ANGLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23340, 4 November 1937, Page 4

ANGLING

By Dry Fly

COMPETITIONS November 6.—Waipahi; bare fly; open to Otago licence holders; hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. November 13.—Tomahawk Lagoon; any bait; hours 3 p.m. till midnight December 4.—Waikouaili River; anv bait; hours 6 p.m. till midnight. February s.—Pomahaka River; any bait (anglers' outing): hours 5 pm. till midnight. February 6.—Pomahaka River; dry fly; hours 7 a.m.-3 p.m. February 26.—Shag River; bare fly; hours 5 p.m.-midnight. March 27.—Waipori River; any bait; hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; weigh in at Berwick store at 6.30 p.m. The following cups will be competed tor:—Finlayson Memorial Cup, Levido Cup, Spears Memorial Cup. Griffiths Cup In conjunction with the Pomahaka River outing, an eeling competition will be held. • TAIERI COMPETITION The Taieri Anglers' Club held its Labour Day competition on the Taieri River, the baskets being very disappointing. Mr P. Ralston proved the winner with three fish weighing 21b lsoz. Mr A. E. Thomson was second with four fish weighing 21b 4oz, and Mr W. Ritchie was third with four fish weighing 21b 6oz. EELS IN CATLINS The number and size of the eels seen in the Catlins River while fishing there at the week-end were remarked upon the other day by a Dunedm angler. He said he had seen a number of exceptionally big eels as well as numerous small ones, and had taken some trouble to catch a few. ; While fishing near a pool, he. saw one of the largest eels he had ever come across. It was of considerable length, and was particularly large headed. When seen it had in its mouth a trout estimated at about ljlb and was making quietly towards the bank, there, in all probability, to enjoy its meal in peace. The angler and his friend both waded out towards the eel, which adopted a policy of watching carefully without making any strenuous efforts to escape, and merely allowed itself to drift slowly, tail first, with the current. One angler went below it, and, while the other pursued from above, attempted to net it. There was not much more than a third of its length in the net when the latter was full, and then the other angler took the head in his net. but both proved too small. Eventually, the eel had to be left to its devices for lack of some means of securing it. Another large eel caught and opened by the same anglers had the remains of four partly-digested trout inside.

THE FEEDING PROBLEM The question of providing a food supply for our trout is a matter that is being considerably debated by anglers generally, some anglers being of the opinion (writes "Matuku in the Southland Times), that the reason for the decline in our fishing is the lack or depletion of the trout's food supply. Many methods to overcome this difficulty have been suggested, one of them being to provide electric light over the fishing ponds and thus attract the insects which fall into the water and feed the fish, as the following extract explains:— " When Nature fails to provide, manmade science can often be relied upon to meet the emergency. "Out in Kansas, where there isn't a lot of fishing water, the State is meeting anglers* needs with artificial lakes, equipped with hatcheries to. provide fish as they are needed. Lake Shawnee, located near Topeka, is a typical example of such man-made fishing retreats. On a hillside not far away a model hatchery has been built, and its 11 rearing ponds are so situated that they can be drained directly into the lake without the finger lings being handled. Present plans call for a production of about 600,000 fish each year. " The food problem attending this big production is met cheaply during the summer months. The rearing pools are equipped with lights which attract swarms of insects at night, and the fingerlings can gorge themselves on food which doesn't cost a nickel. This electric light plan has already proved its worth as far as fish growth is concerned. More than 16,000 black bass, placed in the ponds last summer when they were but two inches long, had attained a growth of six inches by the end of October. " The Kansas plan is not only proving practical; it is psychologically unique What more could an angler ask than to sit out in a boat on some lake, in sight of a hatchery, and know that there are a few thousand fish to be had simply by opening a flood gate! "As in the case of Kansas, there are other States where the natural supplies of fish and fishable waters are not meeting the demands put upon them by an ever-increasing army of anglers. The only solution to this problem is to provide more places for fishing and to keep them stocked enough to satisfy the people who use them."

