ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 62

ANGLING.

By Jock Scott

To be a perfect fisherman you require more excellencies than are usually to be found in such a small space as is allotted to a man’s carcase.— Parker Gtlmoub. Readers are invited to contribute items of local fishing news for insertion in this column. i’or insertion in the ensuing issue they should reach Dunedin by Monday night’s mail.

BANK NOTES. While the weather was everything that could be desired for the opening of the angling season last Friday it is to ho feared that very little, and in some instances no water would bo found in the smaller rivers. The story I heard on all hands wae the Same — all small streams run practically dry. That does not, however, mean that good fishing will not be obtained later when a fall of rain is experienced, as most of our streams contain pools in which the fish will have congregated. It is from the larger streams, such as Pomahaka, Waitaki, Mataura, Waiau, Oreti, Aparima and such rivers that I expect the best baskets will be made. As an instance of trout being plentiful in some portions of the Otago Central, it was mentioned at last meofing of the Otago Acclimatisation Society’s council that one angler at Middle-march had secured 3000 fish. This, calculating that the angler fished every day consistently for six months, represents roughly 17 fish per day; a pretty fair record. No one can say that that angler did not get value for his license.

I notice from the annual report of Southland Anglers’ Club that it is intended to hold the “Triangular Competition” this season at. Wyndhani, on the upper roadies of tho Wyndham river. The following- recommendation will be placed before tho annual meeting:—(l) To make application to the Southland Acclimatisation Society for financial assistance; (2) that a sale of fish bo held on Tuesday, October 26. proceeds to .go to tho Wounded (Soldiers’ Fund; (3) that some effort be put forth to try to increase tho membership of tho club; (4) that more competitions bo held during the season as an inducement for anglers to become members of the club; (5) special appeal for good “bags” to be placed on exhibition and also ■ where advisable same to be photographed, j Mr George Sise, who is in an excellent position to offer an opinion as to tho condition of many of tho Otago and South-

land rivers in view of the amount of travelling he does, very kindly supplied me with a few remarks he had jotted down some days ago. As weather conditions have altered but little since I recorded the notes the remarks may bo taken to bo applied to the present time. I offer what Mr Siso has to say regarding rivers south of Dunedin: Milton.—The river at Glcnoro is full of fly fish from to l-jlb, and anyone who cares for this class of fish, using a 6 to Boz rod and light tackle, should have no difficulty in talcing his limit I hear at the mouth of the Tokomaru since the river has been staked to prevent netting, the prospects are good. As the water at this part is dead and dirty a black cocoon is the best lure. Fish are often landed from 2 to 61b at this part.

Waiwera. —Is very low for this time of the year, but fish are rising very freely. The Gorge would bo well worth a visit. Last year Mr D. Hassett and self took fish up to 71b, and I never saw' better conditioned trout.

Pomahaka.—ls low'er than I have ever seen her, but plenty of fish rising. The fish in this river are never in very good condition in the early part of the season. Waipahi.—ls low, and will want a good fresh to put. her in order. There are plenty of trout to bo seen rising. Oroti, or New' River, in tidal waters gives promise of providing a record for the opening. In my seven years’ experience on this river I have never seen the fish so plentiful as this season, at this time of the year. Anglers who are fond of minnow fishing or boat trawling would be well repaid by paying this river a visit. Aparima.—Have not been on this river, but reports are all to the effect that prospects are good. Makarewa.—Plenty of good fish to be seen. I think this river yields a better average of fish than any river in'the .South I know of. The live bully or minnow is the most deadly lure, and later on in the season good bags should be got with the salmon fly. Air D. Cooke was on the Waikouaiti River on the Ist, and secured 2 fish each weighing Iglb. He fished the upper paid of the river, which is reported to be exceptionally low. The largest catch made on the Shag river, so far as can be ascertained, consisted of 15 fish, the heaviest fish weighing Iglb. An angler fishing the Contour Channel secured 15 fish, but all were small. The Tomahawk lagoon afforded fair sport on the opening day, one angler obtaining a 5-pounder, a Sj-poundor, and a number of smaller fish. The Kakanui and the Waitaki. —The North Otago Times says: —“With an unfavourable wind to contend against along the Kakanui and Waitaki rivers, anglers secured only small average baskets during the week-end. The fish at the Waitaki wore ‘ taking ’ extremely well, and under ordinary circumstances good catches should have been recorded. The Kakanui is low at the present time, and in the opinion of many fishermen will not provide the quality of fly-fishing this season that it has done in previous years.” The Waimatc Advertiser says:—“The trout season opened on Friday with good water in both rivers. Reports from the Waitaki show plenty of fish, but small. In the Waihao fly-fishing is said to have proved very successful.”

South Otago streams. —The Mataura Ensign of the 2nd inst., writes as follows: “The disciples of Izaak Walton commenced the season's operations yesterday. The weather was fine, but the various streams, although clear, were not in good fishing condition. The whole of the district streams are low at present on account of the prolonged spell of dry weather, and the fish caught were on the small side. Mr J. Beattie secured a nice basket of 19, Mr D. Collett and his companion secured 39 very nice fish in the Otamita, and Mr Turnbull, (of Arthurton) landed 15 in the Pomahaka. There were not as many fishermen out yesterday as is usual on the opening day, and several went prepared to spend the weekend on the Waipahi and Kaiwcra Streams.” Canterbury rivers.—An angler in conversation with a representative of the Timaru Post said that the state of the fly rivers was awful— low water, weed and slime, and. “such little fish !” He had fished from daylight till 10 a.m. for five, the biggest half-a-pound. Other reports by other anglers were on similar lines, email takes, cold weather and low water. These remarks apply more nartioularly to the anglers who tried tho Opihi from the Arowhenua to the sea. From the bridges to Raincliff tho news was better, one angler getting 22 fish “about the Point, the best 2ilb,” The condition of tho trout generally was fair to good. Hearsay news from Rangitata reports very good sport, and much better is expected when tho nor’weeters blow themselves out. As to the smaller rivers there will be no change for tho bettor till tho long-delayed rain falls, the beds get a good scour, and the bars are kept clear to let the trout run in. (Stranded trout. —The Tapanui Courier of September 29 says:—“Some very largo trout have been found this season on the beaches and in the small streams, A few have scaled iip to 201 b. and one measured 39 inches la length and 21 inches in girth. The strand!-

Lng of the big fish Is T»*obably accounted for by the low river all season preventing them returning to sea after spawning, as most of the trout found were in good condi~tion. Tapanui Anglers’ Association. —The report of this association presented and adopted at the annual meeting held recently, states, inter alia; —“The Upper Pomahaka, although it has not recovered frilly from its depletion of large fish during the hot summers of three and four years back, is gradually improving, and some very fine fish were taken during the season. The coming year should provide something like the sport to be obtained five years ago in the Spylaw reaches, when five and six pound, fish in the pink of condition rewarded the visitor. The Waipahi received some attention from local anglers at the beginning of the season, but most preferred the local river when in condition.