ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 51

ANGLING.

PROSPECTS FOR WEDNESDAY. To-morrow followers of Izaak Walton will betake their rods and creels to their favourite fishjpg grounds. Much depends on the weather conditions, and the fishing can only be finally judged after a trial.

“ Fishing up here this season,” writes G. J. S. from Waipori, “should be extra good. Last Sunday week I saw a pool with' over 50 fish in it ranging from about a pound up to six. The lake up here is never dirty, and always fishable. At the end of last season I hooked a fish, and it took out 60 yards in one run. I have fished for over 20 years now, and I never struck a heavier fish. Others here have caught them up to 141 b, but I think this one was an 81b or 91b rainbow. I never saw the fish, only the swirl. His run was so fast that I am sure he wasn’t a brown trout. However, I jiope to encounter him again shortly.” Anglers are busy overhauling their tackle and discussing prospects (says the Southland Times). Present indications are that the season should open most auspiciously. The fact that there have been no severe floods in Southland rivers during the winter has facilitated spawning, and reports are to the effect that many fish of good size have been seen in rivers, particularly in smaller streams such as the Otamita and the Otapiri. These small streams are at present in first class order and the larger rivers are also lower than is usual at the opening of the season, which is good from the angler’s point of view. There is, however, still a lot of snow to come down from the high country, and when it melts it is going to interfere with sport. It does not seem likely that this will happen before opening day. Lake Waituna has been opened out by anglers during the off season and the fishing in the lake should be improved. One interesting point in connection with the opening this season is that the run ot whitebait is as poor as it has ever been at this time of the year. At last year’s opening whitebait were running most freely, but the fishing was very poor. Wt ; l the converse hold good this year?

STROKE-HAULING. Pleasure at a decision of the Rangers Committee of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society to take some action to put a stop to stroke-hauling in the Rakaia, Hurunui, and Waimakariri Rivers, was expressed to a Christchurch Sun reporter the other day by some of those who were responsible for the petition which was presented to the council of the society. They said that if the committee decided to put men on to patrol the rivers, stroke-hauling, which was one of the most unsportsmanlike ways of taking fish they knew of, would etop, and it would be a fine thing for fishing.

MATAURA CLUB. The annual general meeting of the Mataura Angling Club, which took place in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Mataura, was largely attended, the president (Mr F. J. Medley) occupying the chair. The report and balance sheet were presented by the secretary, the adoption of the documents being moved by the chairman and seconded. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. F. J. Medley (re-elected)’; vice-presidents—Messrs J. Calder. P. Amos, W. Leitch. A. Richmond. W. Allison, J. Adam, T. Gaudion, and M. Maley; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. N. Dunnage; auditor, Mr W. Allison; judge of competitions, Mr M. Maley; handicapper, Mr M. Maley; General Committee —Messrs H. Anderson, A. J. Grant, R. Calder, G. Sinclair, C. Badman, R. Barclay, G. Cameron, W. Gardiner, and J. Hardy. The membership fee was fixed at the same amount as previously. It was agreed that the club donate the value of four schoolboys’ licenses during the coming season, the licenses to be competed for by schoolboys at such competitions as the committee may decide, and the cost of the licenses to be refunded to the winners.

Following a brief discussion, it was agreed that the club reject the proposals submitted by the Winton Club to restrict

the season, increase the size limit, and decrease the limit basket per day. WYNDHAM CLUB. The annual meeting of the Wyndham Angling Club was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Mr L. B. Borrow (president) presiding over a good attendance of members. The election of office-bearers resulted:— President, Mr J. E. Mitchell; vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. J. C. Smart and A. R. Udy; secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Robertson; committee—Messrs V. Barroclough, J. Young, J. Hayes, W. A. Leitch, G. A. Johnstone; auditor, Mr A. Wilson, jun.; handicapper, Mr J. E. Mitchell.

In accordance with his notice of motion, Mr V; Barroclough moved that the active subscription of the club be ss, honorary members 2s 6d, and that an entry fee of Is be charged for all competitions. In speaking to the motion, the mover said that it appeared that the subscription of 7s 6d frightened a lot from joining the club, and that it would be a good idea to revert back to the. old membership fee. It appeared that they were going down the hill, and it was time that something was done ,to secure new members and stimulate interest in the club.—Mr G. J. C. Smart seconded the motion, which was carried. Mb Smart introduced the matter of holding a junior competition, and. after discussion, he moved that it be a recommendation to the Executive Committee to hold a junior competition for boys and girls during the season.—Mr Barroclough seconded the motion, and offered a prize to the value of 5s for such events, which was accepted wtih thanks.—The motion was carried, and it was decided to hold the first competition on the third Wednesday in October, the conditions to be any bait and any river. Mr Robertson reported that Mr M. Tangncy had donated a medal for a competition during the incoming season, and the donation -was. gratefully accepted.

OTAGO ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Otago Anglers’ Association was held on Wednesday evening in Kroon’s Hall, the president (Mr I. Grant) occupying the chair. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said all were looking forward to a better season than the last one. There had been a round-table, conference between the association and’ the Otago Acclimatisation Society, and as a result matters now looked much more hopeful than had been the case for a long time. The report and. balance sheet were adopted. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr M. Barratt; vice-presidents— Messrs F. Haskoll, W. Griffiths. J. Winefield, D. M'Lennan. L. Perry; secretary, Mr R. Wilson; treasurer, Mr W. T. Brailey: auditor. Mr C. A. Wilson; committee—Messrs A. Spiers. A. Gillands. W. A. Raffills. R. Kay. A. H. Templeton, J. Maconie, C. Bedford, J. Stewart, W. Flint, A. J. Rice. There was a short discussion on the advisability of appointing an honorary ranger to give his attention to protecting the sport at Tomahawk Lagoon, and it was made a recommendation to. the incoming executive to proceed with the necessary arrangements. Fifteen new members were elected. SMOKE CONCERT.

