Field and Stream.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 3, 28 September 1907, Page 10

Field and Stream.

(By Dky Fly.)

Tbo majority of anglers are in rendinoss for tho coming fishing' season, which commences on October 1.- There should bo good sport, as tbo winter Mis year was very mikl, and not accompanied by heavy Hoods, which are so destructive to trout life. With a view to. further improving our local bailing, some large rainbow, trout were liberated in tho Uutt River. In tho past all efforts to introduce them have neisn unsuccessful, and, should this latest oxporiment fail, more attention to thoroughly stocking the Hutt River with sea-run yearlings would, I am Buro, bo profitable. The difficulty in a few years, at the rate that anglers aro increasing, will bo to find rivers for them to fish in, and tho Hutt, if well stocked, would accommodate an unlimited number of rods. . The liberation of 800 brown trout yearlings, from the Upper Hutt rearing ponds, into tho .Akatarawa will improve that stream. The introduction of new blood, to mingle with the present game fish in that nvuch-angled tributary of the Hutt should act as a magnet to many anglers this season. On different occasions during the last few years several attempts, have been made to stock the Tnkaran stream with fry without favourable results. During June 500 yearling brown trout wcro turned in, arid as great care was taken in their liberation tho experiment should be successful. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society in the past have been thoroughly successful in replenishing our much-fished streams, and the latest efforts will be duly appreciated by local and visiting anglers. - Tho anglers of Danuovirko are looking forward to noxt Tuesday "with big hopes, as fish aro reported to be very numerous in the Manawatu River.tlnV season. The hatchery, situated o; Captain G. D. Hamilton's ground, had ■ very successful season this year. 1 II produced 33,000 fry from ' sea-rur trout ova received from the South. Island. The fry wore distributed ii: the Manawatu River and some of the small streams running into it. When the Manawatu was originally/stocked in 1870, tho ova received was collected from large Thames trout. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society during June and July; ' forwarded 3750 yearling rainbow trout to various sub-committees for liberation in their districts. They wore dis tributed as follow:—Marton 670, Palriatua, Ekctahuna, Palmerston North, and Huntcrvillo 500 each; Greatfore! 330; .Ohau 250. The last yearlings for this season were despatched during ■Vigust and numbered 2300, making a .total of 6050 yearling 'rainbows liberated in different' streams anc' rivers'. In addition to the above there were 100 two-year-old rainbows put in tho Hutt.River. A total of 1300 yearling sea-run brown .'trout were distributed, SCO going to tho Takarau and the balance to the Akatarawa. Somr largo rainbows. •in all . 497, wore liberated in tributaries'of tho- Waingawa and Wsipoua rivers during Juno.t Ova totalling 815,000 wcro received by the Wellington Society from tlir South Island this season. They were collected from the largo sea-run trout that frequent the Southern- rivers. A consignment of 60,000 rainbow ova from Rotorua was obtained from the Tourist Department. Both lots worr •■roll fertilised, and x hatching-out operations were entirely successful. After providing for all orders received from kindred societies, the local ■ society will have- 650,000 trout fry ivailablo for this , district. 'Of. this number 50,000 aro to bo hold for yearlings, and will then bo turned out in various streams decided upon by tho allocation committee. Instances of Now Zealand wild ducks having young as early. as Jult :aro ; seldpm-:hcard of. An authentic caso is reported from Waikanac. where, during July, a sportsman shot a grey duck, and immediately afterwards discovered and cantured ,a brood of. twelve young. His efforts to roar thorn, however, wore not attended with much success.' Considerable agitation for aii earlier opening of the shooting season has taken place at various times. Those who'wish to include, the Easter, holidays would strengthen their appeals by "attaehinrr to-.their petitions records of early breeding.similar to the above caso. ' During last season our local society purchased a dozen eel baskets to cope with the eel trouble. The experiment .tbs very successful. .Another consignment is to hand for free distribution among settlers who reside on tho banks of streams.