THE ANGLER AND HIS PREY

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 3 December 1952, Page 4

THE ANGLER AND HIS PREY

0 N S I D E RA RL E space has recently been given. in our columns to the subject of the angler and his prey. In our issue of November 12th. there was published in full the text of an address by Mr D. F. Hobbs, Senior Fisheries Qfficer, Department of Internal Aifairs (Wild Life Section), to a conferenee of fishing and shooting interests held in ' Taupo on November 6th. In the current edition of the Times,, there appears an artic-le on the subject of marked trout. This is pretty convinring evidence that the Department of Internal Affairs is giving isystematie attention to the problem of improving the quality of the fish in the i.ake and its tributary streams, and incidentally doing a valuable service to the angler. Furthermore, by improving the quality of tbe fish the attractions of the Taupo waters as a resort for anglers from other parts of New Zealand and overseas should be considerably enhanced . In return for all this official solicitude for their enjoyment, the anglers are asked to do something for themselves — a little job associated with the marking of fish. Informative matter has been distributed, with instructions which they are asked to carry out. On the face of it the job is quite a simple one, but it has to be done, tboroughly and comprehensively, if the scientific research work associated with it is to be 100 per cent. successful. In short, the essence of the proposition is co-opera-tion between the officers of the Department and the fisherman they are out to help. In another column we print an extract from the Wellington aDomillion^s?, Random Notes — a widely read column of interesting odds and ends compiled by "Kickshaw,s.,, For this mild act of piracy we hope to be forgiven. The point about the extract is • the reference to trout, to the Giant fish that used to be hauled cut of the Lake and the adjacent streams, and which now seem to have become legendary. The writer

suggests that our trout are getting smaller and smaller — a horrifying thought. Imagine the process of shrinking eontinuing until our famous trout have diminished to the size of minnows! "Kickshaws", in his characteristic way, was joking*, of course. At the same time, the jest given point, of the problem at hand, namely, hovr to improve the fish. There are ways and means, and the anglers can make a useful contribution by co-operating as requested.