ROD AND GUN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 18 May 1938, Page 2

ROD AND GUN

THE PAST YEAR IN REVIEW. THE USE OF TRIPOD HOOKS. R ECOAIAIENDATTONS TO COUNCIL. A long discussion on the use of tripod hooks in connection with certain types of tackle was a feature of the annual meeting of members of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society last evening. There was an unusually large attendance, presided over by Air A. J. Alillichamp (chairman of the Council). The Council’s annual report stated: — “Finance—Your Council is pleased to report a further improvement in the financial position, due to a substantial increase in the sale of both fishing and game licences. Expenditure also shdws an increase. The year opened with a credit balance of £165 16s 3d, with £IOO on deposit; and closed with a credit balance of £217 0s 2d, with £IOO on deposit. “Fishing.—A better season was experienced throughout the district for trout fishing. The Rangitata River provided good sport, and some fine bags were obtained up to the end of January. The Rakaia River was not fished so extensively, but some good trout were also taken in the vicinity of the mouth of this river A pleasing feature was the excellent fly fishing on both the Hinds and Ashburton Rivers, the latter river showing a big improvement on recent seasons. The lakes were popular, particularly Lakes Clearwater and Heron. A number of quinnat salman, rainbow and brown trout were taken from 'Lake Heron, and this lake appears to have a big future. Owing to the almost continued freshes in the snow rivers from the beginning of February, very little quinnat salmon fishing was possible, and it is therefore difficult to estimate the size of the run. Good Bags of Native Game. “Game.—There was again an open season for native and imported game, and good bags were secured An increasing number of sportsmen purchased imported game licences fat chukor shooting, and these birds provided good sport. reports indicate that ducks are on the increase, and chukor are firmly established. “Opossums.—Last year two opposum licences were issued, and a fairly successful season was expei’ienced. The Government has declared a closed season this year.

“Hatchery.—Excellent results were obtained at the Hatchery, with the result that 520,000 fry were hatched and liberated. The liberations were as follow:—Brown trout fry: Ashburton River -350,000; Lake Clearwater, 60,000; Rangitata River, 50,000; Hinds River 201,000; rainbow fry: Lake Camp, 40,000.

“Freehold and Reserves.—The Society’s freehold and leasehold properties are in first-class order. Your Council arranged with the Ashburton County Council to carry out further protection work along the river bank at Hakatere, and it is hoped that this will prevent further serious erosion. The Hakatere Sports Club generously contributed £2O toward the cost of this work.

“Ranging.—Our ranger and curator has completed another strenuous year, and the excellent hatchery results are due to his enthusiastic efforts. A large area had to he patrolled, and several convictions were obtained for breaches of the Acts.

Moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman said the better financial position was due largely to the introduction of the 40-hour week, which had induced anglers to come out and bring others with them. The Society had been very pleased at the manner in which the Ashburton River had fished, a result of the intensive stocking that had been carried ont. Anglers in this locality should consider themselves very lucky to have the trout streams so handy. The hatchery had been a great success, and while half a million ova had been hatched out, the Society hoped this year to reach 750,000. After a good deal of discussion on the question of votes for the holders of honorary licences, a recommendation of the Council to go into the subject was defeated by 23 votes to 21. Election to Filt Vacancies.

The secretary (Air J. B. Nicoll) re- # ported that the voting for four members of the Council had resulted:—A. J. Alillichamp 150, A. Cates 146, G. H. Coe 145, A. O. Pilbrow 124 (elected), R. G. Shearman 115, H. G. Kemp 85, F. AV. Dickens 83. Air A. Bushell was re-appointed, auditor to the Society. A petition signed by 20 members, asking that the regulations in regard to the use of silvery tackle he revoked was received.

The chairman said the petition overrode the powers of the Council, and lie suggested that the subject of the petition should he sent to the Council as a recommendation.

Air D. Scrimgoour said that the present rule fostered illegal fishing, and in heading the petition he had not sought to over-rule the Council. He moved a recommendation in accordance with the suggestion of the chairman.

Several members pointed out that the sport of angling was the main thing, and it was not all a question of large hags. The tripod hooks were not in the best interests of the sport. Anglers had lost more fish by the use of the single hook, hut they had had more bites and, therefore, more sport. Air Scrimgeour pointed out that the tripod hook was allowed on the minnow, so he could not see why the silvery tackle should not have the tripod. (Applause). The motion was carried by 26 votes to 22. Air 14. J. Snell moved that the Council he recommended to make a rule in favour of having one set of hooks on each silvery tackc, hut the motion was talked out.

Tributes to the work of the Ranger (Air D. ArcDougall) were paid by members, and the Council was recommended to raise his salary to £250 a year.