SALMON AND TROUT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 18

SALMON AND TROUT.

TEMUKA, March 1

Trout fishing is not attracting a great deal of attention in South Canterbury at the moment, the catching of quinnat salmon being the feature so far as fishing is concerned. On Saturday and Sunday "large numbers of anglers wended their way to the mouths of the Rangitata and the Orari, about 150 cars and motor cycles being on the banks of the former stream on Sunday afternoon. Some were successful in landing one or more of these fish. The fish have now distributed themselves over a wide area, and this gives everyone an opportunity to get a fish. This applies particularly to the Rangitata, but the Orari is well patronised, and cars and other conveyances are to be seen in all manner of places on the banks of this stream. Experience seemed to tell, and those who have been at the game before were the most successful. Mr Harry Cook, of Rangitata, hooked five fish, the largest being 281 b, the next weighed 261 b, another was 241 b, and the smallest turned the scale at 131b—911b in all.

A large number of inquiries are being made as to the best streams for salmon, and before the season expires fishermen from many parts of New Zealand may be expected-to try their luck in the South Canterbury streams. The fish are more and more plentiful each year, and anglers are becoming expert in the catching of them. Hopes are cherished that the catching of salmon will one day develop into an industry. Although trout fishing has been neglected to some extent, those who have not the facilities to get about have devoted their attention to the streams near at hand. The Opihi and Temuka Rivers and their tributaries have been well patronised during the week, and fair success has been met with. The Temuka has been fishing well, and some anglers report getting from 10 to 12 fish ranging in weight from Jib to 31b in weight. At the Opihi, baskets of from eight to 14 fish have been taken. Most of the streams, especially the tributaries, have been low as the result of the dry weather. The societies’ ranger and curator, Mr J. Scott-Main, has had an anxious time attending to the fish which have become stranded. In some cases 200 and 300 fish have been cut off in pools 60 or 70 yards long, and Mr Main has been able to give them the necessary attention, and the mortality so far has been slight.

Should rain come shortly, to freshen up the streams, there should be some excellent baskets of trout caught in the South Canterbury streams.