Money down the drain

Mr Jim Castles said the project was 'doomed to failure' because a screen across an outlet did not stop the fish escaping.

"Money quite literally is going down the drain," he said.

"It is a well-known fact, and should be to the council, that rainbow trout tend to find their way out of a lake if at all possible and I've no doubt that a considerable number of fingerlings must be taking the one way trip down the drain."

A screen was provided over the mouth of the outlet but in Mr Castles's opinion it would allow trout of up to half a pound in weight through.

"There should be a fine quarter-inch wire mesh," Mr Castles asserted.

"I feel that the original stock must be depleted by now. Fish ought to be clearly visible on all parts of the lake at this time of year but few, if any, have been seen."

Mr Castles was one of a team which helped to clear the lake of coarse fish earlier in the year. Subsequently it was stocked with brown and rainbow trout.