ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 52

ANGLING.

By

Joos Scott.

To bo a perfect fisherman yon requtrj more excellencies than are usually to be found In Buch a small space -as is allotted to a man's carcass.— Fabkeu Gilmoub. Beaders are invited to contribute items of local fishing news for insertion in this column. For insertion in the ensuing issue they should reach Dunedin by Saturday night’s mail. The Otapiri was recently reported to be low. Messrs F. Strang and T.. S. Mackie took 18 fish lately, one weighing about 2i;b escaping. Tlie Waikaka yielded well to the prowess of Mr R. Allison, of Gore. His cutch consisted of 22 fish, the average weight being about 21b. Tho Red Quill Gnat was the lure used.

A bag of 20 fish was secured by Mr J. W. Smith and Major Murphy from the New River recently. An angler took two fish from the Maka rewa River below Wallacetown weighing about 31b each. They were caught on the Red Quill Gnat. The fish are reported to be in good condition. It is reported that two anglers in the person of Messrs J. Halliday and M. Mac nlister took 14 fish from the New River in the neighbourhood of Sise’s Pool, above I<ochiel. The heaviest fish weighed 441 b, and there were a number of 21b fish included ’in the catch. They were all taken with the dry fly. “ Heckum Peckum,” in the course of an interesting article on stocking rivers, says: “ Very many cases of overstocking have occurred in New Zealand waters since trout have been introduced. The case of Lake Wakatipu may be taken as a typical example. Many years ago, when trout were first introduced into this water, they found a supply of food which had been stored up by the natural accumulation of undisturbed insect arid aquatic life which was the result of generations of reproduction in an environment which contained few natural enemies. The trout, of course, did remarkably well, and increased rapidly, both in size and numbers, and for the time the lake was ful.l of magnificent trout. Within a few years these fish had/degenerated into diseased slabs. The condition of these fish could easily be traced to one outstanding cause —failure or inadequacy of food supply. By netting the lake and removing a large number of fish, nature was assisted to restore the balance, and now the annual crop of food supply is more equal to the demands made upon it by a limited number of fish. Rivers, like pastures, produce their main crop of food in the summer, and in normal seasons fish are found to be in' better average condition-in the later months of the season. It’ is on account of this alternation of food scarcity and abundance that the life history of a salmon can be read from an examination of the scales. And it is reasonable to assume that the growth of the common brown trout will I proceed in much the same way as the I Atlantic salmon. In the summer the growth will be rapid, corresponding with' the abundant supply of food. In the winter practically no growth will take place, as not only will food be scarce, but the spawning period will place a further severe check upon the development of the fish. Brown trout are such wonderfully adaptable fellows that they may be said to have no standard size, and do differ remarkably from the members of the animal kingdom in this respect. We must assume from this that trout are by nature endowed with a wonderful faculty of adapting themselves in size to exactly suit the environment in which they find themselves placed. All these fish of various sizes will be found to be perfectly healthy and in good condition. I have watched fish spawning in the Silverstream in great numbers, and many of them would not* be over Bin in length, while some were considerably smaller; all appeared to be in perfect condition. And it is the annual custom of the Otago society to net thousands of these small fish from this stream and transfer them to-the Waipori dam, where they develop rapidly to an average size of 51b or 61b.” After quoting the father of fishermen, Izaak Walton, “ Heckum Peckum ” goes on to say: "In Southland the rivers are all stocked from the same excellent source —the Waiau watershed, and there is no better source of supply to be found anywhere in New Zealand. Yet. when the ova from these fish are planted in the various rivers the resulting fish assume a different average size in each stream. The New River fish will average from Alb to £lb, while the Mataura will produce fisli of an average weight of about 31b, the Makarewa possibly 41b, the Otapiri 11b. and the Waiau 61b or 71b. Now. it should not be difficult to discover some very good reason for this wide variation in size which is such a striking characteristic of our brown trout. There can lie no doubt that food supply is one of the chief factors determining the size to which trout will grow in any particular water. If a pasture is overstocked with sheep the fact will be clearly shown by their condition. If a river is overstocked with fish the fact will be clearly shown bv the average size of the mature fish. A few years ago the local council of the S.A.S. was asked by the anglers to give special attention to the stocking of the New River. This i equest was carried out by the .council, "■’th t’-o fb.it rmny anglers who have fished the New River this season renort that the river is full of small fish, while many consider that the river is overstocked. There can be little doubt that a continuation of the policy of stocking this river heavily would be likely to further reduce the average size of the fish to the detriment of the sport. This observation will only apply to the river in the Dipton district, as the lower reaches of the river certainly contain plenty of food for the present stock, and the fish indicate this by the fact that thev attain to a greater average weight.” [These remarks apply very much to the rivers of Otago: indeed, to most, if not all, rivers bevond the province.—J. £.]

There was a remarkable run of quinnat salmon in the Rakaia River during tho first March week-end, and several anglers secured good bags. What is considered the record catch of this fish yet taken was secured by Messrs C. I. Denby and W. B.

