LAKE TAUPO TROUT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1416, 17 April 1912, Page 6

LAKE TAUPO TROUT.

FALLING-OFF IN WEIGHT AND QUALITY. • (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondents Auckland, April IC. Tlio statement that tho trout in Lako Taupo havo gone back in condition iu recent years was made by Mr. J. Turner, of New Forest, England, a well-known angler, to a "Herald" reporter last evening. Mr. Turner said that ho had been at Lako Taupo since tho beginning of January, and for tho greater part ot the time found tho sport poor by comparison with previous seasons. "There has undoubtedly been a great falliiiß-oif in the weight and quality of tho fish," continued Mr. Turner. lu, former years they averaged 101b. in weight. This year the average was not more than 81b. ■ It was quite a rarity to get n perfect-conditioned fish. In my opinion, the lako is going tho same way as Lako Eotorua, and from tho same cause." What is the cause? "In all probability it is a worm, the living history of which is being into by a scientist in tho employ of the Government at tho present time., Mr. Turner proceeded to explain that tho scientist's theory was that tho con morants were tho hosts of this destroyujs worm. These birds had been recently killed off at Lake Rotorua, and as a roi suit a considerable improvement m the quality of tho fish had been obsorved. This might solve the Lako Taupo problem but he was doubtful whether the trout would get back to their former weight. Of course, tho sport was still wonderful, but it was nothing to whatj it had been. Ho had opened many o! the trout and found that the worm was present in the flesh. For that reason tljd party had stopped using tho fish for purposes. ■