Angling comparisons

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 23, 6 November 1984, Page 16

Angling comparisons

contd from last week

During his travels and at the 25th convention Mr Gibbs talked to many anglers who have fished in New Zealand. They were impressed with three aspects.: The size of the fish; the fact they are wild; the general scenery and nature of the country. "There was a strong feeling we should keep things this way," said Mr Gibbs. He said the publicity released by NZ agencies on the US market tended to over-emphasise the ease with which trout could be caught here. "It is harder here to catch fish than in the US," said Mr Gibbs. "Anglers I talked to gave me the impression they appreciatedx the quality of our fishing rather than the quantity. "In the main New Zealand tends to attract affluent anglers who are prepared to : pay for quality fishing." As a result of the high fishing pressure in the US Mr Gibbs noted the fish had modified their behaviour. "When I stepped into the water fish would sometimes

leave the shelter of the bank cover to feed on the nymphs scuffed up by my walking on the river bed. "I suppose the fish have become used to being disturbed. If the fish reacted like ours and swam for cover every time an angler stepped into the water they would probably starve to death." To extract the maximum sport from their fishing the Americans have developed extremely fine tackle. Rods and reels for 4weight lines were commonly used — and the tackle maker Orvis, said Mr Gibbs, had produced a graphite rod for a specially made 2-weight line. (In Taupo tackle generally ranges from Nos 71 0 with a preference for rods and lines in the 8-10 bracket). During his travels he encountered some extremes with flies, too, ranging from size 28 midges in the eastern states to "really heavy" lead weighted 1/0 nymphs in the west. Mr Gibbs said the trip had been important professionally to him. He had been able to affirm that New Zealand freshwater fisheries management was proceeding along right lines and check out ways of not doing things. The relationship between the anglers and the fish and game authorities was similar to that in New Zealand, although NZ fishermen probably had more say in management matters. "In the US it is the lobby and the political clout that carries the day." One interesting statistic which Mr Gibbs brought back relates to money spent on improving and maintaining freshwater fishing. In Colorado $6 million is expended each year. In New Zealand the Wildlife Service is granted just $500,000 for the upkeep of our world class waters. Reprinted from Taupo Times