Abundance Of Whitebait

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1949, Page 3

Abundance Of Whitebait

Whitebait by the kerosene tin full is now, looked ' upon as. some- , thing of a memory of better years by those who have fished .for many seasons in the Manawata River. Recent flood prevention developments and cu'is in the river have been blamed for the poor seasons, but yesterday all theories had to go hy the board because the whitebait was ranning on a par with the best years. As soon as word spread that the fish were on the run, work ceased and there was a rush for nets. Those working near the river who did not have nets with them hurried home to procure them and as they returned to the banks they were amazed to see the early arrivals verily sweeping the bait from the river. The fish were certainly on the run and catches of from 10 to 20 lbs were common. The record for the day was seCured by a woman fishing at Paiaka. She caught more than. two kerosene tins full or between 70 and 80 pounds. It is unders'tood that the fish were selling at 5s per pound on the river bank. The reason for these outstanding catches is that there was a slight fresh in the river and the stronger current in the centre forced the fish to make • their way upstream nearer the banks. Buckley, Moutoa and Paiaka all shared in the hig catches. "