TROLLING AT ARAPUNI.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 255, 27 September 1928, Page 1

TROLLING AT ARAPUNI.

ETHICS OF FISHING. Pointed Discussion. At Auckland Meeting. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. F. C. Flyger (president), M. E. Fitzgerald and G. G. Griffiths, of the Putaruru branch of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, attended a special meeting of the fishing Subcommittee of the society on Thursday in Auckland, in connection with the question of trolling on Arapuni Lake. At the outset the chairman, Mr. F. E. McKenzie, called on Dr. Johnston to give a resume of the council’s views which actuated members when i it was decided to prohibit all trolling from boats.

Auckland View. In a few words, Dr. Johnston stated that the lower end of the lake and the spillway should be kept fo> fly-fishing, and the remainder of the lake for fly-fishing and spinning. In effect, they wanted to open up the lake to the ordinary accepted methods of fishing in an endeavour to obviate the conditions which obtained at Rotorua and Taupo. Fishing on the lake was at its inception, and though they had different reports, they had no evidence that fish could not be caught by the fly in certain areas. If there was an abundance of fish then they should be able to catch them in a truly sporting manner. However, they hoped to get some evidence to-night from men who had fished in the district before and after the lake was formed.

Mr. F. C. Flyger stated that he thought the council, before passing the regulation, should have sought the evidence. If members drew a little nearer they would be understood. Most members of the Putaruru branch were workers, and it was unfair to penalise them. Putaruru Case. Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald apologised for the absence of Mr. W. G. Barnett. Before the lake was formed there was good fishing in the Waikato. Parts were suitable for casting the fly and spoon, and others for trolling. Trolling, if done by a light rod, was quite sporting, like sword-fishing. Before the regulation was passed residents in the Putaruru district had good fishing, but now they had none. The bottom end of the lake was 150 feet deep and for many miles there was no current. Manuka 20 to 30 feet high had been submerged, and this militated against fly-fishing, which was only suitable for parts of the lake, such as by the spillway and at its head. The lake was teeming with fish, and he had caught 200 trout last season in the lower end, at an average of 3 to 10 a day. Amongst the ti-tree, on the lake edge, millions of young trout could be seen rising to gnats. He had never seen a fish on the lake rise to the fly, and the lake was “ stiff with fish.” They had not come in a hostile spirit, jut to discuss matters in an amicable

manner, and to this end he suggested a compromise whereby the regulation stand, but permission be given for trolling from rowboats as distinct from launches. He preferred rowing for the exercise, and he suggested they further limit matters if they thought fit by allowing only the roper trolling rod to a boat. If they were going to split hairs in regard to forms of fishing, he said there was no real fly-fishing, such as obtained on the chalk streams of England, in the Dominion.

Compromise Appeals. Mr. McKenzie: I am not a fisherman, but a shootist, but as a nonfisherman I think Mr. Fitzgerald has put the position very well, and his suggestion of a compromise appeals to me. The council has battled for such a long time with the Government to secure control of the lake that we had to act quickly, and so we had no time to consult branches as we would like to have done.

Dr. Johnston stated he wanted to be sure it was not possible to catch fish by spinning instead of trolling. There was an art in spinning, and it also kept the “ bags ” down. There was also no chance of fouling. He would favour the compromise if he could be convinced tliey could not catch fish in any other way. Mr. Withers thought the council had an ethical duty to raise the standard of fishing, although he did not wish to labour the point.

/ Mr. Fitzgerald: Educate the Government ? Mr. Withers: Well, they could do with a bit. (Laughter). Te Awamutu Ideals. Mr. Holmes (Te Awamutu) thought fishing by any means should be allowed, as there were plenty of fish for all. Mr. Woodward had told him there were young fish in millions in amongst the ti-tree. Trolling was the workers’ sport, who, after a hard week’s work, did not desire the exercise of rowing. Te Awamutu was unanimous on the point. They had their “ backs up.” Their members had had their sport for years, and they felt they had been deprived of it by Auckland. He thought the restrictions had been brought about by reports of tremendous bags. As a ranger, he doubted whether they had even been caught. The biggest catch they knew of had been caught by weighting a fly with lead and holding the line by the hand. Mr. McKenzie: What do you think . of the future of the lake ?

Mr. Flyger: It’s going to beat Taupo.

Mr. Withers pointed out.the society had only to make one mistake and the Government would want to resume control of the lake. There had been no intention of slighting Te Awamutu or Putaruru, and matters had to be rushed at the time. It appeared as if local sportsmen had trolled for generations, but he felt that once they started with the fly and spinner they' would be rapidly converted.

Inspector Wohlman doubted if the regulation could be altered in time. He thought the matter should be left this season, and altered next, if necessary. The society had liberated 450,000 fry in the lake and it was out to do its best.

Pointed Remarks. Mr. Savage stated the department was not favourable to trolling. 'After all- the dubs were to blame for* not informing their delegates. Three nights had been spent in considering the regulation, and if the clubs were not satisfied it was entirely their own fault. Mr. Fitzgerald replied that the country delegates came in no hostile spirit, but the last speaker must be replied to. The society held a meeting in Putaruru and the only local question was a trivial one. Later, without their knowledge they had forced a close season for shooting on Putar&ru, and now they wanted to take their fishing away. Mr. Whitney : I mentioned closing the district for shooting at the meeting, and it was thoroughly discussed. Mr. Fitzgerald: Pardon me, but the question discussed was Mr. Allan Peace’s offer of a sanctuary. What would be the use of a sanctuary if you were closing the district? A voice: Refer to the minutes and you will find closing the district was not discussed.

Over-lapping. Captain White: But Matamata county asked to be closed? Mr. Fitzgerald: No, Matamata town; surely you can distinguish between the two. It is just a coincidence both are of the same name. Matamata is a town about eight miles from the boundary, while Putaruru is right in the centre of the county. The secretary then read a telegram signed “ Livingstone,” asking for the county to be closed. Mr. Fitzgerald: That is the Matamata town branch and round about there. Most of them go to Waipa for their shooting. They have nothing to do with the Putaruru branch, and I think we should have been consulted. Mr. Kelly then made a strong plea for co-operation by local clubs. If they altered the regulation now he felt they would become a laughing stock.

The chairman then appealed for a closer adherence to the subject, and after a few other passages between members, it was agreed, on the motion of Dr. Johnston and Mr. Savage, that the matter be re-opened at the October meeting of the council. Chukor Partridges.

On the motion of Messrs. Whitney and Wholman, the committee sitting as the council, agreed to spend £75 on Chukor partridges at 7s 6d per head. It was suggested by the chairman, after the meeting, that 100 be liberated on the Putaruru hill and 100 on the Waitakafes as the birds favoured a cold climate and hilly country. It was decided to purchase two geese and a gander, and to ask the Putaruru secretary to farm them.