At the conclusion of the annual meeting, the club’s smoke concert was held, the new-ly-elected president (Mr M. Barratt) presiding over an excellent attendance.

The principal toast of the evening was that of the “ Otago Acclimatisation Society,” which was proposed by the chairman. Replying to the toast. Mr C. A. Wilson, president of the society, first made an appeal to anglers to help the society by reporting on the condition of the streams they fished and so give the society something to work on when distributing ova and fry. He went on to speak of the work of acclimatisation societies throughout the Dominion and the movement which was afoot to change the present order of game supervision. Mr H. G. Williams (chairman of the Angling Committee of the Acclimatisation Society) gave a short account of the acquisition by the society of the new fish hatchery at Waitati. In the new hatchery 7,000,000 eggs could be dealt with, most of which were obtained from the Lakes District. These, of course, were not from sea-run fish, and there should be more chance of keeping the progeny of these trout in the rivers. The work of the Fish Research Board, set up about two years ago to go into the question of the diminution of fish in our streams, was explained. This board was financed by means of the efforts of the various acclimatisation societies. .He explained the work now being carried on at the Waitati hatchery.

The chairman announced that Mr H. G. Williams, one of the oldest members of the association, had promised to give a prize for a competition on the Shag River, to be known as the jubilee fly-fish-ing competition.

During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs J. Botting, G. Ansell, and D. Fogarty. Mr J. Parker gave a cornet solo./ and Mr C. Gibbons rendered a flute solo. A very enjoyable item was that rendered by Macks’ Melody Makers. Mr D. Sharp played the accompani ments, and Mr J. M'Tigue gave a piano -solo.

The prizes won in the various competi; tions held during the 1929-30 season distributed by the president, as follow: Shag River (any legal bait). —A. J. Rice 1 and gold medal, F. M'Lean 2. Tomahawk Lagoon (any legal bait).—; F. Monson 1 and gold medal. Waipahi (bare fly).—T. J. Wyllio (Pukerau) 1, G. Trusler (Ashburton) 2’. Waipahi (any legal bait). —P. Ci Murray 1, K. Mason 2. Tomahawk Lagoon (bare flv or artificial minnow).—R. Kay 1, R. Davidson 2. Tomahawk Lagoon (bare fly only).—? W. Wilson 1, F. M'Lean *’2. Waikouaiti (bare fly).—L. Griffiths 1, W. R. Davidson 2. ’ Tomahawk Lagoon Special Competition (any legal bait). —W. Wilson 1, S. Barnes 2. Waikouaiti (any legal bait). —D. M'Lennan 1, A. Gillands 2. Waikouaiti (special).—D. M'Lennan 1. P. Anderson 2. TAIERI CLUB. The first social evening in connection with the Taieri Anglers’ Club was held on Thursday night in the Fire Brigade Hall. Mr M. Barrett (president) was in the chair, and he was supported by the retiring president (Mr A. M'Cloy) and the secretary (Mr A. North). The chairman opened the social with a few words of welcome. The toast of “ The King ” was honoured. A short programme of toasts, songs, and music followed.

Mr M'Cloy detailed the formation of the club in Mosgiel, from the time a meeting of a dozen had been held a year ago. They were al] workers, and the club grew in numbers and enthusiasm, and soon over 40 were on the roll. Competitions had been arranged, and had proved very successful. These competitions would compare very favourably with their sister club in Dunedin, which would be celebrating its jubilee this season. He hoped the membership would double this year, and appealed to every member to secure at least one new member. He thanked the committee for the assistance given during the past year, while he had occupied the presidential chair.

The chairman made reference to the balance sheet, which disclosed a satisfactory financial position. He urged all young men to become members and keep a sustained interest in the club until its jubilee. He was sure many of their young members would see that eventful occasion.

Messrs C. A. Wilson and Long (representing the Otago Acclimatisation Society) were present, the former giving an address brimful of information to the club members. For this he received a special vote of thanks. Mr A. M'Cloy presented the prizes as follows:— No. 1 Competition (on Contour Channel). —Mr M. Barrett 1, Mr R. Hay 2, Messrs 8. M'Millan and A. Massey (equal) 3, Mr C. M'Lean 5. No. 2 Competition (on Taieri River).— Mr A. Pedofski 1, Mr C. M'Lean 2, Mr P. Ralston 3.

No. 3a Competition (on Waipori Dam), —Mr C. Cameron 1, Mr J. Ralston 2. No. 3b Competition (on Waipori Dam), —Mr P. Ralston 1, Mr George Low 2. No. 4 Competition (on Taieri River).— Mr P. Ralston 1, Mr C. Healey 2, Mr E. Newman 3.

No. 5 Competition (on Waipori River), —Mr M. Barrett 1, Mr J. Ralston 2, Mr E. Newman 3.

Supper was served at an interval, this providing an opportunity for a social chat amongst the members.