FISHING AND SHOOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17321, 22 May 1918, Page 9

FISHING AND SHOOTING

ACCLIMATISATION REPORT. Following is an outline of the oounoil report of the Otago Acclimatisation Society The distriluition of fry for the year shows a decreaso of 99,500 as against the preceding season, tho chief factor governing this being tho difficulty again experienced in obtaining eggs from wild fish; also to the restriction of train services due to exigencies created by the war. For this season efforts are being made to overcome tho difficulty experienced in fish from tho harbour getting up the Loit.h over the smooth concrete bottom laid down : in the lower roaches of the Leith. Mr C. A. W.lpon. chairman of the Angling Committee, and Ranger Pellett have designed and Constructed what may bo termed a rope ladder —i.e., a long rope with heavy blocks of timber fastened to it at intervals moored in tho watei upon the smooth bottom. An initial trial of this lias given promise of success. Tho depredations of shags and eels continue to be a menace to effeetivo stocking of rivers with fry and yearlings In this connection all members, and particularly anglers, aro invited to take an active interest. Tho report proceeds to deal with what angling has been done on various rivers in Otago, ami continued: The outcome of this work (Government Irrigation dam at Wedderbuni) is tho creation of a fine sheet of water about miles long by three-quarters of a mile wide; depth, 66ft at tho dam and 30ft deep four miles back holding on average about 63,000,000,C00 gallons, with a capacity when full of 120,000.000.000 gallons. On October 17 1 ■.it yorur council allocated 1000 rainbow yearlings, which were liberated in good condition by Ranger Pellett. Ranger Pellett on a recent visit saw the rainbow rising to the fly. In last year's report your council intimated the probability of an open season for quinnat being arranged by the Government for this year. This has been done for a period commencing January 15 and ending April 15. The period was subsequently extended to May 10- The state of tho Waitaki throughout the salmon fishing season has proved exceedingly disappointing, the river having continued too high to permit of vantage points being approached. Grey duck have benefited by the favourable seasonable conditions for breeding, and are numerous throughout the district. In this direction the sanctuaries provided for their protection are proving most beneficial. In Paradise duck there has been a manifest increase in numbers which," from time to has given rise to complaints from settlers of damage to tcrnip and cereal crops. In view of this the Government has this year opened a shooting season of one month, from May 1 to May 31. Twenty-eight stalkers visited the Hunter Valley and Makarora district this season (1918). Good weather was experienced ana stags were numerous. As a rule good average heads were obtained. This herd bears the palm of being the finest herd of Scottish blood at present existing in tho world. Tho red deer in tho Lindis and Morven Hills district aro still far too numerous, and for that reason suffering deterioration in quality. r J his year your oouncil opened a season from April 1 to May 20 for the Upper Pomahaka district for red deer, with right to take three heads per license. • On the wholo. though deer were not numerous, fair sport was obtained, the weather being good. As to fallow deer the report states that 26 stalkers visited the Blue Mountain district this season, but nothing special in the way of deer heads was obtained. The oouncil was still trying for legislation for a close season for opossums.