LAKE ARAPUNI FISHING.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 257, 11 October 1928, Page 5

LAKE ARAPUNI FISHING.

THE TROLLING QUESTION. • Matamata Anglers’ Views. Three Months’ Trial. What should be done in regard to the method of fishing in Lake Araipuni ? Should the disciples of Isaac Walton use fly, worm, grub, dynamite or harpoon? This was the burning question discussed by the ■angler members of the Matamata branch of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society at a special meeting convened for that purpose on Friday might, the' president, Mr. W. W. Livdngstone, being in the chair.

The following resolution was received from the Putaruru branch:— Moved by Mr. T. F. Snell, and seconded by Mr. F. Snell, that the Matamata representatives co-operate "with Putaruru delegates at the meeting of the society on the 11th of October to endeavour to obtain the withdrawal of the objectionable regulation with regard to trolling; or, if that be not possible, that trolling from a row boat be allowed.” The president explained that the Putaruru fishermen were rather bitfer over the prohibition by the parent hody of trolling. The matter was being re-opened at the request of the Putaruru club, whose members considered that no method other than trolling could be successful, owing to the conditions prevailing in the lake. The president said he had attended a meeting on the subject at Putaruru, whereat Mr. F. C. Barnett, one of the eldest residents and fishermen, there, had asserted positively that the fish would not rise to the fly.

A Matamata member considered "that a big fly or a worm, let down in a whirl to the bottom, would catch ■trout every time. Mr. Livingstone said he had been told that some were successful by throwing a sinkered line fifty or

■sixty yards out, and then slowly winding in, but all fishermen could not manage that manoeuvre. However, the majority opinion at Putaruru was very definite. If the branch supported Auckland that would be the end of trolling from a row boat. The Auckland people wanted’to conserve the fish. Many of the reports of big catches last season were merely propaganda, it appeared, when they were sifted out. Mr. D. N. Hay said Mr. Barnett considered that a food supply existed in the- river, and that an additional supply was brought in when the lake •was formed; but that this latter supply would perish, therefore limiting she fish food. t The president said he had an open mind on the question : all he wanted ■was fairness. All that was likely now was to get permission to troll from row boats. Mr. N. Pryce moved that the branch abide by its previous resolution, supporting the Auckland body in the prohibition of trolling. Mr. F. Gibson seconded. Mr. Hay suggested that a modification be made that trolling be limited to the fly. The president: It is a pity we cannot compromise on the matter, instead of going dead against Putaruru.

I Mr. Pryce: When trolling is allowed there will be no fly-fishing, and flyfishing is the sport. What about allowing trolling for a certain time? The president: There is some sense in that suggestion; it might help us nut. The president moved that the parent body be asked to permit trolling from row boats only for three months on Lake Arapuni, in order to gain experience of trolling in that water. Mr. T. E. McMillan agreed with the president that the brafieh should meet Putaruru if possible. It must be allowed that the local people were, | to some extent at any rate, better ' iqualified to give an authoritative ■Opinion, whether the question was fishing or any other. This was a principle whi ch should always be taken into 'Consideration. The first motion was not gone on -with, and the president’s was ulti- , xnately carried by seven votes to five. Putaruru Motion. Following the reading of a letter from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society which stated the question of trolling on Lake Arapuni would be re-opened at a meeting to be held early in October, there was an animated discussion at the annual meeting of the Putaruru branch, when it was made clear there was a strong feeling that trolling from powerboats should be allowed. Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald stated that he first started to support his view on trolling as a free lance, and later he ▼ .secured the support of the branch

committee. It appeared to him after gauging the feeling of the Auckland members that a compromise would be necessary, and that was why he simply asked for trolling from a row boat. The trouble was that poweri boats had made themselves a nuisI ance, breaking all the recognised ! rules of fishing by running their | boats close to fly fishermen. It was impossible to row and troll out of the lower end of the lake owing to the distance, and he defied any expert, whether from the Old Country or not, to catch fish other than with the troll in this area. Auckland now knew the Putaruru view well, and he did not think they could do any more to further their cause by attending the meeting called to reconsider the question.

Mr. S. C. Snell thought that the law did not prevent shooting from a power boat on running water so that he did not think it could be stopped at the top of the lake. Mr. Fitzgerald: It’s a question of where the river ends and the lake begins. Is there a limit to the fish you can take? Mr. Snell: Yes; 15 for the day. Linking With Matamata. Mr. Flyger urged, that the branch work in the closest co-operation with Matamata. Both understood each other’s problems, and if joint meet-

ings wer'e held they could always put a strong united case. Mr. Fitzgerald stated he had this in mind when he stated that he thought it would be better not to attend the next meeting in Auckland. Matamata would fight' the Putaruru case, while Waipa would ask for the whole loaf, and between the two he thought a reasonable compromise should be effected. He suggested the meeting should give a lead in regard to the use of power boats. Mr. Flyger thought supporting power boats would damage their ease.

Mr. S. C. Snell thought the power boats might be all right if handled properly.

Mr. T. F. Snell pointed out that if power boats went too fast they caught nothing. Mr. W. G. Barnett had felt slighted after all he had done for the society to be barred from trolling, which if done in a sportsmanlike way interfered with nobody. Motion for Trolling. Mr. Fitzgerald then moved that the chairman reply to the letter from Auckland to the effect that this branch objects to the restriction against _ trolling on Lake Arapuni, particularly from row boats, and urges the society to have the regulation amended before Chirstmas. Mr. Proctor seconded the motion. Mr. Macown held that trolling from power boats was not detrimental to anyone, and if they went for the whole loaf they might at least get half. He did not think they should give way. Mr. Flyger: I understand Te Awamutu are going for it lock, stock and barrell. The motion was then unanimously agreed to.