THE FISHING SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 939, 5 October 1910, Page 4

THE FISHING SEASON.

A DISAPPOINTING WEEK-END. REPORTS FROM ALL QUARTERS. From reports gathered from various sources we are able to give a fair summary of; the first week-end of the troutfishing season, which is sure to be read with interest by knights of the rod. There must have been rain in 'the ranges on Friday, as on Saturday morning the Akatarawa Streani was in flood, and it muddied the Hutt River to a great extent. . There was one lucky man who got fifteen- fish on the Saturday and Sunday on creeper in. the Hutt. At Wainui the few fish caught were about "fair average," but not nearly up to the Wainui standard. It will be sad news to lovers of the Wainui to learn that tho green weed ; which usually shows up about the middle of summer, has already appeared. It may have been washed. ,away by Monday's rains, but it was ;in evidence on Sunday. . iThe Waikariae was in flood on Saturday, and was still' too dirty 'on Sunday for the'fish.to.ris'e. Captain Hamilton, A.D.C., left for Waikanae yesterday, to make his first splash in a New Zealand stream. -,' By the way,, fishing licenses 'have' been taken out by his Excellency the Governor, Lady Islington, Lady Beatrice Kerr: Clark, Captain Makgill Maitland,' A.D.C., Captain Shannon, A.D.C. (a" well-tried fisherman in these parts),' and Mr. Kerr Clark. It is on the I :cards.that the whole party may go into camp at Taupo early in the New Year: 'Lady Islington, the Hon. Joan Dickson-Poynder; Miss Cotton, and Captain Maitland are ' at present staying at Featherston, and whilst there will probably fish the Tauherenikau.

No report'has reached us from Makara, which is not so easy of access or so popular as the streams of the Hutt tnct.■':'-'' '.. ■ ■".'' ,' '

Mr. Justice, Russell, accompanied by the Hon. Mr. .Wigham, tried a modest whip on the Porirua Stream during the week-end, but only one fish, was obtain.ed._. As a matter of fact;, the Porirua; whick should be a good little stream, is not given a chance. It is understood that the stjeam.is polluted a good deal by the pig-farmers up .the valley,' and this is killing off.the trout.- It.is not very .clear \ if the farmers are', within their rights in fouling the stream in the. manner; stated. If not, the Wellington .Acclimatisation-Society- should move in the matter. 'The streams -around Wellingto- are too .few already without being .spoilt for trout by drainage. The most encouraging report received' has come from the Moonshine, which re-mote-stream is favoured by the "stout hearts."--:: Fishing the main' stream— the Whakitiki;. Mr. E. Reynolds,'. of Taita, secured.eight nice fish, four 'of which weighed 161b. (one just over 51b). He whipped the upper reaches, whilst his brother.tested.the lower. -The-lat-: tor creeled five good-conditioned fish, three of which .-weighed 91b. The Messrs. Reynolds exhibited : their catch at thoir, place of business on: Monday. .; the City Council going to allow'fishing in the Karori Reservoir this season ? Hitherto they have allowed: fishermen this right on paying, an additional '2s; 6d. on their license. If' the' council is .going, to ■ open the - water'to 'fishermen it ■ should',:only 'be the lower,.reservoir,as .the upper basin was only' stocked with .rainbow troiit last year,' and'they are not. fit to take. yet. ■In the lower' ;water the case •-' is entirely ' different. There the, trout -and perch aro 'so numerous that feed' is scarce, and the fish are in a poor condition.