OPENED THIS MORNING

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14474, 1 October 1912, Page 3

OPENED THIS MORNING

PROSPECTS FOR THE YEAR

By the time this is read the fishing season for the year 1912-13 will have opened, and hundreds of trout will have been lured to their death by the tempting bait. Immediately it had struck the 'midnight hour last n'ght the season opened, and the hundreds of anglers who were asembled at the various rivers and streams busily began to ply the rod. The season closes at midniglr. on April 30th. There is every promise of an exceptionally fine season, to the favourable winter conditions just experienced.

As in other years, the Halswell will again prove the popular stream . ior tho first few wouks of the season, q The rivers and streams in winch trout are caught wholly by means of artificial or natural flics are as follow: —Oust, Olioka, Waikuku, Hororata, Littlo River, Winchester, Wahi, Ohapi, and Tenmka. The rivers and streams in which the fish are cauyht wholly by means of artificial minnow are tno Clarence, Waiau, Hurunui, Ashley,. Cam, Waimakariri (North and South Kakaia, and Eangitata. The rivers and streams which combine both forms of sport are the Ilea tlicote, Styx, Avon, Selwyn, Castle Hill, Invel!, Hall's Creek, Ash burton, Orari, and Opihi. Natural fish are fretiuently used with success in "Minnow" streams.

One of the best fly streams in thi> distr.ct is the Hororata, and it is stated f> be in first-class form for this season. Good minnow streams north of Cliris'church are the Hurunui and the Okuku. The -Kakaia and the ltaugitata are regarded as two of the best minnovv rivers in New Zealand, but, unfortunately, they are liable to freshes in the latter part of the summer. A popular river both lor fly and minnow fishing is the Selwyn. in the Heathcoto this year very good catches should be obtained at night with the smeit and the bully, from Tennysou stieet downward.