AS OTHERS SEE US

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 701, 29 November 1933, Page 7

AS OTHERS SEE US

ROTORUA FISHING WELLINGTON ANGLER'S YIEW ON OPENING OF SEASON. OKATAINA'S PROSPECTS. The opening of the trout season at • the Tongariro River on November 1 was on the whole a good one, stated Mir. Frank Dyer to an Evening Post * reporter. He had just reiturned from a trip of a few weelcs to Taupo and Rotorua. Th'ere were plenty of iisih in the Tongariro, but as was only to be expected for sio early in the season a proportion of the fish were somewhait out of condi/bion owimg to itheir hot having recovered from spawning, and most fishermen returned these fish to the water alive. ■Quite a number of anglers arrived for the opening, and the opportunity was taken of holding a meeting of the Tongariro and Upper Waikato Angling Club. This was largely attended, and various matters in connection with the sport were discussed. The silver cups presented by Mr. C. A. Whitney for the best fish taken last season were presented by the president, Mr. Hanlo-n. Waioluru-Tokaanu Road. •One of the matters discussed at the meeting was the desirabi'lity of urging the Government to do something to. improve the condition of the ro'ad from Waiouru to Tokaanu, generally referred to as "The Desert Road." It was pointed out that for quite a smiall expenditure this road could he made passable in all weather®, and that it shortens the journey from Wellington to the south end of Lake Taupo by 42 biles. Furthermore, if tracks were cut from the road to the upper reaoh'es of tihe Upper Waikato, a further area of fishing water would he opened up which would relieve the congestion of , anglers that occurs on the Tongariro River at times. 'Some fish in good condition were taken in the lake, Point Motutiri proving one of the best placts fished by Mr. Dyer and his party. At this favourate camping ground, Mr. Dyer, stated, the growth of gorse, broom, and briar was becoming a serious menace, and it was increasingly difficult to fish at some of the favourite spots. Fior quite a« small expenditure Motutiri and other camping spots, such as Jellicoe Point, etc., could he •cleaned up and made more comfort- j ahle for campers and anglers. The i tracks were so overgrown that motor- I cars got badly scratched g-etting in- j to these places. The road from the j Tongariro River to Taupo (36 miles) j was in tip-top condition, and the two j graders at the Puhlic Works camp j •at Motutiri had done magnificent work. In all his experience of Taupo J roads, he said, he had never seen them | better. Net v. Gaff. "Some anglers seem to think that | the fish in the lake are noit so plen- | tiful as they were some years ago," | s,add Mr. Dyer, "but nevertheless the ! trolling par.ties in the launches rs- j ported big catches." With regard to j the methiod of lifting from the water | the fish caught with spoon from the j launches, Mr. Dyer said that if in- i stead of these fish being gaffed, as > at present, they were lifted hy landing net, the out-of-condition fish j could be returned alive to the water. In the present case, when they were j secured with the gaff, of course they were killed and wasted. Mr. Dyer went on from Taupo to Rotorua for a few days, and he described this rioad as like a billiard ! table. The graders on this section, J of which there were several working, { were doing fine work. A Well-Filled Lake. | At Rotoiti and Okataina he found the fish in wonderful condition for so early in the season. They were feeding on green bettle, which had just come on to the Water, and alsio on inanga, which' apeared to he very plentiful in the lakes and rivers this season. The lovely lake, Okataina, was destined to become a great fishing resort in time to come. It w.as well stocked, and the fish were of excellent quality. The day hefore his arrival a hasket of 14 fish of an average weight 'of 6 to 6|lh was secured, j and Mr. Dyer aceounted for some good fish on the day he spent there. ;"Tbe drive from Rotoiti to Oka- ' taina, which is mostly through magnificent bush, is one to be remembered," said Mr. Dyer. "It was a perfect summer day, and the abundance of bird life was most marked. Amongst the species observed were tuis, bell birds, pigeons, kingfishers, fantails, I riflemen wren, robins, and several I shining cuclcoos, while black-backed I gulls sailed over the surface of the j lake, and the harrier hawk was up aloft."