POOR OPENING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 300, 2 October 1939, Page 6

POOR OPENING

ASHBURTON FISHING SEASON. ANGLERS HAVE LITTLE LUCK. FRESH IN RANG IT AT A NEEDED. There will be few fish stories to tell about the opening of the 1939-40 season. That is unless the angler makes a boast about the one that got nwav, for there is a distinct scarcity of well-filled bags to back up any claims to success. In fact, the opening was a poor one, and fishermen who landed any after the fourth can consider themselves a great deal luckier than the majority. They just wouldn’t bite in the Rangitata, the Hinds ,was too low and clear, the wind was too boisterous at'the lakes, and with a fidl moon and a light frost thrown in, anglers were, given little chance to catch anything besides the proverbial cold. About 15 rods were plied at the mouth of the Rnngitnta yesterday morning, and although the- fishermen were not over enthusiastic about their chances on account of there having been no fresh in the river, they certainly hoped for better things. The total catch of the. 15 reached nowhere near double figures. It is not likely that sport in this river will be much good until there are a few freshes to bring jn feed from the sea. A light frost early in the morning further spoiled chances in these waters. Bags of three or four were the best taken at the Hinds. This river is still too low and too clear. What fish were taken, .however, were in excellent condition, and hopes are high for some tip-top sport here in the near future. A strong north-west wind , marred the chances of anglers who tried their luck at the lakes. One or two who fished Lake Emma, returned with bags lighter than, when they left.