AN ANGLER’S PARADISE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1896, 4 December 1923, Page 5

AN ANGLER’S PARADISE.

OUR FISHING RIVERS. There is little doubt that when the Waitomo streams are better known anglers will look upon this district as a “fisherman’s paradise.” It is not too much to say that there are no finer fishing waters in the Dominion, nor are there such a labyrinth of streams,so well stocked with trout as may be found throughout the KingCountry. Furthermore, the scenery bordering some of the more popular angling streams is unsurpassed, and enhances the joy of all artistic disciples of Isaak Walton, who like to do their fishing in pleasant surroundings. WAIMIHA AND ONGARUE. Two of the best known and most popular local streams are to be found at Waimiha and Ongarue, where there is good “wadeable” water for miles, whilst the banks afford easy walking. There are two boarding houses at Waimiha, the proprietors of which cater specially for anglers, and are always ready to provide late lunches and facilities for drying- waders, etc. The novice is usually satisfied to do his fishing off the river bank near the Waimiha station, which does not entail a very long walk to the boarding house. The more ardent enthusiast, however, goes further afield, and finds that the fish are much bigger and better conditioned than near the township. The further the river is penetrated, the better the sport. The fish in these streams readily take the March Brown, teal and red, Hardy’s Favourite, and Twilight Beauty, and when the waters are not clear great success has been achieved with a spinning silver doctor and a sunk fly-

MAHOENUI. Another happy hunting ground for anglers may be found at Mahoenui, where beautiful water extends in all directions from the township. The fish take the fly readily, and are big and splendid fighters. A road branching off to the right before reaching the township affords a good passage for the angler’s motor, from which the rugged grandeur of the Mahoenui gorge may be admired to the full. There are plenty of inviting spots along the roadside where the car may be stopped almost at the water’s edge, and a healthy rainbow “caught while you wait.” The fish rise readily to the fly when conditions are favourable, but when they are “not taking” or “rising short,” the spoon has often been found advantageous. The fish are usually in better condition after Christmas in this district. MANGAOTAKI. Another very excellent stream flows through the Mangaotaki district, from which it takes its name. Passing through Pio Pio, a road to the right paves the way to the Mangaotaki Valley, where, again, the scenery can hardly be excelled. Backed by the sharply silhouetted limestone bluffs, the sun-lit virgin bush makes a picture that can never be effaced from the mind. The road runs alongside the river for most of the journey, and here again the grassy slopes tempt the seeker of the elusive rainbow, “while the billy boils.” The fish here are reputed to be above the average in weight, though not quite so plentiful as elsewhere.

HONIKIWI AND WAIPA. The Honikiwi and ,Waipa streams have always been popular. Both afford excellent fishing, and are always plentifully stocked. MANGAOKEWA. Coming nearer home, the Mangaokewa, which winds its picturesque way past the viaduct and the township of Te Kuiti, affords excellent sport in the season, and has yielded many a delicacy to local anglers, who stoutly aver that there is no need to go out of Te Kuitb for sport while there are fish in the Mangaokewa. These, of course, are the best known streams, but first-class sport is always obtainable in many smaller branches or offshoots of the principal rivers at Aria, Kopaki, Mangapeehi, Mangaohoe, Waitete, and many other localities too numerous to mention. There are ideal camping sites everywhere, and it is only a matter of time before Waitomo is destined to become “the fisherman’s paradise” of the North Island, if not of the Dominion.