SALMON TROUT IN THE WAIKATO RIVER

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2721, 19 December 1889, Page 2

SALMON TROUT IN THE WAIKATO RIVER

Thk question of the successful infmdiiclicn of trout into the Waikato Kiver was, on Tuesday afternoon, satisfactorily, though somewhat unexpectedly, verified. Reports have, from time to time, been heard of strange fish making thfir appearance in different parts of the river. Two or three years ago a h'sh was caught at the head of the Raglan harbour, and wie supposed to be a salmon trout. About two years ago Mr F. Edgcoumbe, surveyor, saw a trout that had been killed by the cut of a spade in a swamp drain at Mercer. Until the present occasion no very satisfactory conclusion had been arrived at as to the success or otherwise of the different effects mudo from time to time in the past to introduce fish of the trout species into the rivers and streams in Waikato. In the South Island many rivers have bsen well stocked with Hsli for some years, and already attract a good deal of attention who love to follow the " gentle art." Colonel Forbes, of Hamilton, has been in the province of Canterbury for the last two months, attracted thither by the prospects of enjoying his favourite pastime. When leaving Waikato he had little idea that there was probably as good fishing to be got not far from his own residence. A brief description of the fish, and how his capture was brought about, will be read with interest. It will be remembered by imuiy of our readers that on several ocoassions last summer we referred to the success attending Mr Wright's efforts in securing some line fish, which were fiei|ucntly to be seen on different sand banks iu the upper Waikato, more particularly just above the Hamilton traffic bridge. From fifteen to twenty lish wi'rii at tinH'!i nean together swimming quietly about over these shallow*, and it was at this spot that Mr Wright prepared his net for their capture. A good many opinii ns as to the species of the fish were expressed before any wore caught. Some said tiiey were trout, others that they were a trae grayling, au-.l soino agiin wero positito they wero tha upuknro. a fish that used years ago to be caught in gre>t numbers uy Jlr Cliitty just below the rapids, at the mouth cf the Karapiro Stream, Cambridge. On the lirst lot being brought sifely to land by Mr Wright it was no longer a question of doubt, »k the fish pmved to be the true sea mullet of commerce so well known, who either visit the rivers for the purpose of spawning, or to cltansj themselves from sea lice. Some of these fish made their appeittance a few Jays ago, when Mr Wright's nut was again put in requisition. Whilst nuking a draw on Tuesday afternoon, the fish, tlio subject of this notice, was caught. Mr F. W. Browning, :ui ardent fisherman, who was watching the proceedings, at ones recognised the fish us a trout and secured him. Some little stir and excitement was cansod when it bocame known that a large s' range fish had been taken from the Waikato River. Numbers of people called at Mrs G Wynne's during the afternoon and evening to get a view of the h'sh, and it was the general opinion of thwe who know anything of the subject, that the fish is a specimen of the Auiurican sulmoti trout. It measured from tip of snout to tail 2(U inches, head 8 inches depth at dorsal fin 7k iuclies, depth at shoulders S inches, and weighed 81bs. in colour the back was dark green, the sides generally white, and with the usual dark brown spots, inclined to golden tints towards the tail. The under jaw was hooked, clearly showing that the fish was a male and that the spawning season had not long passed over. Before handinf, the fish over to the cook Dr. Murcli executed an excellent full-sized, water-colour painting, and Mr Reid took several photographs. The head has been sent to Mr Ciieeseman, curator of the Auckland Museum, tor his report thereon. There will, no doubt, be much speculation as to whom the credit u due for introducing this species, M.my yens ago Mr Firth liberated a lot .of salmon trout fry in different parts of the province. Some, we are told, were placed in the Waikato River at Mercer. Since that time Mr Gelling, who for some years devoted a Lit of time to the study of pisciculture, met with a great mishap, which put a stop to his operations. The hatching tanks were overturned by an unexpected rise in the river, casting some thousand of young trout upon their own resources earlier than i.-> usually considered safe, owing to the number and rapacity nf their enemies in the shape of shags and eels. We are inclined to think this lot was of the brown trout species. In any case the fish have become acclimatised, and, although it may be some time before another is seen, it is quits certain tho Waikato River is a suitable habitat, and it will only be a question of time when excellent sport will be afforded to those who have read with envious longings the reports of capital sport enjoyed by anglers in other parts ot the colony.