BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 34

BANK NOTES.

Intending contestants are reminded that entries for the Boxing Day fly competition on the Waipahi close on the 22nd. The entrance fee Is 2s 6d.

Very good accounts are coming in from the Waika'a disbtict. The streams are all full of fish this year, and baskets of 301b to 401b of trout are of frequent occurrence. Last year the local anglers killed numbers of shags, no less tban 40 large and six small birds being killed on one expedition. This no doubt will account for the large increase of trout in the streams in this district. Tlr's season another raid was made on the=e poachers of trout, and a great many mere were killed ; so that anglers can look forward to good seasons for many yfii's to c mis if they keep killing off the birds in this way.

Otago anglers are reminded of the Acclimatisation Society's fly competition on the Waipahi. An Arrowtown correspondent writes: — "We have nob much fishing ground round here, but I take out a license every year notwithstanding this. lam getting good baskets, but the fish are very small. 1 shall probably take a trip to the Kawarau occasionally, as it is said that there are some big ones there. I shall hava a try next week and see what it is like." The Witness Ma Bank correspondent writes : • — "Acglera are having good sport in the Waimatuku. The upper part of the river is well stocked with trout, and many are following the gentle art. Mr D ivid Henderson holds the lead, having secui ed 104 for the season, averaging some 2lb each. Mr J. Smith caught 14 fish in one day. Others also are <loing well." I learn from Canterbury that at the RaDgitata Messrs Hayhurst and Nicholas on Thurs- . day landed eight fish scaling 55£lb, one of these weighed only l-£!b, while the heaviest was 15lb. •On another occasion Mra Hayhurst took six fish weighing 42£lb, Mr Hayhursfc six fich 411b, and Mr Nicholas three fish 18£1 b. A young lady who accompanied them landed her first fish, . 4-^lb, in less than half an hour. A Central Otago correspondent writes : — "Fish this season promise to be plentiful, especially in the M. and E. and Scandinavian dams and the Dunstan creek. The Manuherikia ,;s somewhat unfit to fish owing to debris and

tailings discharged from a claim above the falls. Mr King was the first to meet with success by killing a fine - conditioned trout of about 1-J.lb in the Scandinavian dam with the much despised worm. Our next catch was by Mr M'Connochie, who succeeded in killing a beautifully-conditioned fish of 2-£lb, and also a few others from lib to 21b, all with the fly and maggot. Mr C. W. Armour was successful in killing two handsome trout, both 21b each, with the same lure as used by Mr M'Connochie, in the Scandinavian dam. Last, but not least, comes the champion of the season, Mr Cowan, who caught a beauty weighing a good 41b, caught with the white creeper in the Dunstan creek, the fish keeping him employed for over 20 minutes. Mr Cowan's catch was exhibited in ' Uncle's,' and has caused any amount of enthusiasm among the angling fraternity. Several fish of larger size have been seen in the Dunstan creek, and as we only go out for about an hour after tea, I hope soon to have another report." A basket of six very fine trout is being sent in a frozen state from Christchurch to England. The six weighed a total of 481b, and were the pick of 10 fish caught at the mouth of the Rangitata by Messrs Shury, B. Simpson, Black, and Upton. Two out of the 10 weighed 101b each, one 41b, and the other seven averaged between 71b and 81b each.

While fishing off the New Brighton pier, Canterbury, Captain Owles succeeded in capturing a hapuka weighing 581b.

Tuesday's Oamaru Mail says : — " DuriDg the past two or three days good sport has been the order of the day for anglers at the Waitalri. Mr C. Swinard killed 12 splendid fish, having an aggregate of 81^lb. Mr J. Milligan also secured a like number, the united weight being 71£lb. Mr John Mitchell returned to town yesterday with six nice trout, and although we have not heard of Mr Peter Dandies take, we believe he was amply rewarded during his few days' stay at the river last week. Mr John Burns last week killed 12lb of trout in the Oamaru creek, and several other small takes have been made. . The fiah pond in the gardens has been declared open, bub owing to the surface being covered with weed, there is very little chance of getting any sport with the perch and tench. We hope that the society will lose no time in getting the pond put into fishable condition, in order that those who have taken out perch and tench licenses may get a little sport for their outlay."