ANGLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20586, 8 December 1928, Page 10

ANGLING.

CONDITIONS IN SOUTH CANTER- ! BURY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) T.EMUKA, December 7. As the holiday season approaches, and the evenings have lengthened, the number of anglers to be seen on the. fishing streams of South Canterbury increase, and what is equally pleasing and important the supply Of fish keeps up; in fact, if one were to believe some of the reports that come to hand, they would have to be convinced that the lakeable fish were actually becoming more plentiful. The number of fishable streams has also inereaeed since the opening of 'the season, and this is especially so in the northern rivers of South Canterbury.

The Rangitota and its tributaries’have now become- fit for fishing since the volume of water has decreased, due to the bulk of the snow having melted from the ranges. Those who have fished this stream during- the past two weeks are very pleased with the results obtained. Fish would appear to be plentiful from the mouth upwards, but the .best fish ore being taken from the lower waters; not only are they the biggest, but they are the best conditioned trout. Fish from 41b to 51b in weight are quite common, but trout turning the scale at 61b are being caught regularly, mostly with the fiy. , . The Orari is now one of the popular rivers for anglers, especially for fly fishers, and as many as 20 fish have been taken in an afternoon with one rod. Baskets of from 12 to 18 fish’ are quite common. This stream is providing better sport now than it has done for some time. The Teniuka and Waihi Streams are giving good sport, and both are being' well patronised by anglers, . Here also the fly is the popular and most successful lure, although less experienced anglers are tempted to use the creeper and the

worm. Old hands, however, rarely, if over depart from the artificial bait. The fish in both of these streams are small, but an occasional three or four-poupder is tempted to rise to the fly. . Baskets of nine and ten,'and up to 16 fish are by : no means uncommon for an evening’s fifth--ing, especially for those who know tht streams« - - - •

The OpiLi has been rather • high of for fly-fishipg, especially in . the’ vicinity ef Hanging Rock and higher up, nevertheless, anglers report good catches, although the fish> ai'C mostly OB the emajl side, 1 In the lower 'Waters conditions are different, and fish of from 41b to 61b are being caught regularly. l So for, net many big fish have been tempted with any fprm pf bait; but regular patrons oi these waterrare hopeful that the "big fellows" will come up before Jong. It is known that they are on the coe(St, and are apparently; finding their why into fishermen'* nets. ' ’ ;■ y '

In the upper waters of the To JTgawai anglers continue to get eight, ten and; 12 fish in the course pf an afternoon,, or evening. The trcht are somewhat smaller than usual and this..is difficult to account. for. ■ However, some knights of the rod ' have caught, and continue tocatoli,,fiah : °l 2Jlb weight, but these are the exception. Prior to discoloration of the water*, '' due to heavy rains, the' fly fishing was good, but it ;fs not now so productive of heavy baskets! It is expected' that tho week-end will see an improvement in thb 1 respect. . 1 - ’ The Pareora is still fishing well, and' the recent 1 freshes have cleared thia stream of weeds and slime .and made It more easily patrolled.. Troiit are still plentiful, and the regular patrons of the stream would appear to have nodifficUlfcy in getting the limit which their license permits. ... , ’