SOUTH CANTERBURY FISHING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20291, 27 December 1927, Page 13

SOUTH CANTERBURY FISHING.

(From Ode, Own Correspondent.) TEMUKA, December 20. South Canterbury fishing continues to improve, and has been "providing some fine sport during tho past week. Some excellent baskets of fish have been caught in the Opihi, up to 121 b in weight, and the fly fishing has been excellent. It has been quite common to obtain 10 to 15 fish of an evening rise. A lot of those have been 41h and 51b in weight, but the average has been about fib. They have all been nice fish and in good condition. The Pnreora has gone off for fishing now owing to the low water, and there will not he so much doing there*for some time. Still occasional good fishing may be had there on odd days. The Ohape is still in good form for anglers, and the fishing there is very good. Nevertheless, the fern weed is becoming very had in the upper waters. It is beginning to flower and become tougher, and is a distinct menace to the fly fisherman. One evening this past week, however, a well-known local angler landed eight nice fish from this stream in half an hour, which is not had fishing. Quite a lot of nice baskets are being caught in the Orari lagoons, both with bait and with the fly*. The Orari is a fine stream, and is a favourite with many fishermen. Some very good catches are reported with bait, and tho fly fisherman have also been mooting with success. During the past week there has been a good run of big trout into the Rangilata. Most of these fish aro from six to 10-pounders, and fish up to Sib and 101 b are quite common. The hi;f run of salmon smelts is over. But there is exceptionally good sport to be had with kawhai fishing at the mouth of the Rangitatn. just now. These fish have been literally swarming, and have attracted a large number of anglers. Some very nice fly fishing is still to he had from the Waihi. This stream, of course, joins the Tomukn, and they have both been providing some fine fishing, averaging, perhaps, two dozen for an evening. One fisherman of tho Waihi states that it is quite common to secure anywhere from eight to 14 there of an afternoon, and all of them good fish. The water in these streams has now subsided to normal, and there is every prospect ot the holiday season providing first-class conditions for anglers throughout the district.