BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2237, 14 January 1897, Page 21

BANK NOTES.

The Waitati.— Mr P. Aitken informs me that be tried the Wairafci last Wednesday, but owing to the stream being so low and clear he did not have good sport. I have not heard of any of the local ncglers venturing out, and do not expect much will be attempted until we have a good downpour to freshen the streams. * . • Mr W. Aitken, writing from Heriot, states that owing to the local streams being bo low and clear it is hardly worth while fishing. , • . ' Mr J. Nelson, one of our well-known angler*, is, I understand, leaving for Hnkaternm- &on Friday next. lam sure that all brethren of the rod will join in withiDg him happiness and prosperity in his new sphere. Thb Waikaka.— Mr James Jack, of Dunediu. spent a tort.Dight on the upper reaches of this str"Bm, and did f xcpptionally well during f th&ttime, landing over 100 flsb. j Thk Pomahaka.— Messrs G. M. Marshall i ana Thomson visited th« Pomahaka at tha Burning Plains during the holidays Mr Thorn- , son left Dunedin prior to the Christmas boli- ! days, and Mr Marshall joined him on New ! Year's Day. They found the river in tip-top I condition (a beautiful brown tinge), a colour ' much beloved by anglers. Both did well in i fishing, but Mr Thomson, being new to the stream, did not know the run of the pools so well as his more * experienced companion, but succeeded during his visit in killing 24- fish J from 21b np to 41b weight, and of these two : were caught with the bare fly, one of the two scaling 41b. Mr Marshall fished from Friday afternoon tiU the following Thureday morniug, and landed 24 fioh, the heaviest of which was 41b. His best day's fishing resulted in a basket of 8 fish weighing 251b, and the next best [ catch for one day's outing was 7 fish of about ; the eatne average weight. The principal lura used was the soleskin phantom, and the more ' battered the minnow the better thu fish seemed \ to like it. Messrs Marshall and Thomson both j speak in terms of the highest praise of the ; accommodation provided by Mr and Mrs Max- > well. A nice 10ft x 12ft teat has bnrn fitted ! up, and four anglers can bn made comfortable ! in the tent, which is fitted up with bunks cou- ' taining mattresses. Two more visitors can be \ lodged in the house ; so that if a party of six I wish ab any time to visit the Pomahaka at Burning Plains, they can rest assured of receiv- • ing tbo best of accommodation and attention at ' a very moderate chnrge. Mr Marshall says that '' it is a three hours' drive from Clinton, and that on tbis occasion Mr Maxwell drove him over in his dogcart; but intending vixitora can at > any time arrange with Mr Nelson, of the j Temperance Hotel, Clinton, and he will drive ! them out to Mr VI ax well's. ' The Tokomairibo — Mr Taylor made a good ; basket from the tidal waters of this rive? about a we<-k ago. With the Rod Down South. — I left town for my customary trip iv quest of the trout on • Monday, the 4th iost. I have said in quest of I the trout, but I was quite prepared to give due attention to perch, and with a view of giving anglers the benefit of what I experienced I will I narrate how I fared after I left Dunedin. I j had made up tnv mind to try the lagoons en ' route, and the firat one I came to that lay handy to the road was one cv Mr Palmer's property, near Otakia. I dismounted from the uicycle 1 was riding on sighting the water, and •vfaeeled the machine to safe quarters near the railway line. To put up the rod I carried with rue was but the work of a few minutes, and ÜBing a blue phantom, I hooked a small perch at the very firflt ca*t. This set all doubt at rest as to whether there were perch there, and I continued fishing, working round to the opposite side of the lagoon. Be' ore very long I had taken out about three d zen very nice fish, averaging quite half a pound, I should say, irrespective of several small ones. Not having , any use for the fish I caught, and not wishing to be burdened with them on the machine, I retnrned them to the water, with the exception of four, which I subsequently gave to a friend I met at Mr M'Kegg's, at Henley. For the information of anglers I may state that the lagoon I speak of is about a mile on tbe Dunedin tide of the Ofcakia station, and can easily bo seen from the road. I think tho place is well worth a visit, but of course it would be advisable to obtain permission to fish from Mr Palmer before going there. I had intended to have tried other pieces of water, but I got so interested m mv lihhing at Mr Palmer's that I found time wouH not pairnit, and I went on to MiJfon. On Weiii.esdaj 1, with a friend, drove

