BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1894, 22 May 1890, Page 29

BANK NOTES.

Inland Soles.— While fishing in the Black Oleugh a few days ago Mr J. Tyson landed a splandid pair of soles in prime condition, and evidently none the worse for their long pilgrimage from tbe sea. Soles are exclusively salt water fish, and their presence in the Black Cleugh, so many miles inland, is a revelation to most anglers. The Apakima Salmon.— lt may not be generally known, but it ißjconfidently'believed, that the young salmon that were in the head waters of tho Aparima, following the instincts of the fish, have Bought the salt water, and it is to be hoped that with the first fresh we may ace many of them return to the river. Trout. — The name trout is derived from a word meaning to eat, just as salmon from one meaning to leap. Salmon in the Highlands, — From some old Celtic belief lingering among the Highlands, a salmon fish is never spoken of by gillies and fishermen there as a salmon ; it is always par excellence a "fish," or more frequently a " fuch." They would look grave and uneasy did an angler under their charge speak of taking a " salmon." That the salmon was of importance in Celtic times emerges from the curioui legend of St. Kentis?ern, "The Salmon and the Ring," the remembrance of whioh lingers in the armorial bearings of Glaßgow, The town of Larnark and University College, Aberdeen, also bear salmon in their arms Walton deems the blackish spots with which salmon are marked "an addition of natural beauty suoh as I think was never given to any woman by the artificial paint or patches in which they so much pride themselves," The Apabima.— The Western Star says :— " There is reason to believe that netting is still being carried on clandestinely in the estuary. That it is the duty of every right minded citizen to discountenance this and give information, if in his power, to lead to the detection of those engaged in the work, goes without saying. _ Apart from the fact that Government have paid compensation to remove any feeling of hardship that might be entertained at the prohibition, the salmon returning from the salt water may at any time make their appearance in the river." Anchovies at Dbal and Dover,— The fishermen at Deal and Dover lately caught in their eprat nets a description of small fish which was entirely strange to them ; bat instead of seeking to know what manner of fish they were, they promptly settled the question by throwing them overboard. These fish were anchovies, and their market value is 70s per 1000. It is not the first time that the anchovy, which is generally regarded as a Mediterranean fish, has visited our coasts ; and one observer records that he saw 150,000 captured on the Cornish coast in 1871. But it would seem that tbo visits of the valuable little fish are too few and far between to encourage any hope that a permanent trade in anchovies could be established here, Although most abundant in the Mediterranean, it is taken in large numbers on the Atlantio coasts of France, Spain, and Portugal, and also finds its way to the south-west coast of Norway. New Zealand Trout at Home. — By the Brindisi mail, Mr G. M. Marshall, seoretary of the Otago Anglers' Association, received word of the safe arrival per Fifeshire of the box of trout he Bent to Mr John Anderson, of Denham Green, Edinburgh. These trout were all caught in the Lee stream, and were very fine speoimens. Needless to say they were highly appreciated by those who were fortunate enough to get them. Strengthening the Wings ob 1 Natural Flies.— Fly makers are advanoing with the times. Mr J. Richardson, of Notting Hill, London W. , has just brought out an invention for preserving, strengthening, and waterproofing the natural wings of insects to perfection for the purpose of utilising the same in the manufacture of artificial flies. By this patented process the wings are strengthened to such an extent that they will be found to be stronger than feathers. This fact should be well borne in mind, as many are deterred from giving these flies a trial owing to the natural wings of insects hardly allowing their being touched without falling to pieces, which is obviated by this patented process. These flies are guaranteed to stand more usage than any artificial fly ever made. This marvellous strength is obtained without perceptibly deviating from their natural and original appearance. The following are some of the advantages claimed by those using those life-lika artificial flies :—: — The wings have a more natural cock ; they dry more quickly, being waterproof ; will not kink the line ; thoroughly flexible ; considerably more life-like than any other flies made. The wings are put on in such a manner as to prevent their drawing out. The wings being transparent throw a light over tha whole of the fly — manifestly a considerable advantage. The moth will not attack th9m. This invention will be found a great acquisition to those requiring flies to imitate those found on any river, who do not mind taking the trouble to procure the aquatic insects which the fish are found to be taking, can havo the wings used, and the bodies, &c, correctly imitated, THE SoUTHLANn SOOIETY AND THE APARIMA. — The following paragraph is from the annual report of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, read at the annual meeting on Saturday last : — " A considerable number of large trout have been met with in the lower parts of the Aparima river, no doubt the result of placing trout fry in streams communicating with the river. The attention of the society has beenjdirected to someiinstances of poaching in this river, and steps have been taken to put a stop to the practice. As it was considered that legitimate trout fishing acted as the best protection against poaching, the question of opening the river for trout fishing only was brought before the notice of the Government, but they do not at present appear disposed to entertain it. It does not appear, however, that the presence of these trout will very materially affect the question of salmon acclimatisation. It is rather to be feared that the salmon's greatest enemies are met with in the sea, and perseverance in the work of the acclimatisation is requisite for overcoming this difficulty, and the necessity for such continued perseverance shonld, in the opinion of .the council, be pointed out to the Government with tho view to their obtaining further shipments of salmon ova. As regards trout distribution, 100,000 ova were obtained by Mr Donald M'Kay in the Oreti river, and 90,000 at Queenstown. From these ova, which ocoupied all the available hatching accommodation, 113,000 healthy trout fry were obtained and distributed in rivers and streams, and in Te Anau lake." The following is a copy of the curator's report of the 27th March last with regard to the salmon and trout : — <: I hava to report that all the salmon fry are now liberated, and I am happy to state that

the loss in doing so lias been merely fractional, owing in a great measure to the healthy and vigorous condition of the fish. The number of young salmon was fully 85,000, which I hope you will consider a satisfactory result. They have beon distributed over nine different tributaries of the Aparima, and I have no doubt will do well in their new quarters. All the trout fry of this season's hatching have also been turned out, a large number of them having been successfully distributed by Mr M'Kay. There waa, as usual, a very large losb in tho ova from Qaeenstown, but the young fish that survived excelled all the others in rate of growth and vigour."