TROUT AT TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 203, 16 December 1955, Page 3

TROUT AT TAUPO

New Book Is Worthy Of Its Subject (Trout At Taupo, by O. S. Ilintz. Illustrated by Minhinnick. Max Kenhardt, London, 1055). It is strange, as Mi' O. S. Ilintz says i 11 the opzning chap+er of his hook, "Trout At Taupo," that Taupo, in the 50 years of its augling history, has so far lacked an exclusive clironicler. It has, of course, liad a place in the rominiseencos of visiting fislierlnoii, notably in Znne Groy's wellknown hook, "Tnles Of The Angler's Eldorado : New Zealand," whose author, as Mr Hintz says, lished skilfuliy for Taupo's rainbow trout nnd wrote of the experienee with discernment and authority. But it can be said at once tliat this gap in New Zealand literature exists no longer. Mr Ilintz hirnself has filled it and with distinction. It is no easy tusk to write on such a subject without falling into the banalities of the mere guidebook, and Mr Hintz is to be eongratulated on a hook in which accuracy and lack of exaggeration are matched hy narratice wliich successfully captures the essentiai spirit of angling in the Taupo Country. The hook is written in prose tliat is never verbose, racy of the New Zealand scene, and with a sensibility for t.hose essentials that constitute the charm of angling tliat will surelv place it among the classics of its class. There may be details of opinion that not all the author's fell'owveterans of the angle will share. Tliat is itself a detail. But it can safely be said that the more a reader may know of the Taupo fishing the more he will enjoy the hook. The angler often finds a certain difficulty in conveying to • friends, who do not share his fishing interests, an understanding of the many factors that go to make up the fascination of his hobby, but readers of Mr Hintz's tale of the Taupo trout canuot fail to gain a clear appreciation of the maviy intangibles that make up that fascination. And that having been said, it slnuild be added that the practical informat ion contained in the hook will provide Ihe overseas angler with a knowledge of Taupo conditions, tackle and metliods sufficient to smootli his path.

No New Zealand angler wishing to give friends overseas some insight into the Taupo fishing could do better than send thern a copy of "Trout At Taupo," and as a gift for any New Zealand angler the hook could not fail to he acceptable. The hook has been attractively produced, and Minhinnick's delightful sketches, and a numher of fme photographs. including a splendid colour plate of Taupo flies, add their full share to its appenl. — R.H.W.