SOUTH ISLAND ANGLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND ANGLING.

JTHE QUINNAT SALMON.

MANY PROMISING WATERS.

STANDARD MAINTAINED WELL. ' Fishing in the South Island, although Hot .yet as workl-famed as the angling on the Tongariro River and the lakes of the thermal regions, is now rapidly becoming better known. The quinnat salmon, -which is now starting to run up the snow rivers of Canterbury, is beginning to attract the attention of overseas anglers, and there is excellent promise for the successful liberation of rainbow trout in Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Province. The fishing this season at Lake Rotoroa opened on November 1, a month later than in previous years. For the first few weeks the fishing proved to bo most disappointing, but the latest report says that there has been a distinct improvement and that fish averaging between five and six pounds have been taken. Fishing has been the best with the fly at the two rivers, the D'Urville and Sabine, ■which drain into the lake, but generally it was much better last season. It is considered by expert fishermen that the changing of the opening will benefit the fish, as a number caught last season in October had not finished spawning. The Grey Acclimatisation Society .has some very promising stretches of water in its area and the building of the dam for the hydro-electric works on the Arnold River has given anglers a new fishing pool. , West Coast Prospects. Fishing at Lake Brunner at the beginning of the season was very good, and the local society is fully alive to the value of this splendid stretch of water for the acclimatisation of trout. Hopes are held that it will rank second to none for minnow fishing in the South Island. A recent week-end excursion on the Tereniakau River, near Greymouth, by a *party was responsible for 18 nice brown trout, averaging 3£lb., being taken. Some heavy s fish have been taken out of the Haupiri River, while a y-as caught in the Grey River, near Dobion. Hopes are entertained for the successful introduction of trout into the rivers and lakes on the road to the glaciers. Eels are a menace here. Mr. P. Graham, of Waiho, reports that ho has seen trout in the rivers, which have evidently come up from the sea, and that brown trout have been caught in the Tatare River, near the hotel at Waiho Gorge. Angling lor Salmon. Although- numerous trout are to be caught in the great rivers in Canterbury the favourite sport with rod and line is the angling for quinnat salmon at the mouths of the rivers and in the breakers. From, now on anglers will be gathering at such rivers as the Waimakariri andRakaia and trying their luck with these fine game fish. The run has already started in the Rakaia. Apparently the salmon have returned a little earlier this year, but the big fish, ranging up to 301b., are not / usually caught until the main run. Reports to hand show that already some good-sized fish have been landed in North Canterbury. Four fish ranging in -weight from 191b. to 241b. were taken out of' the Hurunui during the last week in January, and several other catches have been recorded since. Much concern was expressed recently by the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society over the Government allowing the netting of quinnat salmon in the Waimakariri. Four licences were issued for netting. A statement has been issued by the Minister of Marine that the netting would be carried on, a condition being that no netting would be allowed between midnight on Thursday until midnight of Sunday each week. Previously netting was not permitted between Friday and Sunday. Good Sport with Trout. It is expected that some good trout will be taken out of the Wairau River and its tributaries this season. This area was first stocked with 200,000 fry in 1927 and it is confidently expected that the results will be evident this season. An early report at the opening of the season was that a larger number of fish was observed than for many years past. The rivers •were stocked with a further 150,000 fry about 'September. Fishing at Lake ? Tekapo and Lake Alexandrina has so far been better than usual, due partly to the good weather conditions prevailing in the early part of the summer. Mostly rainbow have .been taken from Alexandrina and they have been in good condition, the average weight being from 41b. to Tha Tekapo River, a quarter of a mile down from the bridge, has given some good sport, and a well-known Christchurch angler recently took out some nicely-conditioned fish averaging 41b. in ,weight. Lake Pukaki and the rivers round about have been fished well during the holidays and rainbow up to 121b. have been secured. Dr. Anderson, president of the Lakes 'Acclimatisation Society, who is also a keen angler, reports favourably on the fishing 'at Lake Wakatipu as well as lakes and rivers in the vicinity. Fish have been plentiful this season and in good condition. Lake Hayes, a few miles from Queenstown, has provided excellent fly and minnow fishing and the fish have gone up to 41b. Good baskets have been taken from Lake Moke and Lake Kilpatrick, especially by those jvho have followetj the eight-mile trail up the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The Kawarau River, five miles frojn Queenstown, has been clear and in good fishing order. 'Just before it junctions with the Shotover some nice 51b. to 61b. fish have been taken. Good Standard of Pish. These waters are suitable for either dry or wet fly. The best sport is, however, obtained in the Caples and .Greenstone Rivers, which flow . nto Wakatipu near-the head of tbss lake. The Lochy, -which empties into the lake half-way to Kingston, is another spot which has a constant reputation for good sport. Restocking has been taking place each year and a good standard of fish has been jnaintained. Ova has been obtained from the Otago and Southland Acclimatisation Societies, as well as from the Lakes hatchery at Hayes Creek. During the last two seasons extensive liberation has taken place, the number used being 700,000 each season. The Atlantic salmon (salmo salar) is the /fish most sought after at Lake Te !Anau, and in that great river, the Waiau. A number of salmon has so far been taken out of the Waiau this season. They have been caught on the fly and in the stretch of the river between Te Anau and Lake Manapouri. , A few have been taken out of the Eglinton River. Plenty of brown trout have been taken this season out of the Mararoa River, all with the red-tipped governor fly. It is interesting to note that the Waiau River, Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri are the only places where the Atlantic salmon has become properly acclimatised ih New Zealand. A determined attempt was made by the Government to establish this sporting fish in the [Wangariui River, and from 1923 to 1929 a total of 3,137,000 ova was sent to the hatchery at Kakahi for liberation, but up to the present there has been no evidence that the salmon has become acclimatise^