FISHING SEASON OPENS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27470, 2 October 1954, Page 10

FISHING SEASON OPENS

Poor Catches At Selwyn Huts

WEATHER FINE BUT VERY

opening of the fishing season at midnight on Thursday did not provide many of the 60 or 70 anglers 4pavaUed the Selwyn Huts with much sport. Few fish were taken, caught one or two fish, but ve S f ew_ caught three or more. o e ® e iwyn Huts, the most popular ™ . Can i erb ”V y rlvers i° r the opening, EResniere, were in excellent for flshln g. As the minutes ticked by more and more cars arr*Y* ' an ? tbe hurried though careful last-minute preparations were made—rods were assembled, lines run out, traces carefully tied, and waders put on. One by one the car lights were put out, and except for the odd car arriving, the only lights visible were those from the stars and the torches eac k angler carried. The weather for the opening could not have been better. The sky was clear, and the light though very cold easterly, wind did not hamper the angler m making his casts. As the night progressed, the lack of activity m the water combined with the cold, almost frosty, conditions, turned ma V y anglers from the water and sent them on their way home to more congenial conditions. Many others remained, however, and as the skv began to lighten in the east the exodus n„„S ars ei ? ded and a fresh stream of anglers who hoped to catch the morning rise began. The reasons for the poor opening were debated by several anglers at . Seb y y P> and tbe consensus seemed t be beginning of October is too early for the fish, which seemed better as the weather and water become warmer. The only really successful fishermen were those using natural bait such as cockabully. Through the use of threadlines and bait-casters such nsnenmen were able to cover a lot of water with a bait that seemed to be the only one palatable to the trout that evening. Many anglers who have fished the Selwyn Huts for years have their favourite spots. To get to them many have to use rowing boats, and these were used freely at the huts on Thursday night. One of the largest fish taken there was a well-conditioned four-pounder by an angler using cockabully bait. By the same method he caught two smaller fish. The other fish caught c^ nt an eon& mBU ’ aith ° Ugh * n “■

Halswell River Several fishermen who opened the season at the Halswell river had more success, although the opening at this popular river was considered poorer than in previous years. About 40 r 2 d F, were out at one time, but many of these failed to catch a fish. Two others, however, had bags of six and five fish, and several others caught l.Wn rvr fhrno

Anglers who fished the Waitaki yesterday had a fair amount of suecess. The river was fairly clear. At Victoria Lake there was the usual number of small boys after * tiddlies.” One noticeable difference over the last 10 years or so has been the change from primitive equipment, and yesterday all the rods in use were either whip-like fly rods or short, stumpy bait-casters. No catches were reported, but one fisherman (aged about nine) claimed to have seen a rainbow trout of “about four oounds and about as big as this (his hands about two feet apart) with a hook in its tail.” At least two youngsters, pupils of a school in the north of Christchurch, played truant for the afternoon, and one boy who had for a reel an empty peach tin confessed to having robbed the refrigerator at home and eaten the remaining peaches in the tin before taking it with him.