THE FISHING SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1874, 7 October 1913, Page 8

THE FISHING SEASON.

o - SOME GOOD BAGS. PERCH IN THE WAIWETU. Thus early in the season it is difficult to prophesy witli any degree of certainty what the fishing prospects are to be, but there was an exceptionally good opening on Wednesday last. This may be taken as a happy augury for tho earlier half of tho season, and if moderate spring rains are experienced, tho prospects for tho summer-end should be improved. Contrary to expectations; tho Wainui turned out trumps. Owing to the heavy repair works at the Morton Dam (Solomon's Knob), which was lowered considerably beyond the normal level, it was thought that the waters of the stream might liavo been disturbed to an extent, detrimental to tho well-being of the trout, but happily that was not so. Among the heavy bags Mr. Frank Dyer is reported to have taken twenty'fish on the opening day, and Mr. Fulton caught a similar number. As far as condition is concerned, Major Hume's six, weighing 1341b. (taken in Grace's water in the lower valley) is said to have topped the list. Mr. Dimock took 16, and his niece, Miss Dimock, 11. Major J. Hughes is said to have done very well, and Mr. Burroughs lifted a good bag. The fishing during, tho week-end at Wainui was not so good as at the opening. Though fishormen had enjoyed such good sport at the opening there was not a great rush. Possibly some anglers anticipated that there would be. and betook themselves elsewhere. Tne fish appeared to be slugglish, and no very big bags were recorded.• Little has been heard of the Waikanae so far. One local angler sent down a 2} pounder, but it was inclined to be "slabby." On its length itsho'uld have weighed 3 to 3Jlb. This may serve to indicate that tho Waikanae fish have not yet struck condition. On the other hand, the "Wainui trout are in capital condition. Anglers who got out a bit report that tho i Akatarawa promises well,. and sport is really good in the tipper reaches. Mangaroa—no reports. Variable reports have been received about the Hutt. Ono angler is reported to have taken 17 -fish in tho Hutt on FrfSay, whilst Mr. Charles Allen states that ho fished all tho way down from a point above the golf links to Haywards without getting a rise. South Karori Stream is yielding fair resultsall small fisb. What is of great interest from an Acclimatisation Society point of viewis that fishermen report fry to be plentiful, particularly in the back waters of the Wainui, wnere thousands of inchlong trout were observed during tho week-end. Tho mild winter and early spring i 3 doubtless accountable /or this state of things, one which augurs well for the fishing some three years hence. Anglers will be interested to know that a number of yearling porch have been liberated by the Acclimatisation Society in the Waiwetu Stream (eastern Hutt). This stream has novor been very much good for trout (though occasionally a big one is taken there), because the waters are too sluggish and weed-grown. These are not such objectionable conditions for perch, which are expected to do well in the quiet waters under the hill.