BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2653, 18 January 1905, Page 59

BANK NOTES.

The Owaka and the Catlins. — Good as have been the few reports I have had during the season concerning fishing in the Owaka River I was somewhat disappointed over the result of a visit I paid rhc stream recently ; that is, disappointed as far as basket-mak-ing — by which I do not mean the interlacing of -willow or supplejack — was concerned. I have been, fishing the Owaka with a fair degree of regyiu-ity for the past 20 y-ears now, and there is no question about the fish having^ say, during- the last ten years, beeo-oafe gradually fewer and smaller. My recent experience of a week on the .Owaka forces the conclusion upon me that the river has got to a lower stag-e than ever, and that the trout are much smaller and much scarcer than they used to' be even in recent years. This opinion S9em3 rather at variance vrith some good catches I have recorded in the angling column this season,- buf not so much at variance as might at first sight appear. "To begin with, I was told down at the Givafea that some of the returns published represented the joint ca.tch of two rods — not by one. as I was led to believe. What a pity it is people will not stick to the truth, or, afc anyrate, try to keep within measurable distance of it. I do not mindwild exaggeration, but I must say I have an abhorrence of that detestable habit some people have of doubling and trebling everyUiing. Then, again, up to the time I visited the stream it had been very much iished— it was only necessary to walk alone the banks to see that. Even in the most inaccessible places there were well-defined beaten tracks along the banks, and where the wading became extremely difficult, and the river ran through bush (I ana referring to a bit near the Scotchmau'6 Bonnet), a track had been cwb so tnat the angler could make a short detour and reach the river again. Two years ago these indications of the presence of the rodsman did not exist to any extent in the upper part of the river ; now you cannot go a yard without meeting with them. The heavy fiphing is not entirely due to visitors, | thouarh these have increased enormously in number. Local .anglers., have sprang up all over, the place, and as anglers are not of mushroom growth — once an angler always an angler — they are likely to increase rather than diminish. I have gone into detail a little over this matter, as it seems to me j (.he river will require wme nursing, and a liberal replenishing if it is to keep its reputation as a trout stream. I commend the suggestion to the Acclimatisation Society Council. As to what I did, or did not. that | can all be put into a lew lines as far as the Owaka is concerned. Eight fish was the most I r prot,for a day's fishing, of, say, five ! ho-urs ( IT am. not li&e" some of the visitors. fl'Tio, I Ji^arci. s-ipnt -reeks down there and w;>re ni'vw off th? river from pretty well daylight to dark), and none of them went very much over lib. Of several flies tiiied during the five or sis days I was there, I found the black gnat (always deadly on thf> j Owaka) and governor the most killing. I Jo not usually fail in the matters of patience and perscveianoe, but I must, own up to the fact that I found knocking over the

rabbits with the rifle, and catching eels of a night infinitely moie attractive than walking over miles of water and fishing ripple after ripple, where I had never failed to ris& fish, for practically nothing. It is a come down for "Jock Scott" to make such a shocking admission, but for once in my life I was disappointed and disgusted with a river that, to those who know it as well as I do, would always, under normal conditions, yield a- basket of 18 or 20 fish, averaging lib, for a fair day's fishing-. However, though fishing was a comparative failure, I enjoyed my stay in the Flat very much. The only really good bit of fishing I had was on Thursday last, when I went through the bush to the Catlins- River. I was in the hands of a good man in the bush, and got to the river after a, hot walk of an hour and a-half. I had been through the same way before, and have previously given some description of the route, so it is not necessary I should again do so. It is sufficient to say that where it was to a townsman a walkthrough a. trackless bush then after the bush was entered, there is now a good broad track right down to the river's edge. We were met at the river by Mr J. Jones, and while he fished the upper part of the parfci,cular portion of the Catlins fished, I lashed away lower down. Wo met at the end of about three hours, and on comparing notes, or rather baskets, found that though I had been the more successful as regards number, Jones had caught bigger fish ; so that honours were easy. I then had 11 fish, all of course larger than the small fry of the Owaka. and some perhape a trifle over 31b. Jones had bagged five, three of them being, I should estimate, about 41b. and the other two getting that way. He had lest , five others through not coming provided with a good net. The one he had had seen service, and after being used a few times an extm big fellow went through the bottom of it. and from that time Jones was in trouble whenever he hooked a fish. There were evidenrally bigger fish where he had been than there were where I had been fishing, and nothing would satisfy me until I went farther up the river to try the- same water, albeit Jones had fished it only half or threequarters of an hour before. We went together, and I rose and hooked three fish in rapid succession, in as pretty a piece of water as a man oould desire to see. The first one was ""persuaded" into the net. and made my twelfth fish, the next one Jones muddled, and it was lest, and the third I tried to net in heavy running: water, instead of taking it clown fhe river a little ■wav, and it ooiispciuent.ly broke me and remains to be caught. Shortly after thi= time was up. and_ we started back through the bush after a sDlendid day's sport. I may mention that I found the bla-cb gnat and governor quite as good as anything for the Catlins. — Jock Scott.

