Arthur. — On the Broivn Trout introduced into Otago. 483 



The Waitati River has not been in much repute for years, having fallen 

 off in productiveness. The best day's fishing I know of got in it, was in 

 November, 1879, by Mr. S. Thompson. On that occasion he caught 22 

 trout, weighing 23^ lbs., or an average of 1-06 lbs. each. The water was 

 low and he fished with fly and maggot. It was first stocked in 1869, and 

 again in 1874, so taking Mr. Thompson's largest trout, which was 5f lbs., 

 as one put in during the latter year, its yearly rate of growth would be 

 1-15 lbs. In Blueskin Bay, into which the Waitati flows, there are fre- 

 quently trout seen and netted which may probably have come out of this 

 river. It has a good supply in the season of smelts and whitebait, and its 

 bed consists of trap boulders ; its banks are covered with bush. 



Fulton's Creek is a small stream, the upper part of which descends 

 rapidly from the mountains through bush, and its lower waters flow gently 

 through the alluvial plain of the Taieri in deep long reaches. It has a good 

 stock of trout, and very large ones frequent its lower waters. Trout were 

 first put into it in 1869, none since then, and in July, 1881, Mr. Deans 

 caught two beautiful females, 18 lbs. weight each, on which occasion he 

 reported very few males to be seen. The least possible annual growth of 

 these two fish would therefore be 1*5 lbs. It has fine gravel beds, and 

 seems to be a good breeding water, small trout being numerous. 



The Tokomairiro River has not as yet got up a good stock of trout, 

 although more than 9,000 have been liberated in the north branch alone 

 since 1869. In November, 1882, Mr. Burt caught one of 7^1bs., in fairish 

 condition. It has a long reach of ten miles tidal water from its mouth, so 

 it should have an excellent supply of food of the migratory kind. 



Lovell's Creek, which empties itself into the Tuakitoto Lake, is a small 

 river, but remarkable for containing a considerable number of large trout. 

 A good number of these have been caught, and in July, 1882, one of 15 lbs. 

 was found dead in it. It was a female and was very fat, and must have 

 grown yearly 1*66 lbs., as the first trout was put into this stream in 1873« 

 I have no doubt this stream contains an abundant supply of the migratory 

 fishes which visit all waters so near the sea or so accessible from it. After 

 spawning the large trout in all probability descend to the lake to recuperate 

 themselves. 



Kaihiku River is the first stream within the trap-rock region between the 

 Clutha and Mataura Bivers, and, like the most of them, it has a more or 

 less northern course, facing the sun. Judging from the baskets of trout 

 taken from it, I should consider it a very well stocked little river. It is 

 very full at present of small trout. I have, however, only one angler's 

 record available for reference, which gives for two days' fishing, 28 trout, of 

 a total weight of 17 lbs. This is equal to 14 trout per day of an average 



