TROUT STREAMS IN OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1959, 10 September 1891, Page 29

TROUT STREAMS IN OTAGO.

Jock Sconv-Dear Sir: Yon would greatly oblige young anglers by from time to time publishing information to guide them in their choice of streams. If yon could furnish a list of all the trout streams in Otago, with particulars regarding the best bait for each during each month, and also point out what parts of tho water afforded the best fishing, you would do much to popularise the sport. It is due to license holders that the Acclimatisation Society should give all pbssible information^ and I am sure settlers in every part of the province would be found able and williDg to give useful hints. My own knowledge is limited, but lest there should be some who know even less than myself I give you the sum of my angling experiences.

I think this fish is most numerous in Tuakifcofco Lake. Readers will remember that last year the Willocks brothers (3) caught 170 iv this lake during one day. I myself have caught great numbers in Morrison's creek, which runs from Lake Tuakitbto to Lake Kaitangata. Tho lakes are very shallow, and when on the hot summer days the water becomes heated the perch go in shoals to the cooler waters of the creek. They also go up Fraser'a creek -at Lovell's Flat. In the lake the best bait is a gold or silver coloured minnow, in Fraser'a creek a white caterpillar-like grab, and in Morrison's creek a big red worm. Perch may also be found in lagoons at Greytown, Out ram, Stirling, Tomahawk, and between Kaitangata and Wangaloa, Residents at Lovell's Flat and Stirling say that perch fishing should be free, as the fish increase so rapidly as to 'starve out the trout.

I have fished -the Leith, Lindsay's creek, Waitati, Silv'erstreara, Fulton's ordek, Beaumont,^ Fraser's creek, Clutha, Pnerna, Oamara, Kuriwao, Pomahaka, and Waipahi for this fish. The Leith in my opinion comes third us a fly stream, the Oamaru first, and the Kuriwao second. In former years I have had good takes in Lindsay's creek, bat did not fish it last year, as I understood that the man who leases the property prohibits fishing. The Upper Waitati is full of small fish this year. The Bilverstream is done ; if was systematically poached last year before th« season opened. Fulton's creek should be fished with the minnow f roai Thorn- ; don's down to Lake Wa'ipori, but only when it is dirty or ruffled by the wind. The Beaumont is -very little fished, and has' some good fish and plenty of broken water. The few fish left ia Eraser's creek ate the most beautiful the writer has seen, but they, are fast disappearing before the perch. The Clutha is full of large fish. It should be fished early in the season, before it becomes full of whitebait. The only bait worth using is the minnow, whitebait, blueback, or that made of a black leather-like" chrysalis case found on apple trees. Fish are becoming scarce in the Puerua, bdt those left; are mostly big fellows. The Oaniaru (Romahapa) and the Kuriwao are full of fish, and will take fly and maggot or bare fly freely. The Pomahaka is, I understand, considered by old fishers the best of Otago minnow rivers, and the Waipahi the best fly river.

If experienced anglers will offer their knowledge as freely as I have done, a big fund will be provided for the angling public— l am, &c,

J. H. P.S. — I hope the perch season will commence earlier this year than last.. I also hope that contributors will tell us where lodgings may ba had on remote streams. — J. H.

[I hope "J. H.s" interesting letter will be snpplemeated by information supplied from all parts of Otago.—J. S.]