SPORT IN THE AHURIRI RIVER DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 88

SPORT IN THE AHURIRI RIVER DISTRICT.

IN THE yALLEY iOF THE "ANGRY -WIND."o,a ;. K \ if.^U . ~t n By R. E. Clottsto:*. • In the month of October the writer received an invitation from ; two local sports, Me?srs T. M'Gill and T. Logan, to accomi pany them on a fishing expedition to the ] head waters of the Waitaki,~and, although I I am not an expert angler, I decided to ! avail myself of the opportunity of seeing f the country in and around the head waters of the beautiful Ahuriri River, in the Omarama country, which lies to the east of Lake Hawea, and so proceeded to Kurow, via Oamaru, joining my friends en route. It was our intention to push oil to the Ahuriri on the following day ; but it rained so hard during the night that all the sin all streams came down in flood, and we we-re obliged to stay in Kurow for several days. However, we managed to crawl out now and again between the showers and essay a littlo hare-shooting. This, combined with trout-fishing in the Hakataramea Stream, passed the time away very pleasantly. "We had arrived at Kurow on a Tuesday, and on Friday the weather cleared and appeared likely to continue fine for some- days, co we ventured out on our journey to the Ahuriri, and, leaving Kurow^at 9 a.m. behind oneof Mr T. Munrd's Uest pairs, we travelled on to the Otematata accommodation-hopse, where we put up for the night. I believe some splendid fishing is to be had a few minutes' walk from the hotel, but we did not try the river, being obliged to make an early start for the Ahuriri, some 10 mites, distant, and we reached our destination at nocn of the day after leaving Kurow. We decided to camp on Whitechapel Flat. — a snug littlo corner in the bend of the river, well sheltered from, all winds, and provided with an abundance of fir&wood and spring water. It was well we did camp there, for it was about the only place along the river where our tents would escape the hurricanelike winds which roar down that valley. The name Ahurriri is an appropriate one, meaning, literally, " angry wind." From our camp we commanded a magnificent view of the ranges overhanging Lakes Pukaki and Ohau — great, majestic white and azure< mountains, their snowy summits generally wreathed in clouds, and their lower slopes softened and shaded by the peculiar blue atmosphere. We could see as far over as Tasman Range, with its fine glaciers, and a'so catch the glint of the solid ice of the Franz Joseph Glacier. The Ahuriri ie probably one of the finest trout streams in the colony, but it is very poorly stocked. The fish, though not numerous, were in splendid condition, and were veiy seldom below 6!b weight, ranging up to 121b, and closely resembling the true salmon. There seemed to be an abxmdanee of. food in the river, and I cannot account for the absence of smaller fish., unless the shags are responsible. Thcee voracious birds were not numerous, but as it was the laying season it is probable there were greater numbers of them there than we imagined. There are numerous smaller streams running into the Ahuriri, which, if stocked, would afford splendid fly fishing. We were not in camp many days before trout was a portion of our bill of fare. On the second day's fishing !Mr Logan killed two splendid female fish, turning the scale at 91b each, both in perfect condition and sea-run. On one occasion Mr M'Gill took from the river, with artificial bait, six fish, weighing 42£lb, in two hours. The fish rose very readily, and seldom missed the lure. Huge black eels abound in countless numbers, and probably they have taken many of the younger trout. Another bag secured by Mr M'Gill in a morning's fishing was six fish totalling 261b. Very fewv days passed without one of the party being successful. The river was in perfect fishing order, and in most places it was possible to wado it. The low grassy banks made it accessible to the angler, and there arc no dangerous places to negotiate. The only clanger met with was a vicious polled Angus bull, which on one occasion gave chase to the writPr and raided him to do a record sprint. I think I broke all records for the mile then, and I had to perch on a high bank and throw stones at the bull Below for two hours before he consented to wander off in search of fresh quarry. On© fine sunny morning- we witnessed an exciting race between a. rabbiter on horseback and the notorious old cannibal. The rider took to the rivpr after a hard cross-country run, but the. bull would not face- the water jump. THE BIRD LIFE. I think if one were to tour the whole of New Zealand he would not come across «o many fine birds as are to be found at the Ahuriri rearing their youag. Duek 5 were especially numerous, and' there were paradise, grey, teal, blue montain, and spoonbill ducks there. It was indeed most interesting to watch the tactics of the mother birds in tho endeavour to shield their young from the hawks. Hundreds of young ducks could be seen swimming about in the small lagoons near the river. A great many sea birds also visit this district during 1 nesting season. Perhaps a short description of some

lof the most conspicuous birds may be of < interest. The redbill, notwithstanding its I ungainly form, is a most attractive bird, i with its strongly -contrasted black and whi'.e ■ plumage and its bright red feet and bill,

and it could be seen sedately reposing on j-.^>ne leg on the sandy beaches or nimbly Running to and fro in search of its prey at the edge of the water. During the nuptial season it is a curious spectacle to watch the, male bird paying most elaborate attentions to the lady of his choice. Elevating his back and lowering his head, he struts or runs around her, uttering a loud quivering note, no doubt expressing undying attachment, and when there are two rival males thus performing in circles around the same shrine of beauty the object of adoration remains most supremely indifferent until she at last fixes her affections upon one suitor, and then, if not for life, the pair are at least faithful to each other long after the breeding; season. The paradise duck, really of the anser species, i-3 a fine bird, but not so wary as the other ducks. The fema'es usually lay about nine eggs, and generally hatch them all out, .but rarely bring up more than from three to five young to full-grown ducks. The bird commonly called a sea swallow visits this ! district in very large numbers during the i breeding season. They are very beautiful ; birds, and their aerial movements are something worth seeing. They usually alight on , the sandy beaches near the water's edge, and always stand facing the wind. When disturbed they rise almost simultaneously into the air, and flit about, crossing and recrossing their tracks in great confusion, and uttering 1 a low twitfcerincr cry, continuing: round the spot for some time. We found manj' of their nests, containing three eggs each, placed right out in the open, and exposed to sun and r&.in. An interesting spectacle is afforded! when a sparrow-hawk appears near the nesting-ground, as the whole flock will rise and attack the larger bird, darting around him like bees, until he is glad to beat a hasty retreat. The dottrel is also very numerous in that district, and it is one of the wariest of birds. Generally it frequents the low flats near the river, and its peculiar decoy stratagems in the «ndeavour to attract an intruder away from the nesting-place are interesting studies in themselves. Other birds common in the locality are the blue and pied stilts, bitterns (now very rare in the lower country), and the pukaki. The seagulls also breed along the riverbed. We witnessed many a battle royal between the moie peace-lov-ing birds and the birds of prey, and on one occasion we saw a seagull carry off a young hawk. Bunny continues to hold his own despite the numerous weasels and sToats in the riverbed. These pests cause great hevoc amongst the feathered game. The Ahoviri River, while somewhat uncertain, is. nevertheless, on the whole a splendid fishing river, and the fisherman who visits it may be sure of some good sport.