Berry, who landed 25 fish of a total weight of 4351 b, all in excellent condition. The biggest fish weighed 251 b. An extraordinary occurrence is reported from Picton (says “F. E. T.,” in the Fishing and Shooting Gazette), where Commander Vaughan Barnsdale, while ny fishing, noticed a lizard, which he believes is called “ togga,” basking on a rock usually covered with water. It was about Bin to 7in in length and olive coloured. Casting the fly gently (about size 14 hook), it landed pn the rock, and was instantly seized by the lizard, which was securely hooked. We have heard of eels, terns, gulls, ducks, and other living creatures being hooked with a fly or minnow, but this is the first occasion on which I have heard of a lizard being hooked. Mr C. Stewart, of Singapore, fishing from the launch Manaaki, at Russell, had a very strenuous fight, lasting Ihr 35min, with a hammerhead shark, 3651 b in weight, off Bird Rock, near Cape Brett (reports the Napier Daily Telegraph), n e i? so landed a fine swordfish weighing 2081 b. A number of swordfish were noticeable in the locality. Evidently the change of weather is bringing them about. Mr A. Rex Flinn, of U.S.A., hooked two swordfish, one of them being of considerable size, but he lost both. Other catches were those of Mr Neville Cook, a mako weighing 3141 b, Mr Ross Martin, of Auckland, a mako weighing 2041 b, and Miss Doris N. P. Branson, of Napier, a mako of 1501 b.

It took an hour’s strenuous work on the part of about 20 anglers to suppress an outbreak of fire among grass near the mouth of the Ashburton River last Sunday (states tho Guardian). The fire started, by some unknown means, in a plantation, and soon threatened a large area of grazing land owned by Mr John Brown. Several acres cf the plantation reserve were swept b.v the fire.

Some enormous eels were taken from the v> aiongona Stream between New Plymouth and Waitara recently by a Maori fisherman, Mr 11. Pratt. A catch of nine eels weighed 831 b 7oz. The two heaviest eels were about sft in length, and they turned the scale at about 201 b each. The formation of an eel club by tho Taranaki Acclimatisation Society has aroused the keen interest of fishermen. The offering of a libera] prize for the largest cel caught has been the means of encouraging fishing expeditions. The Maoris are entering keenly into the contest and have caught quite a number of eels weighing from 151 b to 201 b. In addition to Mr Pratt’s catch, another eel brought in weighed nearly 201 b. It was taken°by Mr R. Mance from a stream near Okato. The object of the competition is to clear the rivers of voracious eels which have in the past wrought havoc among trout. What is probably_ a record since the establishment of quinnat salmon in the South Island rivers, was taken by Messrs C I. Denby ami \V. B. Berry, from the Ri.kaia River during a recent week-end (states the Ashburton Guardian). The two rods landed 25 fish, weighing 4351 b. All the fisli were, in excellent condition, and were even in size, the largest being 251 b There was a big run of quinnat in the river, and several oth'er anglers who were out obtained good fish. Ten quinnat salmon, the largest weighing 231 b, and the smallest 161 b, was the “ bag ” which Messrs D. Cosgrove and G. Rush brought into Tiinaru on Wednesday morning, from the Rangitata River (states the Herald). The fish were all fresh run. and in prime condition. The aggregate weight of the 10 was 1661 b. Six were caught on Wednesday morning before 8 o’clock, and the other four "were landed on Tuesday. Criticisms of the Marine Department’s policy in connection with the letting of licenses for netting quinnat salmon in the Waimakariri River were inquired into by a Wellington representative of the Lyttelton Tinies, who ascertained the reasons for confining this year’s allocation to only three licenses. It was found that the department is extremely anxious not to allow this introduced fish to ba “ cleaned out ” by undue fishing, as it would probably be impossible to again induce the Government to go to the expense of establishing them in New Zealand waters. The runs have varied, and the data have been uncertain. Two expert American fishers who visited New Zealand on a holiday expressed to definite opinion that tho time had not arrived when any licenses to fish should be issued. Reliable informa’ tion regarding the run of these fish must be obtained before wider opportunities can be provided for anglers. Therefore the Marine Department decided that during the current season only four netting licenses should bo issued, one to be reserved for its own operations This left three to be made available to applicants, and in making the allocation, preference was given to bona fide regular fishermen, who would be likely to secure sound and reliable information regarding the run of these fish. Operating in the same area are the Marine Department’s fishermen, whose reports are compared with those of the three licensees, and it is thus hoped to get accurate information, which will enable a sound policy to be followed. The position at Waimakariri has been investigated on the spot recently by the chief fisheries officer, Mr Hefford. Messrs G. B. Hutchins and James Willocks, of Owaka, are at present at the Manorburn dam, near Alexandra, for a week’s fishing. The dam is reported to be literally teeming with rainbow trout just now, notwithstanding that this is the “ back end ” of the season. The Owaka anglers carried a full equipment on a trailer behind their motor car, in the shape of a serviceable-looking boat, with mast and sail, besides tent and all camping essentials. They expect to do most of their fishing from the boat, preferably by trolling from the stern, and for this purpose the sail will come in very handy. Some Stratford fishermen had rather an unenviable experience lately, and their friends are passing many humorous comments about it (states the Evening Post). The anglers went bn a sea-fishing expedition at Tongaporutu, and conducted their operations from a rock. Too late they noticed that the incoming tide had surrounded their resting place, and there they had to remain all through the night.

