THE FISHING SEASON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 14

THE FISHING SEASON.

ANGLERS’ PROSPECTS. RIVERS GOOD AND TROUT PLENTIFUL. •The.fjshing season will commence tomorrow, October .1, nnd, on the authority of a well-known local angler, prospects have never been better. The winter and spring seasons, with copious rainfall, have been very beneficial. Not only have the fish benefited, but the rivers are all carrying more water. Reports from various rivers in North Canterbury ate to the effect that fine fish have been seen in numbers. The principal fishing rivers under the control of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society are the £clwy.u, Ashley, Wainiakariri, Halswell. Kaituna,' Little River, Rakaia, Hororata and the Main Drain (the north branch of the Waiuiakariri River). All of these arc"reported to be in excellent order and free from weed. The Selwyn River is rather low at the Ellesmere bridge, hut the fish are said to bo really good. One angler has peon o rainbow' trout, which is quite unusual so far as the Selwyn is concerned. In the Upper Selwyn the fish are reported to be much bigger than usual, and the r.rospects are stated to be very good" indeed. The Hororata, which joins the Selwyn, is also in capital, order, and trout are plentiful. Tho 'Wn.imakariri River has changed its course considerably, and anglers will probably experience some losses in tackle before they locate snags and sunken trees. The Halswell is generally in good condition, except at the.mouth, where it is not favourable for fishing. Last week the water at Little River was stated to be clear, and a distinct current was observable. This is an unusual condition of the stream, which is normally of a stagnant nature.’ Tho Rakaia mouth is so changeable that no comments can bo made with certainty concerning fishing prospects there. During the last six weeks the Selwyn has been visited by quite an army_ of anglers, who have been effecting spring cleaning at the huts, erecting new buildings and making preparations for the season’s work. The Selwyn is free of weed, due to tho good scour occasioned by tho favourable season. Last year the river was choked with weeds, and a boat could not get up the stream. 'Hie Ashley River is reported to bo running clear, nnd with a fine flow of water. There should bo excellent fly fishing at the concrete bridge. The 'jigger fish in the Ashley will probably be taken near Waiknkn. The pros-' •>ects of tho Oast stream, which runs ‘nto the Ashley, are not kjnown defilitely, but they are anticipated to he food. Fishing prospects in the South Canterbury district are stated to be excellent, particularly around Temukn. vhere the numerous streams are all reported to be in fine order and with nore water running than has been the case for years. The "Waitaki River, in which anglers of the far south of this province and if North Otago aro interested, is said to bo in first-class order. About three reeks ago an enormous run of silveries ommenced in the big stream. The position in regard to quinnat almon is not yot clear, for the Minster of Marino has not stated whether Ashing for the quinnat will be allowed .his season- It may interest anglers o learn that a dead quinnat salmon vas found in the Wainiakariri River •ocsntly near White’s Bridge. A largo number of licenses have been 'ssu'ed by the North Canterbury Acdimatisatiou Society, and in. this conlection it' is pleasing to record the 'onoession granted by the society in 'ssuing licenses free to returned soldiers; vho have not yet received their dis- .• barge.