FISHING NOTES

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20986, 14 October 1933, Page 6

FISHING NOTES

HINTS FOR BEGINNERS [EXCLUSIVE TO THE PRESS. ]

[By BLACK ONAT.J

Tliobo Notes, which ara written by a fieherman of long experience an 1 considerable theoretical knowledge, will appeal every Saturday. Letters containing news items or questions, find addressed "Black Gnat,' care of the Editor of "Tho Press," will receive prompt attention each week.

Last week I dealt with tackle economies and showed that a beginner's outfit could be r rchascd for a very modest sum. Space will not permit of a full description of the various methods of angling, and beginners, seeking knowledge of any particular branch, are reminded that at least one overseas tackle-house, and one New Zealand one, i?;sue gratis angling catalogues which contain, in the fore parts, admirable descriptions of the different methods. General issues, rather than special technique, are therefore here discussed. v « « The beginner's first object will be purely and' simply to get fish and, having landed a few, he will find that, as in other sports, the game, and not the prize, is the thing. If he Is always to be after fish alone he will find it a cheaper and less troublesome proposition to buy them from a fish shop. A fishing license entitles one to become either a good sportsman or a mere "fish-getter," for the regulations are so wide that such rules of fair play as there are in angling are those sellimposed by the individual. It is possible, in night-time bully or artificial lure fishing, or even in daytime bait fishing in turbid water, to butcher fish both large and small, with the heaviest of tackle; it is possible under the same circumstances to catch heavy fish on light tackle. To get the best out of anything the beginner should make up his mind to use the lightest Rear that the conditions justify. Little satisfaction comes of capturing a lib fish in a heavy rod and IX. gut, yet the landing of the same fish on a soz rod and 3X. gV would bo an accomplishment of which the learner might be justly proud. It should always be borne in mind that a small fish m light tackle will give just as great an element of sport as a larger fish on correspondingly heavier tackle.

Apart altogether from any considerations of sportsmanship, there is no doubt whatever that, as a general rule, the use of light gut, whether for bait, fly, or minnow fishing in clear water will result in more fish being taken. * * * Unless the beginner wishes to limit his fishing hours to the particular times when any special method is most effective, he is advised to become proficient in as many methods as possible. Most anglers tend to specialise, and thereby lose a great deal. The ultimate aim, however, should be to become an efficient dry fly fisherman, for this method, besides being more sporting than most and more delightful in application, is the one most productive of results in Canterbury throughout the season. I do not for a moment suggest that it is more effective in the lower Selwyn in October than bully fishing is, or that the dry fly will rival the minnow as a Rakaia lure, but I do say this, that it will give one more productive fishing hours on more Canterbury streams and lakes than any other particular form of fishing will.

"Not. by any large demonstration of words," as Walton put it, is angling skill to be acquired. No more in angling than in any other game is it possible to become proficient by the studying of books alone. Yet there is one book which should be read and reread by every learner, and that is Walton's "Compleat Angler." Not only does this work contain a tremendous amount of practical information and advice, which, in spite of the passage of time, remains as true now as then, but it does give the beginner a proper understanding of how far removed the true sport of angling is from mere fish slaughtering. Apart from literature, the beginner may learn from his own experiences and from the experiences of others, and, whatever style of fish-

ing he adopts, he is strongly urged to get in touch with someone proficient in it and get what personal tuition he can. While there are certain kinds of bait fishing, for instance, set rod worming, in which the beginner can, almost from the first, hold his own with the season fisherman, there are other styles, particularly upstream light bait fishing and fly fishing, to gain proficiency in which it would pay the learner to leave his rod at home for a while and act as ghilhe to an experienced hand. Older anglers have had to go through the mill themselves, and, appreciating the difficulties that trouble learners, they are, for the most part, only too pleased to assist. A beginner should therefore never be shy about seeking the : aid of pro* ficient men he meets on the river bank.

There is nothing inherently difficult about dry fly angling; only is there a little more patience required at the commencement to master the art of casting. If those wishing to adopt this method would, for a short while, overcome the initial urge to land a fish and be content to go, at every available opportunity, to a suitable stretch of water, forget all about trout and simply practise casting, they would progress rapidly. Not until a fly can be made to dron lightly into a one-foot circle at any distance up to 20 yards, is it time <.o seek nsh. If a tutor cannot be obtained, bear in mind that there are two faults which cause bad casting. The first is an error in timing, the line not being given time enough to straighten sufficiently before me forward movement of the rod is commenced. The second —and it occurs most commonly when attempts are made to cast an unnecessarily long line—is that the forward movement of the rod. instead of being arrested in mid-air, is continued until the rod tip nearly touches the water. The regulation inquires that a certain distance along the stream bank should be reserved for the angler who first takes his stand there, but, if there is one unpardonable offence that can be committed, it is to crowd in within casting distance of another angler. Angling etiquette demands only that the utmost consideration be shown at all times for one's fellow anglers, and so long as the newcomer to the sport is mindful of this he will be welcomed by the angling fraternity.

Answer to Correspondent. "Enquirer."—About 20 miles from Christchurch—fish as near to the mouth of the stream as possible. Bully in times such as you mention are effective —no lead is used with the lures.