UNSPORTSMANLIKE METHODS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1929, Page 6

UNSPORTSMANLIKE METHODS

COMPLAINT BY VISITING

ANGLERS

WELLINGTON, June 13

According to Air L. Smith, who had charge of a camp on the Tongariro Hirer, anglers visiting Now Zealand from a broad are dissatisfied with some of the methods adopted “by many .Dominion anglers in taking fish and their alleged failure to observe the unwritten laws of fishing as observed in other countries.

One objection is to Hogging pools early in the morning, making the fish line-shy for the remainder of the day. Mr Smith suggests legislation making, it unlawful to fish bclorc i a.in. Another objectionable practice was fishing upstream, the orthodox procedure being to fish downstream. Annoyance was also caused bv the monopolisation ol fruitful pools. Ceitain persons were inclined to establish themselves at a pool and remain there for sport. This was unfair to the man who worked the river yard by yard, irrespective of pools or likely hunting grounds. ''When licenses are issued, said Air Smith, "it should be specified on the back of them that anglers are to work downstream and make way for those behind: A ranger cannot ask anglers to move on or take exception to their monopolising one pool, because lie has not legislative authority to do so.”

The practice of worming was also referred to by Air Smith, this being fishing from a. boat and easting out long Tines after the style of seawater fishing.' It was very hard to detect worming, as a ranger had such . a large area to cover, and those practising worming were often warueu of his coming and were able to revert to tne fly. if these practices were allowed to continue they were going to adversely affect the oversea tourist who came to New Zealand tor fishing. I hoj came to get sport and to meet sportsmen. The opening and closing of the season a month later than at present was also advocated by Air Smith. He said that this would give spent fish just coming down the river irom spawning an opportunity to regain their condition. “At the beginning of November fish' are not fit to pull from the water or fit for eating,” lie said. "They have no fight, or kick and to catch them is not sport; it is just like pulling a dead dues out of the stieam. Reference to the poor condition of trout in ( Lake Taupo was made by Air Smith. He said that the trout were in such quantities that there was in.sufficient, food to give them a "fail go.” and lie considered that the time bad come when tile water should be stocked with some form of artificial .['cod. such as freshwater shrimps.