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1.2.4 Angling
The first formal intrusion into the Mt Field Plateau was for the benefit of the upper-middle class sport of angling, and appears to have been initiated by the (private) Tasmanian Tourism Association and the Fisheries Commission, headed by S. Counsel, and future members of the National Parks Board. Their impact is recalled in the naming by 1900 of lakes Webster and Seal and Seagers Lookout for members of the Fisheries Commission.
In November 1898, Morton and Rodway, Royal Society members and keen field naturalists, organised the first release of 3,000 trout fry into the Mt Field lakes. Collecting the fry in cans from the Plenty breeding grounds in a wagonette, they stayed over-night at Ellendale in Clark's accommodation house. Rodway, the "premier mountaineer of the colony, had persuaded the Fisheries Commissioners of the advantage of stocking the lakes.
The cans of fry were carried into Mt Field from Ellendale by two experienced locals, Rayner and Squires. Due to the load, Rodway and Morton "carried their own tent and provisions, accompanied by James Clark. Stopping over-night at a "rapid running creek" at 3,700 ft., the two cans of fry were placed in the cool waters. Despite the continual rain and sleet falling, the two scientists spent a miserable night, while their "two Ellendale friends preferred sitting round the fire all night".
Awakening to a south westerly blizzard, the group after three hours reached a peak over-looking "two prettily situated lakes" nestling in the valley. Clambering down a "steep rough hill" they arrived at the "middle lake", and at once emptied the trout, only 20 having died. In honour of the president of the Fisheries Commission they named this beautiful sheet of water "Lake Webster", and the one "about half a mile higher up, "Lake Seal", after the late Matthew Seal", a former head of the Fisheries Commission, a keen advocate of angling. Named also were Mt Rodway a "fine bold mountain at the head of Lake Webster, named after" our energetic leader".
Returning, the party had a clear view of Mt Humboldt from a hill - possibly the Mc Caulay Ranges. The route chosen by the guides may have been determined by the heavy rains (Tasmanian Mail, Dec. 3, 1898. P 18-19.TSA.).
below added 28/8/2015
The first hut in Mt Field
Release of the trout resulted in the area becoming an erection of a hut on Lake Webster. In 1908, the Handbook of Tasmania referred to "a camping-ground at Mt Field East", which was six miles distant from Ellendale - still the main point of access to the area before 1910. ''Those who wish to spend a few days from the maddening crowd" the Handbook continued, "can take up their quarters in the accommodation hut or may hire tents" (Handbook, P. 38). Supplies will be brought in by "a packer".
In 1910, William Crooke, writing as a fishing correspondent "Jolly tail" advised that Lake Fenton could be reached from Ellendale where anglers could "obtain the services there of guides who are themselves good fishermen" (Mercury 30/11/1910 P.3 C.l). The Mercury of May 1911 described a trip to Lake Fenton by Henry Dobson, and commented on the track clearing by W.A. Belcher done on the insistence of the Tourist Association.
The corrugated iron hut referred to by the National Parks Board in 1917 (see over) was erected by the Tasmanian Tourism Association. Shortly after the Board began in 1917, Rodway and Lord reported on a visit to the Park with Ranger Belcher, when 8,000 rainbow trout fry were liberated in the Lakes. After this re-stocking is not mentioned. Angling became less of a promotional feature in advertising the Park and the emphasis is increasingly on winter sports. The lakes became well-stocked, so that by 1924 ,"excellent fishing" was reported in Lake Belcher, where a five pound trout was taken (National Parks Board, Minutes, 13/5/1924, TSA).
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