ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 58

ANGLING.

By Jock Scott.

To be a perfect fisherman you re-quire more excellencies than are usually to be found In such a small space as is allotted to a man’s carcase.— Faribr Oilmour. Readers are invited to contribute items of local fishing news for insertion in inis column. For insertion in the ensuing issue they should reach Dunedin by Monday night's mail.

BAIVK NOTES. The Puerua. —The Clutha Ireader of tho 21st inst. reports: —‘‘'Fishing on the Lower Puerua, Mr R. B. Lattimore grassed four fish which aggregated 141 b. His brother Alex, on tho opposite bank, was not so fortunate, for all he got was a sight of four disdainful fish swimming by, a good luncheon. and calm reflection on other persons’ luck.” t he Waipahi. -Three Balolutha anglers had a fair day’s sport on tho Waipahi on Saturday, getting 14 trout in all. Several of tho fish were over 21b in weight, and all were in real good condition. The pick of the baskets was a perfect beauty which turned the scales at over 61b, and was caught by Mr W. Willocks.—Clutha Leader, 21st inst. Tho Kakanui.—'The Oamaru Mail of the 24th inst. says:—“The warmer weather has been most favourable to fishermen, though a little too bright in tho absrnee of wind. The record catch to date for tho Kakanui stands to tho credit of Mr F. Townley with 144 fish, Mr Frank Rawson, with 104. being a good second. Mr C. 11. Swinard’s luck is evidently in. A week-end’s sport consisted of 16 fish of a total weight of 451 b. In another trio ho landed 27 fish of a weight of 271 b. Seventy-t\yo nounds of trout in two trips is a happy experience.” Angling About Clinton.--The Clinton correspondent of the Clutha Leader writes: — -, vf , 6 j,[J] making good use of their spare time on tho rivers, which they sort 'o be in much hotter order than they wl2 months ago. The fish are also reported to be plentiful, and. in most eases, in good condition. Mr John Reid had a good basket one day last week, landing nine fish— three about 31b each and a big beauty just on 71b.” The Upper Waitaki.—For seven visits to the Waitaki. at Kurow. Mr Jonathan Mitchell secured 4R trout. His best basket consisted of 12 fish taken one afternoon. The average weight of his total catch reached 3jlb, which is somewhat exceptional in these days of small fish. Angling Competition.—The Bruce Angling h-ld a competition on Labour Bay, fishing the Tokomairiro Stream. There , an .enforti‘"at--lv the weather was unfavourable. Until 8 o’clock thit-re was a dead calm, after which a fierce wind blew all day. Mr James Brown fWaronui) caught three trout, weighing Sjlb, and was awarded the first prize—a trophy valued at one guinea. Mr T. Moir also got one fir- 'hh. Southland Rivers.—l have to thank a correspondent for the following contribution: — “«outi.'a,r V i 'it-reama are now getting into something like fishing order suitable for the (!.. -I crime go-<1 sport is being obtained with this lure. The Oroti has a fair dash of snow water in her. but, notwithstanding, a few fish are Ircing taken on tho fly. The Jacobs is in fine trim, and good baskets should be taken from now (Saturday) until Tuesday. Monday being a holiday, numbers will no doubt turn their attention to this stream, and if (he weather proves suitable anglers should have good sport. Fishing in this stream a few days ago Mr K. M'Kcnzie secured six fish, two of which

weighed 71b each. oi Tuesday last a wellknown Nightcaps fly-fisher landed eight nice fish as the result of a few hours’ fishing. lie informs ino they were in splendid condition, and the best fighters he had met in the Jacob’s for seasons past. Good reports arc still being received of both the Otapiri and Laura, and good sport is being obtained by fly-fishers on both these streams. Mr A. F. Henderson the other day basketed 24 fish from the former stream, and a budding fly-fisher 13 years of ago—secured a nice bag in the Laura. Tiro Southland Anglers’ Club are holding their first competition of the season on Monday (Labour Day), for which good entries are being received. I hop© to be in a position to record good baskets and obtain full particulars for your notes next week.” Our Southland correspondent writes: —“Troutfishing during the past week has been fairly good, on© fish of 81b and a large number of about 31b having been taken. Fishing at Ryal Bush on Saturday a lady who has never fished before got eight fair fish with the milk worm. The red garden worm, though very successful in smaller streams, does not take any fish in the Oreti at present. Past experience has proved it to be a good bait in this river when the water is low and clear.” Canterbury.—Canterbury streams are reported to be low, and a good fresh is much needed. Good baskets are being got from th© Hae-te-moana, and rivers from Winchester downwards are well stocked. The Kakahu has been much too low for angling, though it contains plenty of trout. The best fly-fiehing is to bo got on thc,Opihi. Good sport has been met with at the mouths of the Rangitata and the Rakaia. The flies in general use, 'where fly is used, are the variety known as “Pollock’s Poachers.”

A Good Fish From the Pa tea River.—Mr J. Brake recently landed a trout which probably constitutes a record for weight this seasc,n in the Stratford district. The fish was in splendid condition, and weighed 6jlb. It was taken from the Patea River, in the vicinity of Skinner road.

Distribution of Fry.—At a recent meeting of the Southland Acclimatisation Society the president, Mr W. A. Stout, commented on the fact that it was reported that the Canterbury Society had this year reared 513,000 trout in its hatcheries, and placed them in the North Canterbury rivers, and be drew attention to the Southland Society’s Stock Committee’s report, which stated that almost double that number had been hatched in the Southland Society’s pools. In addition to 300,000 fry already distributed, the committee recommended the distribution of 500.000, makinq- a total of 800.000 fry.