to the Kaifcangata Lake to hive a go a.t the prsrch there, bufi it was a dreary failure, for not a fish did we gefc, though we both flogged tin water most industriously. Ifc ig evident, aud 1 hivre since beon told by Mr Frauer, of Loveil's Flat, thai; it is useless fishing the lake unless it is clear and thera ia au absence of wind, or rather not niora than will ruffle the surface. As ifc happened, the day I was there was very windy, and the lake very thick, and this no doubt accounts for the want of sacse^s. Leaving Milton, I rode to Lovell's Flat-and called on Mr Fraser, who intormed me that ho h«.d a little while previously been out for about three hours on the lake and had taken 30 perch weighing over 30)b, so that givon th* angler strikes a tuitabln day he may rest assumed he will make a good haul if be visits tbe lake. On parting with Mr Fraser I went on to Catlins River to try the Owaka, and on the road took notice of the Puerua and Glenomaru ; and, by tbe way, I went by what is known as the Swamp road, and I would strongly advise b'oyclift< not to try it in preference to the ordinary route, which, though longer, can ba got over in balf the tims. The Swamp road ia quite ridable, but unKss one ha* [ an absolute disregnrd for bis machine and ' bis personal conaforb it becomes necessary to crawl along at a snail's pace. The Puerua. is, of course, practically still at the place I crossed it, but I conld tell that the river must be in good trim The Glenomaru was in capital ordf r, and I saw lots of trout of ab-^ub half a poucd weight in it. I reaeliMl the O«/aka the evening of ibe day I left Miltou, at?d took oufc half a dozen trout averaging about half a pound. Next day I killed 12 more much about tbe same size, but did not fish much as I expected a friend from town, who joiiied me iv due course. A local angler goS 17, aud my friend, who spent a good dt>al of the d*y nxing • up his tent, thoitgb not entirely successful, w»t. ! at any rate lucky ecough to get. «he largest fi-.b. j I found from what li^t'e I dki that a ted spider j and maggot was a fairly good lure. The river ( i* in good trim but rather low, and the weather j i* Mmply lovely, though of the class that makes the tbiu ones chuckle and the fat ones groan. — Jock Scott. Winchkstek, January 11. —Since t,lw <--h iosli , witb continued hot- wpacber, ODly moder&tu j •port has beeu obtainable in the local sr.rraT.c, j Langcion'a register showing 165 trout (1061b), i Mr Josepbson's catch of vsry nice fish in the I Opihi heading the list. Th« R»ngiUta was I tried on Saturday, but tbe water was found too j milky. This river will probably be in condi- • tion by Wednesday next. Fish all round nra ( very plentiful, but a good rainfall woald be j welcome. i Wyndium— The Wjndham Herald of the { Bth January says :—": — " Wyndham has a valuable asnet which is as yet by no means recognised by residents to the extent its importance warrants. Iv iU immediate vicinity are some of the best fi^hiDg streams in the colony, well stocked wifcU j fcront and easily accessible ; in fact, the angiee's | ideal. Last year we chronicled Hie circumstance of Dr Rintoul (Melbourne University) aud a friend having expressed tbems".lveß aa being highly pleased oith the relaxation obtained while devoting their energies to angling in our beautiful rivers. The best proof of their genuine satisfaction is the fact that they have returned this season, bringing soma friends to share their joys. If Wyndham'* attraction* at tbie season of the year were only better known on the other aide, we believe the district would be visited by a considerable number of tourists. At present they are only trickling in— by and bye, we predict, there will be a steady stream of considerable volume. At this time of year generally Southland weather is pleasant, and beicg ao much cooler than the Ausfcmlifin climate, the change is much appreciated by our trieuds from across tho water. Such splendid streams for the atgler to-ply hia ; gentle art deserve their advantages to be made known. It is to the interest of business people and their duty to take practical steps in the | matter. Now, those of ye Wyndham business people who fire most concerned, bestir youreelvps." ! Tbotjt Recobds FKOjr Canterburt.— Ml 1 W. J. Alpa reports tin* following takea : — On December 31, 1 fißh,-6^lb, Mr J. Wartembnrg ; 1 fish, s£lb, Mr F. Wurtamburg, both from the Waimakarin ; a Southbridge angler, 25 fish in three days ; and four arglers, in four daye, 2£cwt of fi«h, all from the Rakaia. On December 24-, * Chrisfcchurch angler, 5 fish from the Waimakarin ; Mr Hamilton, 8 fish from the same river ; and Mr W. J. Alpe, 5 fish from the Avon. On January 2, Mr Hamilton, 12 fi3h fr»m the Waimiikariri. — Mr W. Grant on Saturday evening landed a fish scaling Bilb from thft Opihi, and Mr W. Bowman th« same evening bad two that turned the scale at 21-j.lb. ; Good sport is obtainable with the fly in the \ Opihi and T6muka Riverf, and visitiDg anglers , are doing fairly well when not interfered with by the wind. The Opihi is very low, and the 1 Pareora exceptionally low. In spHe of the . efforts of the rangers a good many fish will be < ; destroyed. The temperature of the water iv , isolated pools is sufficiently hiph to destroy small fish.