The Kakanui. — F. G. writes: — "This river has been very low and clear for some time, and I have not heard of any large take* being made 1 , only small fish being taken with the fly. At Christmas and New Year a large number of anglers were out, but some went home with empty baskets, while others procured medium baskets of small fish. For myself, I have fished very little thi3 season, being, unfortunately, 'in delicate health, and I. had to keep away from niy usual pastime at this season of the year. The Waitaki is yielding some fine fish, but not such large qtiantities as in former years. Till we get a good fre-sh in the streams hare I do not anticipate any large takes, as the rivers are overrun with slime, and weeds." — [I regret to hear of my friend's ill-health, and hopehe will soon be able to wield the rod as of old.-rJ. S.]

The Pomahaka, Waipahi. and Waiwera. — An exchange says fishermen have been having a pretty good time -of it during the holidays. Two Dunedinitcft (Messrs Pattison and Johnsron) got splendid baskets out of the Pomahaka, and good takes have been secured by local anglers from the. Waipahi and Waivera streams. — I have heard nothing of the doings of local anglers on the*© streams. My correspondents have forgotten mo. — J.S.

The Waiau. — A Southland exchange says : "A smart feat in the gentle art was parformed the other day .by that famous disciple of the meek 'Walton. Mr M'Kenzie, proprietor of Hondi-Lanka tea. While following his favourite pastime on the banks of the Waiau, and when at a point opposite the fishing camp, this gentleman got fast to a big fish. After an exciting run the fish was gaffed by Mr John Weston. Immediately it wa? struck by the gaff, the tackle dropped free, and" it was found that th>e •S c di had bt»pn hooked by the tail. When •weighed the fish proved to be a 14-pounder in fine- condition. Tlijs, we believe, is the largest trout taken in tbis iraimer from the Waiau, and lrat fov Mr Western's expert handling of the gaff would have got clear away.

Anglinsr about Tapanui and Competition on the Pomahaka.-7-Tbe Tapamii Courier jays : — Fishermen have been veiy busy since the fine weather set in, and good baskets are being made. The Tapanui District Anglers' Association held 2»~ gold medal competition on the Pomalmka on Wednesday last. There were, eight entries, but the weather in the morning was unpromising, and a few did not start. The river was in good order. The following weighed in soon after 6 o'clock: — T. Murray, 34 fish, weighing 211b 12oz; Georee. Hbwat. 22 fish. 131b 4oz : T. Hagen, 4 fish, 21b 14oz. Murray had to concede Hagen 33£- per cent, off, and Howat 13 1-3 per cent., this making the former's net weight 141b Boz, and the latter's 101b 15oz, last .year's winner, therefore, again takine: the medal. Messrs Murray's and Howat's baskets were a very nice lot of fish, but mostly small, very few scaling up fo 21b.

Lake Onslow. — This probably has reference to what was sent roe by my corresDondent last week: — A small party of anglers, seeivred splendid Hauls of trout in Lake Onslow. Mount Bengrer district, during the holidays. This little-known fishing ground appears to bs literally &waxming with speckled beauties, the party referred to securing 3cwt of fish during their shor^- stay. The fish were cleaned and boned, and then dried in the sun in Maori fashion, being by this method splendidly preserved.

Angling in Canterbury.— The following clippings are from various Canterbury paiiers : —

The livttel-fcon Times -says : —The mouth of the AshirdTicn River is a popular resort for answers at present. About 20 .substantial Juifcs have been erected in addition to a large brick cook-house, built by tbe County Council, and the spot is much frequented, not only by anglers, buf by their wives and families.

