ANGLING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18534, 9 October 1920, Page 6

ANGLING NOTES.

(By IRON-BLUE.) WORM FISHING. If I were to say that most of the trout captured iu South Canterbury during the first few days of the present season were caught with worm, or worse, I might be doing injustice to some good fly or minnow man; still, I know that not a few foil victims to such dubious methods, for we caught them so oursolvch. That is “ owning up,” anyway; bub for days we had gone from one water to another, only to find the neet was higher than the last, until wo meant to have Borne fish in some wav, and I did not see how else they could bo got inside our baskets. "Without doubt they were rather grisly proceedings, nnd just, anyone can have iny sharo of putting worms on hooks; j 7 et one hit of fishing was cjuite interesting among the rest. One creek we found at last much less in flood. That is to say, though away over its banka into the meadow lands, the water was almost clear, and where it had formed a pool in some hollow next its course one could even see the grass blades two feet below the surfaceWhile passing such a pool, connected to the creek by n narrow inlet, and extending either wav for a score of yards, I thought there was a movement in the water, and, looking more carefully, i counted fish after fish, all cruising hero or there ns though exploring their unusual quarters. Evidently this was no place for the ordinary means of coarse gut and sinkers, and a choice lay between going back and fitting up a fly tackle, or putting a small hook and a worm on a lino cast, and then stalking each fish upon his cmisings. This happened to be the easiest way, nnd presently a worm dropped with a little splash, about a yard or so in front of a fat pounder. By the time he reached the spot the worm had sunk nicely to his level, end ho took it as he swam, as if he had been expecting it all the tame. Likewise, five of his fellows, and had they been given time I believe the lot might have come to hand. A MAP TV ANTED 1 ? As v?o drove to n distant river—nowadays you say you are “ going to try and buy a little sugar,’' and Belinda May will instantly approve of your driving anywhere; and you proceed accordingly—we saw an angler who must have been a stranger in a far country. He had halted his motor-bike, and was putting up his rod by the gateway of a field, and when ho had crossed that held and another in which was a bull, he would arrive at the river in a particularly bad place; while had he journeyed another quarter of a mile and turned left-handed, the road would have taken him to the riverside. Now, who la going to make thin “ angler’s map ’ of Canterbury? Am Ito do it? \Vho 11 buyP A FISHING BAG. A.D.M’L. writes:—“You once referred to a way of making a cheap fishing bag, but you forgot to state how it was done, and now when a bag or basket is so expensive to buy, sovera! friends and myself would bo very glad to know how to do it. ell, I believe that I did forget, or something else was written instead, hut it is quite a good bag and can be made very cheaply, so here is the know-how part of it, which I hope will be found useful. ’ . First get a piece of strong canvas—the stufi of which they make home covers is very good—and cut it double the size of the bag you want, leaving enough extra at one end to form a turnover flap for the top. Next turn in one inch of all the edges, and sew down firmly, and now folding the canvas back upon itself and bringing over the flap to the front, you have the shape of a fishing bag. Bore a row of holes through both of the sewn-down edges at tho sides, which are to be fastened together by running a bootlace in ana out through each corresponding pair of holes, and with the addition of a small strap and buckle for the flap, ana u wide canvas shoulder-band at the two top corners, the bag_ will be finished. A better arrangement is to have two shoulbands, fastened on like the straps of a knapsack, in which way tho bag is much less tiring to carry j but this is a matter of choice, as also is an outside pocket, which can be sewn on to the bag in front." A chief reason against :inv ordinary fishing bag is the truly awful smell that seems a growing part of its long existence, but one made simply as I have noted is cleaned so easily by merely pulling out the side laces and squeezing it in water, that it Bhould tie approachable at any time, even by others than its accustomed owner. HOW NOT TO FORGET. While it is in memory, I must make 0 noto for the man who is starting away for a day’s fishing in circumstances over which he has not quite full control. I saw the poor chap, evidently suffering, and sympathised on sight, so let tne try to sketch the scene. Imagine this poor, hurried and worried angler, presumably in charge of his kit and a gig; und a chestnut-coloured mare, inclined to kick ; and a pair of nice bright small boys, very naturally “ wishful for to fight ” ; nnd a dear—possibly—better half, loudly desiring pence at any price froni her precarious position in the gig. That last sentence may sound the least hit in the world alliterative, but if you had been this worried angler you would not have minded a little thing like that. . . Was it wonderful, on arriving at the river, that he should find his reel and flv-book had been forgotten; or that he took the very next opportunity of spanking his precious pair of email hoys, doubtless for the betterment of their health; or that he heard gladly of a scheme to save him from disappointments on onv future much-married outing? Nowadays the lid of his basket is adorned inside with a. neatly-written list of the necessary tackle, and beforo leaving home he sees it is nil there. The plan is quite a good one, and soon “ lams you ” how 7 not to forgot.