At the Rangitata River a fisherman landed six salmon, one of which turned the scales at 171 b (reports the Ashburton Guardian). The others weighed about 141 b each. Salmon were plentiful at both the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers recenitly, and many varied catches were reported. : Anglers report fair takings during the past week. In the Hawea River a noticeable feature is the number of brown, trout captured, all in good condition. These fish now evidently outnumber the rainbow, judging by the results obtained from the stream mentioned. One of the best bags recently secured was that of eight taken on Monday evening by Mr A Humphrey at the head of Lake Wanaka’ Mr H. Soanes, of Edward avenue, Christchurch, during last week-end captured a quinnat salmon weighing 271 b in the Waimakariri (states the Lyttelton limes). The fish was in excellent condition. SOUTH CANTERBURY FISHING. The correspondent of the Otago Daily limes writes on the 9th inst. as follows concerning angling in South Canterbury:— •{u e x? 103 t “iteresting thing in connection with the anglers’ sport during the past week has been the salmon fishing. The Kangitata has kept eftan, and some largo *uns of salmon have been coming in, so that all the pools from the gorge to the sea have now an abundance of salmon. Ihe best salmon bags have- been caught in the middle waters of the river, betweeri the electric wires and the bridges. Visiting anglers have been catching nine, 10, and 12 fish for a day’s sport. Some of tho hsh caught in these waters weighed up to 351 b, while several have been caught weighing 301 b and 32ib, and a number betweej 181 b and 251 b, but the majority have been weighed from 81b to 141 b. AU of these fish have been in first-class order, and in splendid condition. The old cuts are on the salmon this year as ia the past, but they are not marked so badly this season as formerly. There are still plenty of salmon to be seen around the mouth of the Rangitata, and this year is expected by competent authorities to be a record one in salmon fishing. Already wmi.i 15G0 salmon have been caught by rod and line from these waters. A practical fisherman, while fishing som-j 22 miles away from Timaru, out at sea, recently was fortunate enough to catch a 71b quinnat, which was, apparently, working its way towards the river. The ovary bug was slightly developed in what arc Known as seed eggs. The salmon was in good condition. This instance will give some idea of how far the salmon range from the coasts. This is said to be ..tho farthest distance out into the sea that salmon have been known to be caught. Another fish, at about the same time, was caught in the vicinity, but some 12 miles nearer the shore. The Opihi River has been giving some excellent trout fishing in its upper wate-.B recently, and quite a number of young quinnat have been caught on the fly as with some rainbow trout. These young rainbows have been about lib to Ijlb, and were liberated by the Acclimatisation Society in the upper waters of the Silverstream. Anglers are at present delighted with the large numbers of fly fish that are to be caught in the Opuha. It is said to be many years since anglers were able to catch so many fish in a day, and baskets of up to 16 fish have been In the lower pools, of the Opihi, although thousands of fish are known to be there, they appear to be half dormant. This has probably been due to the drought conditions and the extreme heat in the water. Several anglers visiting these pools, however, have been getting three, four, and five big fish in the evening, ranging up to 121 b in weight, while the angler with the small flv has also been getting good baskets of lib and Wb fish during the evening rise. The remainder of .the rivers have been practically useless lately for fishing purposes, owing to the blanket weed and the low condition of their waters. Now that there has come a two days rain, with a consequent rise in the _ rivers, it is confidently to be expected, with the enormous quantities of fish in the poois,that good sport will eventuate, althoiign most of the anglers are at present saving their energies for the salmon fishing in the Rangitata. QUINNAT . SALMON. v f from Auckland, dated March 9, says:— "Although quinnat salmon are now. plentiful in South Island rivers, they are working northward at a very slow rate of progress,” said the Chief Inspector of Fisheries (Mr A. E. Hefford) this jnorning. He added that the- stocking of South. Island rivers with quinnat had a wonderful triumph of pisciculture. The quinnat were now running freely in certain rivers in the south, and splendid specimens had been caught. Mr Hefford said that quinnat had worked across Coox Strait from rivers stocked at the north end of the South Island. They had found their 'way into Wairarapa Lake and into’several rivers in the Wellington province during the past three or four years. It had been a slow rate of progress, and it was still a matter of speculation how far north quinnat would establish themselves. When the Waikato River was mentioned, Mr Hefford said it was not yet known whether it would be suitable for salmon. It was possible that the latitude was too far north and that the water had too high a temperature. However, investigations were being made by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, and further information on the point at issue would be available later.