TROUT-FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 8

TROUT-FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND.

TROUT DIMINISHING IN SIZE. INFORMATION REQUESTED. The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society has received the following communication from the Otago Society concerning the diminishing of size of trout in the Dominion, with a view to bringing back, if possible, the conditions formerly obtaining in the early days of their introduction to our streams: — “One of the problems now confronting us is that trout do not attain the full size in up country streams that past experience lias led us to expect, and the question naturally arises whether it is possible to bring back the conditions which led to the splendid development of the trout in the early days of their introduction. Information from various sources all points to abundance of food in the early stages as the decisive factor. These young fish, which adopt cannibal habits, grow amazingly, their food supply being unlimited. The records' of early New Zealand naturalists show that some 50 or 60 years ago streams throughout New Zealand swarmed with animal life. The small fish were in immense numbers, and crayfish and shrimps were vastly more numerous, while the larvae of several of our large mayflies were abundant in streams where they no longer exist. The smaller insect life is greatly reduced, and strong indications point to the possibility of these in their turn being exterminated. Mr. G. AV. Howes, F.E.S., who is a member of our council, is taking a keen interest in the question of again restoring the disturbed balance. Certain preliminary work lias already been done. The most important step is to get a full understanding of what life now exists in the various inland waters.

The assistance of all anglers in obtaining samples of stream fauna will be greatly appreciated, and all specimens sent to Mr. Howes, Box 114, Dunedin, will be identified and due acknowledgement made. Specimens may he sent alire in tins of wet moss if the time they are in transit does not exceed 3 days—or they may be sent in 70 par cent, methylated spirit—locality and date should be given. If flies are noted emerging it would be of immense interest to have both the nymph and the fly which emerges from it placed in the same bottle of 70 per cent, solution with locality and date. The mountain lakes and back country streams contain the most interesting forms. The contents of trout stomachs in 70 per cent, methylated spirit give a most valuable record. It should be an ehsy matter for Taranaki anglers to supply and forward specimens -from our streams and so help to secure the desired (objective.