FISHING REPORTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 153, 20 February 1932, Page 6

FISHING REPORTS

SOME FINE CATCHES BOISTEROUS WINDY CONDITIONS GREATLY HANDICAP ANGLERS. LAKE ROTORUA'S LOW LEVEL, Fishing during the past fortnight was rendered difficult by the boisterous easterly wind which prevailed, report the district rangers - in their fortnightly statements to Mr. A. Kean, Conservator of Fish and Game. At times the wind reached gale force and it seriously interfered with fishing, espeeially in Taupo waters, with the exception of a few sheltered bays on the eastern side of the lake. In the Rotorua area, anglers were also handicapped by the rough conditions, besides being troubled by the shallower portions of the lake, which proved diificult to negotiate. The level of Lake Rotorua is exceedingly low this year, being several inches below the lowest level recorded last season. Those anglers, however, who braved the elements were rewarded with rather surprising results. Fine fish, in good numbers, were quite regular in the Awahou and Ngongotaha areas. Taupo, and more particularly its environs, were seriously threatened by a light bush and scrub fire recently, which unfortunately reached the banks of the Waikato River, where it destroyed all the vegetation along the banks from the Huka Falls to near the Spa Hotel. The blaze was eventually quelled by a hastily organised and efficient body of fire-fighters, but it is thought that the wholesale destruction of the insect life along the river here will cause a temporary set-back to fiy fishing in the locality. Lake Rotorua. The condition of the fish taken in Lake Rotorua was good and the .weight averaged from 2i to 221b. Excellent results were obtaihed by Commander Rhodes and Messrs. A. D. Campbell and W. Pollock, who fiy fished from the launch Symbol at the mouth of the Waiteti Stream. They commenced fishing in the morning and were favoured with only meagre results, but in the afternoon they were fortunate to be araong a splendid rise of trout and each of the anglers had to retire after taking his limit, the aggregate total being 45 fish for the launch. The mouth of the Awahou stream also gave good results, the best fishing being obtained at night. In this area Mr. Rebble bagged the limit, averaging 241b in weight, with the heaviest fish 41b. Fine sport was also had by Mr. Annan, 9 fish, Mr. Wilson, 8, and Mr. Carson. 1. The last named, although his number was small, made up for this deficiency by landing an eight-pounder. *The outlet of the Ngongotaha also proved popular. In these waters Mr. Barsford took eleven and Mr. M. McCauley nine. All were in excellent condition and were caught in rough water with a boisterous wind. A fine catch on the fiy and spoon was made by Messrs. Wells and Matheson, who took 15 in one afternoon near Kawaha Point, and Mr. Mclntosh and party, trolling, landed 13 for a day's outing. Many other anglers in the lake took good numbers of fish, mostly in fine condition, but the best results were perhaps obtained around the mouth of the Waiteti. Other Districts. River fishing in the Whakatane and Opotiki districts had been popular lately and had given some good results. The condition of the fish generally was excellent and one experienced angler frpm New Plymouth expressed his keen satisfaction with the results obtained. The best bags in this area were obtained by Mr. R. Carruthers (limit), Mr. W. Doolan (12 fish), Mr. C. A. Timbs (10), and Mr. A. Prince (10). The lures used were varied, equal success being obtained with the minnow, fiy, inanga and spoon. The Waikato River below the Huka Falls was not fished a great deal and the only two catches reported were by Mr. Fulljames, who took twelve trout averaging 31b on one day, and nine, averaging the same weight on another day. At Atiamuri, one angler landed nine fish averaging 341b. Waikaremoana Results. The end of January saw practically the last of the campers in the Waikaremoana district, and accordingly there was a decided decrease in the angling activities. Heavy rain set in here on February 6 and continued until a few days ago. Fish are reported to be in a slightly better condition than earlier in the season, and their average weight has also increased. Trout at Taupo. In the Lake Taupo waters, fish of good weight and condition had been taken and anglers, with only a few exceptions, had expressed great satisfaction regarding the results of their fishing excursions. The launches have had a quiet time, but some excellent , catches have been made, principally by harling. A few fish had been taken daily from the Tongariro River; the condition of these being greatly improved. ■One 101b trout was caught from Jones' Pool, three nine-pounders from the river, and several other catches of four and five-pounders. There are a lot of fish vvaiting at the mouth of the river and the first rains will bring about a marked improvement upstream. All the river outlets are fishing well. The delta of the Tongariro is giving some fine sport, although not many : boats had been out, and all the bays • in this area were giving good bags. Fishing was only far at Motutere and Jellicoe Points, but the best were taken in the late evenings. Hatepe was also patehy, the fishing being poor until after dusk. One limit catch was taken by a Taupo angler at the Waitahanui Outlet, which was fishing well, and other bags varied from four to 12 fish, all in good condition. 'Trolling from launches had not been much in indulged in owing to the strong wind and rough water, but some of the catches numbered between eight and 50 fish. The smaller bags were principally half-day outings or picnic parties. The condition of the trout, taking them all round, was good, the average weight being about " ' 51b. Up to the present time, the record - ^^troui^^h^^easo^vrascaughtby

Mr. Rickit, at the outlet. It weighed 151b, and was 28 inches in length. Other good fish had also been taken here and bags of up to 12 in number v rere fairly common. The best party total for the lake, r taken in one day, was 50 fish caught by Messrs. Newdick, Worral and two other rods, in the launch Sunbeam. These fish were taken on the fiy at Mine Point. The same party took 40 fish in another excursion of a. day and a half at Wangamata in boisterous wieather. The 90 fish averaged 71b in weight. Excellent results had been obtained at the outlet by most anglers and two early morning enthusiasts for fours hours' fishing, Messrs. T. Rickit and P. Grey, landed 12 fish and 8 fish respectively. Several good fish were taken by anglers in the Tokaanu area during the past fortnight. The majority of the fiy fishing was being done about the mouth of the Tongariro River, v here excellent results were being obtained, but there was no lack of sport with the spoon along the bays, where some good-conditioned and weight trout were being bagged. •