-r-On Saturday night Mr Hamilton, < of Richmond, made a very po >d basket at I Stewart's Gully, on the Waimakariri, catching ] 12 trout, ranging from 6£!b downwards. Eight i ff the fish, weighing 27£ b, wore placed on view ' at Mr Alpe's shop. — Mr John Velvin, l»ta resi- , dent of Temuka, had a very successful haul of fish at the Rangifcah* on Tuesday, catching a basket weighing 33£lb, including two fish 71b each and one fi«h B£'b. ■ New River. — Some very fine trout have, ; within the l*su few dajs, been taken from the j New River, about two miles below the bridge. Several of them scaled close on 101b. i • A Haul at Catlins. — One night last week a j fisherman At Catlins cast his nets and next morn- { ing on dragging them in found to his surprise 1 that he had captured «ix«harksand two small fish. The biggest-shark was sft 6in in length. It is evident that peoplo at the coast will require to j ba on their guard when bathing. — Bruce i Herald j An Encouragement to Laziness. —A ; Chicago fisherman has patented a rod that , ought to please the lazy and der-py disciples of Izaak Walton. The rod and holdet are poised > and cocked upon a strong spring. In f>\in position it, m»y be left by itielf after tbe owner his baited the hook and cast it into the water. ' When a fish seizes the bait iho tag it; gives the ' line opens the trigger, and the fish is jerked ashore and landed high and dry by the uncoiling of a spring. Thy angler meanwhile can ! ply his higher vocations of lubricating and j playing n^sal holos. Large Dee Salmon. — Oa a Thursday night in Novernhpr a monster salmon was captured by two fishermen with the draught ne 1 " in the Deo at Quc-naferry, near Cheater. The fish measured 4ft 4-in in length aud 2ft 2iin in girth, whilf it weighed 49ib. Tbis is the largest salmon caught in the Dee for many year*. Thk Waiad. — During the holiday season many parties have been up to fhh in this river, aud all with good success. A few days nsjo there was an enthusiastic angler here who kept the account of his catch tc himself, but drove away with sackfuls. I believe many of the applications regarding accommodation, &3., here hsive been answered privately, but; from the numerous ■ letters to Mr Wilson, of Orepuki (Orepuki is the

tovmi .on of '.he Jin* 1 )? he ordered another boat, which in' now on tha rivet, for the crossing over of inaoy othes: p&rfcies ooaiiijg. I »ni an old augler myaelf, aud there ia no tia-.c. Cor the Wainu like tho beginning of January to the middle or fetid of February, wheu tbn s\es.tb.tir might bre-ik, a? at high water t!;»j fi^li lii*ral!y swarm. I musk aJso lvcominpud nny viMioiv ooniiiig to bviug all fishing maoer.sls with (heai, as ttiey are tha only requisites ih&i caniutt e-Ksilv be obtained here. — Occasional COHRFSPONDBNT. j • . • On Niw Yoar'a Day Mr A. Mason secured a nice banket, of 19 ttouo in the Heriot stream. — Tapaoui Courier. | ' . • A Victorian angling party comprising Professor R-mtoul, Dr Robinsso, Dr MacFarlaud, and Mr Duncnti L'>v« landed ab tho Bluff on Monday, 28 ..h ulb., aud have since been fishing on the Aparim* River with good rosnltt. One trout caught by Dr Robinson on Friday we'gl'ed over 81b. and one of those cangbt oa Saturday weighed over s!b. Mr R. Chisholm, of Dunedin, has received a brief letter from Professor Rentoul intimating that th« party were goiog fo Wyndham on Tuesday to fl«h in the Mimib.au. The party propose to keep at angling and avoid cities till th^y leave for Melbourne on th« 28th inst., but would prob\bly heartily welcome any local friends who cared to join them for a few diys. • . ' Mr W. B&ker caught on tha 6*, iv tbe Waimakariri, » female trout 38in long and weighing 271b. i • . * Th« Wtllingtor; Acclimatisation Society has distributed eoinefch-ng like a million of ova fresh from the Ma&terton hatcheries this s-;ason. Acclimatisation in Nktv Zealand. —We (Field) have received tlw eleventh annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society for the year ending March 1896. OF tiiw society the Governor is president', Sir J. Hdt-fcer «ud M*pr-general fcichaw vice-presidents, and Mr A. J. Rutherford both chairman aud hou. oeciv.tary. in the department of piooiculture, it is said that the work carried on at tbe Masterton fish ponds has b'.spn on a larger scalo than in any previous \er.r; h. million and n-naif of o^a were taken from different kiuds of sahoonidiß, and 80 per or»nt. wtra disposed cf cither as eyed ova or fry. A'dod by a fc.