PISCATORIAL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4932, 23 January 1895, Page 3

PISCATORIAL

THE FORTY-MILE BUSH RIVERS.

Mr N. J, Tone, of Pahiatua, has sent to Mr L. F. Ayson, an elaborate plan of the variousriveis andstreams in the Forty-Mile Bush, or more correctly speaking in that portion of the Pahiatua County, where trout \vere liberated last season. Accompanying the tracing is a carefully arranged description of each of the rivers and streams with thoir suitability for fisherman, and an expression of the class of tackle most likely to be successful, as well as tho nature of the river bed, and food on which the trout may feed. Only an enthusiastic fisherman like Mr Tone, would have gone to the trouble of making so useful a guide, alike to tho Society's officers and to fishermen. There can be no doubt that with judicious conservation and stocking, these rivers must attract fishermen from all parts, and will induce tourists to stay awhile as they pass through,whieh of itself, must be a decided gain to the district.

Great pains were taken last season by Messrs Tone and Puckle,who took charge of tho liberation of the trout sent up,so that there would be a proper distribution, and in most likely places suitable for the young fry. The fish were distributed as follows:—Mangahao River, at Girdwood's Crossing, 12,000; at Sinclair's Crossing, 10,000; and at Gardiner's Crossing, 12,000. In a small stream between Sinclair's and Gardiner's 3,000, and in the Matarua Creek, near its junction with the Mangahao, 5,000 ;Mangatainoka River at Mangatainoka township, 8,000; and at Pahiatua, 7,000; Makakahi River, at various points between Hawera (Tutaekara) and its junction with the Mangatainoka, 10,000; Makairo River at various points, 12,000; and in theMakuri stream near theMakuri township 6,000. This gives a total of 85,000 fish and does not include the head waters of tho Makakahi, the Tiraumea and tributaries at Alfredton, where the balance of the fish allocated to that district wero liberated. Mr Tone points out that the head watere of Mangahao (the finest trout river in the district) has yet to be stocked. Speaking of the rivers and streams and their suitability for fishing, Mr Tone favours the Mangahao and Mangatainoka for both the Dy and minnow. The Makairo and Makuri, he says, are essentially fly rivers; tho Tiraumea and Makakahi- owing to thoir steep banks—are not so suitable for fishing, except in certain reaches which are met with occasionally. Near Eketahuna there has boon some excellent fishing done in the Makakahi. Tho banks on both sides of the Mangahao, Maiigatainoka,Makahnhi, Tiraumoa, aid Makiro, are reserved, as also are the banks of tho Makuri, except tho first ton miles from its 1 confluence with the Tiraumea. This is cssontial for fishermen to know as i no permission is necessary from the settlera. ' The Makaretu, Matarua, and Tainui streams, tributaries of the Mangahao are excellent for fly,

but run through private property. I Mr Tone, in concluding, gives a word |of caution to any who may bo tempted to fish in the reaches of tho Jlakiiri Gorge, which ho considers certain to end in loss of casts and broken tops. He considers that for fishing purposes the Mnngalinomust soon take a leading place among the rivers of the Colony.