VISIT TO MAKARORA Pembroke. Lake Wanaka, Hawea, Makarora. What a host of pleasant memories those place-names can recall to those fortunate ones who have become acquainted with their many attractions! What a treat is in store for those other fortunate ones who may intend to make their visit in the near future! Clear air, brilliant sunshine, beautiful native bush, the majestic grandeur of the snow-topped mountains and the incomparable, glorious blue of the sparkling lake waters will combine to convince the most sceptical that the finest spot in Otago for holiday-making is in the vicinity of Wanaka and Hawea. But it was not scenic attractions alone which took two Dunedin men to this spot last week-end. They were "armed to the teeth" with all the latest in fishing tackle, and their chief object was to make a descent upon the "rainbows" in the Makarora River on November 1. , To those readers already acquainted with the Makarora, let me say that they have not yet experienced its best attractions if they have not fished it with a bait-casting ■ rod and tackle. These short, springy rods are ideal for transport; they enable one to fish places where ordinary rods would be useless, and they are quite capable of holding the largest salmon. If anyone doubts that statement let him ask "Mac" at Pembroke. Any local resident will show you where "Mac" lives, and from him you will receive any information you may require relating to fishing. Many Dunedin and West Harbour folk know "Mac," too. for his name has been long connected with yachting and motor boat activities in this centre. " Mac" is a keen advocate for baitcasting. It is said he never goes out without getting a fish, and that he frequently gets fish when nobody else can. He makes his own minnows, too —casts them in beautiful little brass moulds and bores them out to accommodate the tail hooks and swivel gear. The metal he uses is an alloy similar in composition to that used in the type from which this paper is printed. After carefully filing and polishing them, "Mac" applies coloured celluloid paints, and can thus turn out a firstclass imitation of any well-known minnow, as well as some ideas of his own. The weight of these home-made specialties makes them ideal for fishing in rapid water, and if you are fortunate enough to get into "Mac's" good books, he will most likely present you with a couple. The two anglers previously mentioned had a daylight breakfast at the Pembroke Hotel, and, provided with a well-filled hamper containing everything the most exacting -fisherman could require, headed for Makarora. There is no road up the east side of Wanaka, so the first part of the journey led to Hawea via Alberttown, and then on up the west side of Lake Hawea. The bright early sunshine and the clear, bracing air madethe trip particularly enjoyable. A light south-east breeze rippled the lake and elicited from one man the comment that there had been a strong nor'-wester blowing at Pembroke. A few minutes later, topping the saddle at the neck separating the two lakes, one was treated to the sight of Wanaka far below covered with "' white horses" under a roaring nor*-west wind and Hawea just behind gently rippling under a soft south-easter. There is no accounting for the vagaries of the winds. Thirty-five miles from Pembroke is the head of Lake Wanaka, and there the Makarora pours its waters into the lake. Twelve miles further on, along the road which is being pushed onward over the Haast Pass, is Cameron Flat, where a large Public Works camp is established. A short distance further on our anglers decided to commence operations. Waders were donned—two pairs of socks, please, for the Makarora water is bitingly cold yet—and two short rods commenced flinging minnows far out across the clear water. It was not long before one hooked a fish, whereupon the other dropped his rod and rushed up, gaff at the "ready" to be in at the death. But there was no hurry. These fighting rainbow have to be tamed for quite a while before they can be dragged near enough to gaff, and they certainly take some taming. This one threw himself clean out of the water several times, and then proceeded to run along the surface on his tail, the line screaming out as the reel spun to his exertions. For 10 minutes he dashed madly about the pool, to the huge delight of the pair on the bank, only an occasional gleam of brilliant red in the depths indicating his whereabouts as he gamely battled with the singing silk line. Eventually he was brought in close enough for the final act, but at the first movement of the gaffer away he went again, apparently as fresh as ever. But he was tiring, and it was not so long till he was once more within reach of the gaff. Zzzp! And he was up in the air. securely transfixed, and carried proudly up the bank. First blood! And what a beauty! Nearly 61b and in very fair condition. By mid-day three others were keeping him company, and it was decided to "have a go" somewhere else. A couple of miles downstream a likelylooking place was noticed, and again the pair got busy. But about 3 o'clock a biting wind slipped down off the snow-clad tops, making things rather unpleasant, and so it was decided to return to the original grounds, which were comparatively sheltered. As the evening drew on conditions improved and more fine fish were added to the pile, and about 9 p.m. a couple of very tired, very cold, but very happy fishermen climbed into the car for the long run back to Pembroke. Imagine their delight, arriving well after 11 o clock, to find their jovial host not yet abed, but waiting to minister to their creature comforts. A perfect ending to a notable day.

Next morning, before returning to town, the "swag" had to be washed and packed for transport. This washing was done in a small stream which flows into the lake just below the hotel, and the fish were then packed in the silk-lined bag with plenty of mint. While the "washer," standing in his waders, was busy in the water, the "packer' 1 on the bank saw an enormous black head almost touchins the tail of the fish being cleaned, and exclaimed: "What a whopping eel!" With a leap like a jack-in-the-box the "washer" was put of the creek. Apparently he did not like eels. A subsequent search with the gaff failed to locate the monster, and there was not sufficient time for an organised attack, and so 'the eel will have to stay there "till the next time "-just like all the other "big ones that got away."