible to fish In an unsportsmanlike manner with artificial lures. It took years to learn how to angle properly and many men w r ould not take the trouble. “Isn’t It a matter of local conditions?" asked one. “Maybe conditions are different in Auckland from what they are here. You could not fish some waters without live bait, but •In others many people consider the use of it most unsporting."