A SOCIABLE TROUT

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1952, Page 3

A SOCIABLE TROUT

On a recent Monday afternoon at the mouth of the Waitahanui River ja, most unusual incident happened during a long lull in the catching of j the elusive Rainbow. Mr R. S. (Bob) Thompson, of Auckland, whilst fishing to one side of the main stream, felt what he thought was a piece of drift wood against his leg. Looking down he found that a large trout was scratching himself on his waders. He shortened his line and keeping his rod up-stream and the tip' under water was able to present a tasty-looking fly right at the trouts very nose. This only succeeded in making the trout move a few feet away. Howifver, a moment or two later the trout swam in between his wader legs, and then rest lovingly against his right leg on the outside. iMr Thompson got to considering whether he could "pet" the fish, and suiting the action to the thought transferred his rod to his left hand and slid his right hand dowm and under the fish which was 'not in the least disturbed by this. Even when the fish was gradually lifted up towards the surface of the water there was no objection by the trout. With a quick lift, the trout was soo'n smartly tucked under Mr Thompson^ arm. It struggled whilst being inspected by the anglers near enough to see the incident, and after deciding that that it was prcbably affected by the warm water (or sick). Mr Thompson let the fish side headfonmost into the water where it calmly and quietly swam away. The fish was in perfect condition, so far as the eye could tell, and weighed every bit of six pounds.