*n<3socne donation from the GoverDment, a large quantity of e#gs were lent to thb west coast oi the South Island, and another coxisigdmeut to Like Taupo in tho interior of the North Island, the whole being successfully hatched out and liberated In the mountain streams of that colony. Readers of the Field have already beea informed of the excellent work done at the Misterton fUb poods utider the curatorsh 3 p of Mr L. F. Ayson. The spawning of fhh takes place in New Zealand early jn June, and last year 2260 ripe fish were taken, stripped, and returned. The »y*tem adopted by tbe curator hts increased the yield of eggs from 300,000 to one anda-half millions, secured with Jess labour and expense. The rainbow trout is cow well established in the Auckland district, and ifc is reported that this fish giv^s splendid sport, ia a valuable addition to the rivers, and proves itself to be inter- | mediate in its habits between salmon und trout. New rivers are reported as now open for trout-fishing. The difficulty of transporting ova to tho colonies is not yot surmounted, for it is stcied that a chipment of 200,000 salmon egg«, imported to 1 the order of the Government, burned oub ' badly ; but it is estimated tbat abou 1 ; 10 yer cent, of the shipment may be saved. The council of the society ar? iti agreement with other acclimatisation bodies in New Zealand in recommending that this ova should be sent couth, and placed in <>orne tfood river unsbocked with trout, if snch can b? found, running into the south-western coast «onnds. Under the bead of "Sea. Fisheries" we learn that considerable numbers of fiea-going varieties of trout ate being taken in tho harbours and bays along the coast line, and the importance of giving these fish free access to the sea by prohibiting wetting at the estuaries of the trout rivers is insisted upon. Th« flsh preserve piiuciple adopted in France is suggested as tha proper to aim at. Tho souudoeas of this advice' is illustrated by another paragraph, in tho report, setting forth that Wellington harbour used to swarm with fish, but the sweeping of every available breeding ground and shallow by small mesh nets has caused an alarming decrease. A reproducad photograph, constituting the frontispiece of the pamphlet, represents a take of trouj caught in ttie Wairarapa Lake with locusts, and others caught with loeugt and the Governor artificial fly ; *hs fi»h range from 7ilb. In an appendix entitled " Notes on Fithiug Last Season," by Mr C. H. Izard, it appears that from October to December th-? March brown and Governor wore the best flies for certain rivsrs mentioned ; Decf raber to January, Urge black Palmers ; January to April, Palmer ; and aft all times for evening fishing a roachmau on the stretcher. Mr laiird'a take for the 1895-6 gfnson, beginning Oetobtr 20, amounted to 280 fish, weighing 47131b. . The be6t day wns on March 1, with 14 iish, weighing 29 b. Tho fishing diary of Mr J. E. Smith shows, f .>r the Christmas and New Year week, 40 fih, weighing 551b. A Curious Experience With Twichdookei> Trout — I wa« fishing from 'he shore of m small loch in Renfrewshire on the evening of the9ih insfc. when I mot with what I thought (o be rather an extraordinary experience. Though the trout in thia loch run heavy (averaging about 1-^lb), one baa to use the finest of tackle and small burn flies Early in the evening I get into a fish which I saw was above the average weight, and, after playing him for gome minutes, ho broke me. On examining tha Cist, I found it had given just at the knoi forming the loop for the tail fly. I had been fishing for about an hour after this, and had worked well rouud the loch ; the fiih had come well on the tak«>, and I h«d landed several in quick succession, when I stuck into a heavier fisb.which I landed — a real bcAUfcy, weighing 2£lb. On taking the fly oub of his raoath T (i>.-covered anothtr, with which b? hud evidently jnst been hooked, sud which, to my a«lomsumeut, on further exnrai nation, proved to be, without a shei'ow of donb"-, the one I had lost &v hour previously. I should h&ve con«idered this incident wonderful enough even if I bad caught t>ie trout at or about the came place where I had lost him, but much more so when one takes into consideration that, in order to arr've at the place where I eventually landed him, b« h»d to go round a point which projects far into the looh and then croBS a bay, a s-tretch of betwoon 200 and 300 yarda of water. I have heard of similar cases ag regards salmon wti6n they are running up a river, but neveras regards trout, either in a loch or in running water ; and I should bemuch obliged if anyone could inform me of a similar case in a loch and under the same sorb of conditions. — H Scrymqeour - Wedderburn, Gordon Higbfanders. Maryhill Barracks, Glasglow, June 11.