THE ANGLING SEASON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 12

THE ANGLING SEASON.

OPENING TO-DAY. PROSPECTS GENERALLY GOOD. _ For some time past those sportsmen who choose as their summer recreation the luring of freshwater fish from the streams and lakes have been busy preparing their tackle and the long-awaited day of the opening of the. season has now arrived. Unfortunately, the first of the month falls in midweek this year, so only the chosen few will be able to take advantage of the opening day to fish, but, should the weather be favourable at the week-end, there is no doubt that every water within a wide radius of Dunedin will have' its full share of patronage. Already, several parties have made arrangements to .go as far afield as the Pomahaka, nd it. is fa lily to be expected that the Shag will also rank among the most popular of the streams in this district. A considerable amount of restocking has been done by the Otago Acclimatisation Society in preparation for the activities of the new season, and most of the waters should be found to contain plenty of fish. Reports on the condition .of the various waters as far as angling is concerned are usually somewhat unreliable-at this time, as there is no satisfactory means of telling how a water .will fish except by fishing it. However, the indications, on the whole, give promise of a good opening. The weather at present is a little cold and there is snow water running in many of the streams, and both these factors will militate against successful angling. Should the weather improve early, however, there is no reason why good sport should not be obtained at the week-end. About three weeks ago all the streams in the Clutha county were running very low, but later reports indicate that there has since been considerable improvement in this direction, and the majority of these waters are now stated to be in excellent fly fishing order. Undoubtedly, the Pomahaka will again be one of the most popular streams with Dunedin sportsmen, and it is reported that this water is now ready to be fisned. There are plenty of good trout in the stream and conditions generally indicate that it should provide excellent sport from the commencement of the season. The M'Lennan, Gatlins, Owaka, and Waipabi are also said to be in the best of condition. It has been said of the Gatlins that it is not now as good as it was some years ago, yet anglers who bad paid frequent visits there last season stated that it was at least one of the best fly fishing streams in the South Island. The Gatlins is expected to be productive of excellent angling, especially in the early part of the season. Last year the Waipabi was low for the greater part of the season, and anglersfound it was very weedy. Eels were also a decided mefiace. It is understood that both these faults are less prominent this season and the water is said to be in the best of condition.. " Though the Owaka did not give good resuits during last season, the prospects for the coming months are said to be good. The Clutha River is still on the low side, and it is difficult to say just how this water will fish until it has been tried. The opinion has been expressed that good results should be obtained from Clydevale to the mouth, hut it is well known that this is an unusually “ moody " river, and, as has been said, only experience will show how much success will greet the anglers- who patronise the Clutha. , The streams as far north as Timaru are reported to. be all in good order. A traveller who came down from Christchurch last Saturday stated from his own observations that the Waitaki, Kakanui, and Shag all appeared to give good promise. The Rakaia and the Rangitata wore both very clear and were running rather low. The Kakanui at Maheno was then rather dirty for fly fishing, but there was plenty of water,. and, given better weather in the meantime, he considered that the stream should be in good condition for the opening. The Shag is. reported from several quarters to. be" in very good order. Slight discolouration was noticed at the weekend, but this will probably have cleared away by now. . The Waitahuna and Glenore Streams are both said to give good promise, fish having been rising during the past few days. Unless the cold weather spoils the sport the Tomahawk Lagoon should be one of the most popular of the near-by waters during the early part of the season. It is well stocked, and the sport should be good. , The Contour channel is more or less an unknown quantity. It usually gives good results in the first month or > so, and it is quite likely that this will be the case this seneon. The Waipori Stream is not usually good until later in. the season, and it is generally considered that this will he the case this season. Last year excellent were obtained by fishing at night with the minnow or a large fly on Lake Mahinerangi. It is stated that there is a good supply of fish in the dam at present, and the prospects are good. The Glenomaru and Puerua Streams, though small, are usually productive of good sport, and present indications are that they will again merit patronage. The Ahnriri and Omarama Streams yielded some excellent catches last season, and it is anticipated that they will again be-popular with North Otago anglers. - , . Leith and "Waitati Streams are looking surprisingly well considering the damage done by the flood last year. Both streams are well stocked, and they and Sullivan dam, will probably be ’ well fashed until the week-end by those who arc unable to go farther afield. Anglers will find a wide range of useful ideas for their convenience and comfort embodied in wading vests and jackets, fishing coats, bags, rod covers, camp stoves, camp beds, ground sheets, luggage covers, light-weight tents from 4*lb .CaU or write Alexr. Thompson and Son, s Ltd., 253 Princes street.—Advt,