DISTRICT FISHING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 December 1931, Page 7

DISTRICT FISHING

. recent catches WEATHER CONDITIONS AFFECT BOTH ROTORUA AND TAUPO AREAS 13LB. FISH AT TONGARIRO r The fortnightly report of the Conservator of Fish and Game for the Rotorua district, Mr. A. Kean, states that rough weather has interfered with fishing during the past week The moderate north-east gale which had been blowing and rain over the week-end, had undouBtedly affected the oatches, Reports received from the Department's officer in the Bay of Plenty area stated that catches ranging between two and eight trout had been taken in different streams, mostly during morning and evening fishing. The largest catch reported was one of 14 averaging 2|lbs., the largest fish w-eighing 4lbs. This lot was taken by Mr. J. Bennott for a day's fishing with fly and rpoon in the Tarawera River. Bay of Plenty Area Mr. J. Kearns had secured 10 irf the Waioeka on the spoon. The catch had been very even in size, averaging 21bs., the best fish being 2|lbs. Mr. T. Edwardson also secured 10 in the same stream, all taken on the eyed spoon. These fish, averaged 2|lbs., the largest weifhing 2|lbs. Fishing at Waimana, Mr. W. Scott had taken six on the fly, the best fish being a nice five-pounder. In the same stream, Mr. W. Rickerby took eight young fish averaging lllbs. Both of these catches were taken on the inanga. Lake Rotorua Owing to the strong wind, the only fishable water in Rotorua had been between the Ohau Ghannel and Hamurana. Some very good catches had been made here, however, by Mr. Suttie fishing from the "Symbol." , Mr. Suttie's average catch per day during the past fortnight had been eight with several limit bags. The average weight of these catches was 21bs. lOozs. One party of two rods took 14 on the fly during five hours fishing in the same locality, while wading near the rocks. This catch averaged 2|lhs., the best fish being 4ilbs. Eleven of these fish were in very fine condition. Trolling parties had done well on Rotorua, one party fishing from the launch "Shamrock" securing 20. Later in the week another party in the same launch, secured 24. Mr. Hill and party, also in the Shamrock, took 16 during a day's trolling. Mr. Clark had now reached a total of 115 trolling from the "Mararoa." The fish taken by these parties were reported to be in fine condition and consisted of young fish averaging about 2£lbs. Waikato River The Waikato below the Huka falls had been providing good fishing. Mr. Fulljames had secured 14 good eonditioned fish near Rotokawa luring two evening's fly fishing, the catch averaging 31bs. and the largest fish weighing 51bs. Mr. Len Fisiier had taken 14 from the fly pool below the Aratiatia rapids. Fishing in the Waikato near Wai- ! rakei, Mr. and Mrs. Bulloek-Webster, of California, had secured 13 fish, including one of 6£lbs. All these fish were in good condition and averaged 41bs. Mr. McFarlane and party had taken 17 from the same water while trolling. The average of the catch was 3 Ubs, and the largest fish weighed 51bs. Mr.°McCauley had taken 230 trout j in Rotorua since the opening of the | season. These fish had all been ! caught on the fly and averaged 2|lbs. Taupo Catches i Unfavourable fishing weather had | also affected the catche^ taken at j Taupo, the report states. j In the launch, "Wizbang," Messrs. I Znox and Birch and another rod had taken 40 fish for one day's fishing at Whakaipo and Taupo Bay. The average weight of the fish was 51bs. and the heaviest weighed 7|lbs. Colonel Campbell and party, in the same bays and using the fly and spoon, had [ caught 35 fish averaging 51bs. from the launch "Sunbeam." The heaviest fish of this catch weighed 7£lbs. Mr. McFarlane and party, in the launch "Lapwing" had taken 19 fish on the fly and spoon at Nangamatu, the average weight being 511bs and j the heaviest fish weighing 81bs. Using the spoon, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence took 18 fish averaging 4glbs. from the launch "Sunbeam" at Whakaipo Bay. In the "Tamiti," Colonel Shaw and Mr. Sidebottom had limit catches on the spoon at Mine Point in the bays. The Rev. and Mrs. Oxbrow, had taken 18 averaging 51bs. at Waitahanui. Bay.

From a row-boat, Mr. J. Tautaka, had taken a limit bag on the fiy for a few hours fishing only, and row boats operating every evening in Taupo Bay had obtained fish in good condition.*" Dry fly fishing had been quiet during the fortnight, there heing only a few anglers in the district. Tongariro Area The report states that there has been practically no fishing in the Tongariro River. There appeared to be a large number of fish in the river, but they were not taking at all well. Many fish could be seen rising but apparently were feeding on the green beetle and other small fly which had hatched very early this season. Messrs. Stanier and Barlow had fished the river but so far their catches had been very small. At present the rivers were all in heavy flood and had been so for some days. Trolling Successful Despite these river conditions, trolling parties were getting really good catches. One local angler had taken seven very nice fish of which the heaviest weighed 131bs. This fish was taken at Pukawa, one of the most favoured fishing grounds in the district. Several other parties had also returned with limit bags for fonr to five hours trolling. * Three. in one party secured their limits within fqur hours. Ineluded in this catch was a nine pounder, the average being 5 llbs. A particularly large number of trolling parties had been' out in this area and all had made good catches; the river fishing, on the other hand was attracting very few rods. All trolling parties reported a rapid movemenf in . the condition of the fish.