The Timaru Heralcl says:— The first biqr fish taken from the Lower Opihi came to gaff on Saturday night, tliajiks to thj gkill

in play by Mr T. Leggott. The trout scaled 13^ib in the boat, and wa& a very fine specimen- Now that the pilot has made his appearance, the fleet will be out nightly, and the battle of the boats should soon commence. With a good mouth to the Opihi the big fi*h should run well this moon, for news is to hand that heavy fish aro being taken at the mouth of the Rangitata and Ashburton. Thirty-five trout, averaging 71b. were killed by two fishermen last week, the best scaling 121b to 131b, at the Rangitata. The salmon fly should soon kill now, and when the Opihi clears again sport should be first clas«The Ashburto'n Mail says: — Fishing at the mouth of the Ashburton River, Messrs T. Wilson and R._ D. Johnston landed 10 fish weighing up< to 51b. Mr George Kidd was also successful" in landing several fair-sized fish. Anglers report the river in good fishing order, but there was a tremendously heavy sea on Thursday evening, the tide going up the river fully half a mile. At the mouth of the Ashburton jNlr Hbdgkins landed a fine, fish fully 81b in weight, and also several others of smaller weights. Mr J. Carney grassed 10 fish running in weight up to 3ilb, while Mr Thos, Hallitt, who has had some fine sport since the season opened (over 60 fair-sized fish), was also succeissful.

Th-e Timaru Herald says : — Splendid sport has lately been met with at Rangitata. some remarkably good takes being recorded. Messrs Stocker and Loach caught 34, averaging 61b or 71b each. Mr C. • Haar and his son caught between 15 and 18 similar sized fish late one night, and J. N. "Velvin, grassed 20 fine fish totalling 951b. while Mr N. C. Nicholas, who was with him, caught seven totalling 311b. Mr Sheldon, of Ashburton, had a good take, and Mr W. H. Brown caught a few medium-sized fish, and a beauty weighing 14£lb. All except the latter were caught on the north side of the river, near the mouth. The north bank appears to be the. favourite at present. Mr J. M. Macdonald caught 16 fish, some ranging up to 121b, and Mr Frank Brown also caught 17 of similar size.

The Ashburton Mail says : — "Very few rainbow trout have been caught in the Ashburton River, and it may be interesting to mention that the heaviest fish so far that has been landed is credited to Master Keith Rollitt, who last year succeeded in landing a five-pounder. The heaviest rainbow trout caught this season scaled 2£lb.

The Lytteltoh Times reports: — Four fine trout, two weighing I'4-lb each, and the other two 81b each, were rec-entlv caught at Hall's Creek, near Leeston, by Mr D. M. Matheson. of the Bank of New Zealand, Leeston, and Mr J. M'Connack. of Leeston.— The same paper of ths 16th inst. says : — Anglfi-s hnve enjoyed splendid sport of late in the Rangitata. and some remarkably good takes have been secured. On Saturday and Monday Messrs Sfcocker and Loach caught 3+ fish, averaging 61b or 7lb each. Messrs Haar caught between 15 and 18 similar-si^ed fish on January 7. . On Monday Mr J. N. Velvin srrassed 20 fine fish totalling 95}b, and Mr N. C. Nicholas, who was with him. caug-ht 7 totalling 311b. Mrs Sheldon, of Hinds, fishing at the mouth of the Rangitata. secured two 81b trout on Thursday evening. Four other anglers secured amongst them 45 fish, weighing from ?.lb to Sib. Lirge takes of fish. avprp.s:mor from 21b to 81b. were made at the Rangitata River on Friday by Ashburton anglers.

The North Island. — The Napier Telegraph of the 12th in«t. has the following: — 'Some wcce lent baskets of fisb were landed from Waikaremoana last week. Messrs HunterBrown and D. E. ONeill being the most sracoewful. The former gentleman had 11 fine fish to his credit for ps-rt of four days' n.«hiner. the -averaere of th« 11 beins 91b 2ioz. Mr D. E. O'Neill landed four fish for one evening's trolling, the. average being 71b lOoz. The -fish are very -nlenti+ui this season, and in condition. Part of Messrs O'Neill's and Hun±er-B.rown's "baskets were landed from the T.e Mokau and T<* Opuruahinc Rivers, on the western side of the lake. Thf r>U larmrh n>- Kohpranc-i) is now '■mmmc dnilv on +hp laV«. in charge of Driver Robb (from Auckland) . who knows h>s duty thoroughly. The road to the lake is in <*!.•» =s orr?P'\

Th« Hot Lake* Chronicle la-i-s:— D*Grant and M^ssrs MaxwpH and NsrToyi had » srood dav'* srirt-"t. f™ FotoiH. Amo-nsr some fine fish Ifinrlprl with the fly W thp party w*>* onp «■>* 134-Id secure^ hv T)r fJi-ant on s "Pili-«r "doctor." Tn all 14•fin", n=b were landed of a total weiorhi of ROlb. The total nurnKe-r secured un to th« <?+h i-!*ti. +o t'.ie c°d'4- if varans of tbe oil In--"^ 1 -. Mourea js 4-11 fish, aggregating 13481b."