TONS OF TROUT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 311, 26 May 1911, Page 3

TONS OF TROUT.

GREAT FISHING AT TAUPO. Mr. C. HI, L. Potts, a well-known resident of Sydney, arid an ardent iisherman, has been spending a couple of months in camp, fishing the rivers that flow into Lake Taupo. The visitor, who is not a stranger to the locality, is more enthusiastic than ever in declaring the waters to be the finest trout fishery in the world. During the sojourn of himself and Mrs. Potts at the lake, they caught no less than 2'/ a tons of trout, without in any way attempting to put up a record. As a matter of fact, Mr. Potts states there were several people in camp who caught more fish than he did, so that an idea can be formed ol the wonders of these waters to disciples of Isaac Walton. One fisherman, Sir. Schilson. is said to have taken eight tons of trout this season; and still no impression is made on the swarming numbers which use Taupo as the sea, and the rivers for breeding purposes. Many people, says Mr. Potts, visit the rivers.early in the season, and go away disappointed with their sport. This is owing to tho fact that the fieh have not yet made for the home waters from the lake, for tlie trout of Taupo behave precisely as do. the salmon of North America, and commence to liomc at a certain time ill the same manner .as do the salmon. "In fact," says Mr. I>otts,| '■[ believe they are a species of salmon—j the desk when cooked takes on the pink color of the salmon, and tastes exactly like it." Like other successful fishermen who have, fished the Taupo rivers, the visitor believes that the trout can do well, and favors the idea of a cannery being established at Tokaanu. At present the lish ire either given to the Maoris oV.are thrown away. "I find ii difficult to make my people in England believe in the trout catches here," said Potts. "Occasionally the subject of fishing will crop up. and my father wilt say, with a twinkle in his eye—'Tell us one of .those New Zealand fish stories!' I show them genuine photographs, but they say that the fake photographer is so clever nowadays."