WAIRARAPA TROUT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 211, 1 June 1920, Page 6

WAIRARAPA TROUT

0 NETTING OF THE LAKE PROPOSAL BEFORE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY A proposal that netting should be pormiitud on Wftirnrnpn Lake was placed before the AVollington Acclimatisation Society Inst night by Mr. Whatman..The lake, ho said, contained a very mrgo mmntity of fish, and it was not being used for sporting purposes or for any Mher purpose. He had known the lake for forty years and the fish had always been plentiful. Very litfclo fishing was done, and it seemed a pity that so vmch Rood food should be wasting. Much of the- lake could not be netted owing to snags, but he thought that an attempt should bo made to establish a small ij'dustry which would provide ' employment for some returned soldiers. The chief fishery officer, Mr. Ayson, approved of the project. A net with a very large mesh would be used, so that only big fish could be taken. This would improve tho fishing; and there would be no possibility of cleaning out tho late. Very little legitimate foiling was done in tho Wairarapa, rivers, but poaching was very prevalent indeed. , Fish , were shot, dvnamited, tickled, speared and netted, but they were not caught with the rod. "It is very difficult to induce tl e young colonial to take up legitimate sport," said Mr. Whatman. "He won't waste his time." Mr. Arson was sure that the ratting of big fish in Wairarapa Lako would rot harm the fishing in the rivers in any case. Big eels were becoming' very plentiful in. tho Wairarapa rivers. Che Ashing scheme, added Mr. Whatman, would cqyer trout, eols, flounders, <ind whitebait. If successful, it would provide a sutppiy of fish for the Wairarapa district. In answer to questions. Mr. Whatman said tho lake had an area of about 8(1,000 acres. The netting would not interfere with the mouths of the Bireiiins. Soirio illicit netting was proceeding already. A member remarked that tlio lako contained many trout, but for every tiout there were "from two thousand to two million eels."

Tho chairman (Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp) said the matter had been referred to a committee by the council. His own idea was that the scheme, with proper safeguards, was worth trying. The fishery officer, Mr. Ayson, approved of the idea. The proposal would be carefully considered by the council.-