SHEEP'S LUNG AS TROUT BAIT

Taupo Times, Volume V, Issue 209, 3 February 1956, Page 1

SHEEP'S LUNG AS TROUT BAIT

Various Fishing Offences Prosecuting a Maori, Michael Duff in the Taupo Court on January 26. for fishing in the Waikato River below Aratiatia without a licence, and for using illegal bait, the Conservator of Wildlife, Mr ' S. A. McNamara stated that Ranger McEwen had seen defendant fishing on November 27. When approached by the ranger he had stated he was using a fly, but had tried to break the line. When the ranger asked him to reef his line in, he again tried to break it. The ranger then took the rod and reeled in a three pound trout. It had taken a hook baited with sheep's lung. Duff's excuse was that he had just lost a silk line and in desperation had used eel bait. , Asked by the Magistrate whether sheep's lung was as deadly a bait as fishroe, Mr McNamara said he was not sure. He had once experimented with roe as bait for trout, but had caught nothing. (Laughter). Defendant was convicted and fined £2 for fishing without a licence, and £3 for using sheep's lung, with total costs £2. For taking trout on October 22, in the Waikato River, in the vicinity of Richwhite's Camp, in the closed season, James Doctor gave as an excuse that his wife had a craving for some eel, and he had caught the trout to use as bait in the eel basket. Replying to Mr Harlow, S.M., defendant said he could get no butcher's meat, as it was Saturday and the shops were closed. His wife preferred eels to trout, as he did. Convicted and fined £4, costs £1. Convictions for fishing without a licence were entered with fines and costs as follows : Walter Gordon Morrison, on October 24, at Admiral's Pool, Tongariro River, fined £2, costs i £1 ; Stewart Russell Farquhar, on i October 29, at Hatepe, fine £2, costs s £1 ; Albert H. Revell, Bank Pool, Tongariro River, October 9, fine £1 10s, costs £1. Convictions for fishing from a boat not securely anchored : Max Marino, October 24, Acacia Bay, fine £1 10s, costs £1 ; Arthur Toms, fine £2, costs ! i

£1 ; Edmond Morgan, fine £2, costs £1; Harry Morgan, fine £2, costs £1, For fishing with a spoon in fly only area, Acacia Bay, October 24: Arthur Toms, Edmond Morgan and Harry Morgan, each fined 10s, costs £1.