Slip kills trout stream

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 7, 2 September 1988, Page 17

Slip kills trout stream

Wildlife officials are devastated by the extent of pollution to a popular trout fishing stream, south of National park. The chairman of the local Acclimatisation Society, Jim Gosman, says the outlook for fishing in the Retaruke Stream is not good, with recent heavy rain adding soil and other debris to the already polluted river. This time last year a massive slip into the headwaters reduced the once-popular fishing area into a slimy grey ooze. The Retaruke was reduced from what was arguably the best troutfishing stream in the district to a dead stream. Mr Gosman said the entire length of the river is polluted and some has even entered the top of the Wanganui River below Whakahoro. At one stage the river had begun to clear and

some wildlife had returned to the waters. The recent heavy rain and further subsidence has put paid to an form of restoration, according to Mr Gosman.