ANGLING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 273, 2 November 1932, Page 5

ANGLING

KARAMU CLUB NOTES A DISAPPOINTING WEEKEND. FURTHER HINTS ON THE WET FLY. (By “Matuku.”) Results last week-end proved most disappointing as far as local anglers were concerned, no bags of note having been reported. The * heavy wind and rain which started on Saturday afternoon and continued throughout the weekend no doubt had the effect of keeping the fish down. The river -was clear, but also fairly high, due to the thunderstorm experienced in Central Hawke’s Bay during last week. If the weather remains fine, a big improvement should be noticed for this coming week-end. It is understood that one prominent Village angler secured only one fish for the ten hours’ fishing. Although this js very discouraging, it goes to prove what a great hold angling has on those that indulge in the pastime.

Fishing the Wet Fly. Last week the general or most common method fishing the wet fly was dealt with, that is to cast the fly or flies square across the river and let the current do the work. It will often be noticed when using this method that a fish will take on the turn of the fly, or sometimes when it is being drawn up the current. This method is ‘ also remarkable for the great number of small fish caught. Another idea, ujore so for the experienced angler, is to cast the fly or flies upstream as in dry-fly fishing. To do this correctly is not nearly as simple as it sounds, because a lot of slack line has to be contended with.

When the cast is made, the rod point should be lifted, and any other slack line taken in by hand. Of course opinions will differ with regard to raising the rod, as a number of anglers prefer to strike direct from the reel, which should be set fairly heavily, but with only enough check to prevent a breakage.

The flies will sink with this method, and many fishermen contend that this is the onlv way of fishing the wet fly, that enables big fish to be taken. If fishing in brown trout rivers, the fly must not be dragged. Drag is absolutely fatal to success, and will only put the fish down and keep them there. There is no need to be quite as careful of drag when fishing for rainbow trout, but keep feeling the line, and this will let you know if a fish has taken. This will also impart the slightest movement to the fly, and will often attract the notice of the fish. Still another method is to grease the line and cast with a specially made preparation such as cerolene, slideline, etc. The cast should only be greased as far along as the last knot. Cast upstream as mentioned previously, when all the greased part of the line and cast will float, but about 12in. of cast with fly attached will sink (only one fly should be used). This method is not likely to be very successful on such rivers as the Ttiki Tuki, where the currents vary a great deal on a small stretch of water. If it be a very calm day or evening, the conspicuous drag caused by the greased line will frighten the fish. For small streams, however, manv fisfi may be takeq by either idea. The most common method of fishing upstream, is to start in at the foot of a reach or rapid, and gradually fish upwards towards the head. Both these methods are more applicable to slow water or small streams, ns a terrific amount of casting has to ho done if fishing in a fast river Also, the flies do not have much ehnnee to sink if the water is moving very quickly. For publication, '' Matuku ’ ’ would be very pleased to have other anglers’ ideas and suggestions on their methods of Ashing

the wet fly upstream. It is a branch of angling which does not seem to be much practised locally, and it would certainly create a great deal of interest to determine which is the best method of fishing wet flies for this district. This Week's Tall One! A young American woman having her first experience of fly-fishing in Scotland, after several unsuccessful casts bat her fly taken by a big fish. The salmon escaped unscathed. Turning to her escort, a dignified head gillie, the American girl plaintively remarked: “Sav shepherd, something has sucked the bug off my string!”