ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 29

ANGLING.

By

Jock Scott.

To be a perfect fisherman you require more excellencies than are usually to be fomjd in sueh a small space as is allotted to a man's carcass Parker Gilmour.

Readers 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.

Few people will have, been more interested in the weather'during the past few weeks than the angling fraternity which, as far as I can ascertain, is on the increase, locally and generally. The weather from an angler’s point of view, and indeed everyone’s, has not been inspiring or elating. Cold- biting winds, with passing showers of rain, have been the ushering-in factors of the season, and while the latter may, in many instances, have kept the rivers at a good level, the former would cause the trout to seek seclusion, and not be conducive of an active search for food on their part. That, of course, means they would not be “on the go,” in angling phraseology. Tuesday, the day preceding the opening of the season was bleak, and on Wednesday when the season opened there was little change. On Thursday there was about a couple of hours in the afternoon during which Father Sol asserted himself, and gave promise of better things, but there was a speedy relapse to the previous state of affairs, and at the time of writing the prospect for the next day was not very cheering. However, everything comes to an end, and incidentally the present prevailing bad weather. Patience is a virtue, and the angler, who possesseth it not is deficient in one of the outstanding qualities that form part of the equipment of the true angler. To be an angler patience and perseverance are essentials. Trout have curious ways, and it may be that some angler made a fair basket despite weather conditions. While fishing the Owaka years ago I met with a curious experience that goes to prove that the ways of trout are at times unaccountable. In those days the Owaka was full of trout of a lusty description; not like they are now; and while fishing in the vicinity of the Scotchman’s Bonnet, I witnessed a curious spectacle in the calm reaches of the river. The fish were all swimming lazily along on the top of the water, with the back fin well above the surface. Many of them were heavy fish, and they all seemed to be sunning themselves—it was a glorious summer day, and the sun was shining brightly., I tried them with everything I could think of, but it was ’“no go”; they would not look at anything. Then the sun became obscured, and almost instantly not a fin was to be seen; and the fish came on the take with extraordinary zest. A pretty full creel was the result at the end of a couple of hours. I was up in a northerly direction a few days ago, and noticed that the Shag, Waikouaiti, and Waitati were looking in tip-top order, but “ nary ” a fish broke the surface of any of them. It does not, however, follow from what I saw, or rather did not see, that the fish were not there. As a matter of fact I was told that fish were pretty plentiful in the Shag River. The only trout I saw break the surface was at the mouth of the Evansdale Creek, and he was a good one, as far as I could judge. As for the near-at-hand rivers south of Dunedin I am given to understand that the fish have been showing up well in most of them, and that the streams are generally in good fishing condition.

The arfgling season opened on Wednesday, and is now in full swing. It is satisfactory to note that, in spite of adverse conditions, the opening has been more satisfactory than expected, and better than we have had for several years. On the opening day most of the Dunedin anglers were out on the various pools and rivers, in some cases with more than the usual success.

The Shag River was, as usual, well patronised, and some nice baskets were made. Several limit bags were obtained, with a lot of baskets containing from eight to 16 fish. The majority of the fish caught were taken on the floating worm, fly-fishers not being so successful. This water was reported to be in first-class condition, though perhaps a trifle higher than usual at this time of year. The water was extremely cold, and it is evident that until we get some warmer weather, fishing will not improve. Fair bags have been caught by Palmerston anglers. The heaviest fish were caught by Mr A. Fraser, sen., a veteran angler of 86 years, who landed a 31b and an 81b fish on the opening day.

The Tomahawk Lagoon was another water that was well patronised. A number of anglers visited the place early on the opening morning, and the worm and “ bully ” seem to be the only baits used with any great measure of success, though many others were tried. One angler secured a fish weighing 81b, and another weighing 21b. In’ the evening the number of anglers was considerably increased, and greater success was met with, fish being caught even on a small-sized fly. Since then the fishing has been fairly good and some nice trout up to 21b weight have been taken. One angler reports that a fish weighing 41b, in perfect condition, was taken on the fly. This fish had evidently not been stripped, and it is a good sign that they are already rising to the fly. There is little doubt that the lagoon would be well tried out during the week-end.

One angler .who visited the Waitati informed .me that he took 11 fish, one of which weighed 41b—a good one from this little stream. This was tempted with the worm. All the other fish secured were, approximately, 10 inches in length.

I have not been able to glean much information about the Waipahi, but I am given to understand that some very fair baskets have been made from this once famous fly stream. A note says that the river was in real good fishing order towards the end of last week.

The Waikouaiti River was visited by a few Dunedin anglers, but the result of their operations was very poor. It is reported that\one fish turning the scale at the respectable weight of 5 Jib was caught. Those I have spoken to who were on this river state that there were no whitebait running, which is unusual.

Although anglers have not reached the Waipori River as yet, I understand that good fishing has been obtained in the upper reaches in the vicinity of the power house with a small green minnow, while in the lower reaches a few good trout have been secured. Mr H. G. Williams got four nice fish averaging 21b near the mouth on the worm. He made a return trip to the river on Saturday afternoon. _The Catlins River was reported as having a tendency to rise, the water being very, cold, but notwithstanding, on the opening day a large number of fish were caught. One party fishing between Sharpe’s mill and Houipapa secured 50 fish amongst them. Three parties angled above Tawanui, and two of them met with “ttl®. °, r no success - What the third party aid I do not know, but probably they met with the same ill-luck. . Messrs Barratt and Murdoch, of Mosgiel, chose the contour channel for the opening day of the season, and the former obtained the limit bag early in the day. Mr Murdoch secured 13 fish, and Mr Barratt states that all his catch was made with the Red-bodied Waipahi and Redtipped Governor flies. A light southerly wind was blowing, but at times it was quite warm. The fish were stated to be only in fair condition. Two Dunedin anglers visited the Tengawhai River, which runs into the Opihi, one of them securing the limit basket with fish of just about takable size.

The Silverstream provided only poor sport for several local fishermen. The river contained very little water at the time of their visit.

One angler took eight nice fish on Wednesday night from the Water of Leith. They were not very large, but in good condition. It is anticipated that the little stream will provide fair sport later on. I have not heard anything about the Lee Stream and Deep Stream, but these are always late rivers. The Kakanui is another stream concerning which I have no information to give.

Our North Otago correspondent, writing on the 2nd inst., says the bitterly cold weather for the opening day of the fishing season prevented many anglers from participating, and reports indicated that only a few enthusiasts were rewarded with catches.. One angler is credited with a few trout,. including a two-pounder, from the Kakanui, but there are no reports to hand, as to the Waitaki. Juveniles fishing in the Oamaru Greek met with fair sport, the catches being three, five, and 11 trout, the largest weighing He also states as follows: —The applications for fishing licenses for the season which will be opened to-day are on a par with the number issued by the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society last year, when the total established a record. Though anglers are keen on trying their hick on the opening day, it is thought unfavourable weather conditions will prevent a number from participating. The Waitaki is in first-class order for fishing, but the Kakanui is slightly discoloured, with a fair amount of snow water in it, so that the water will probably be too cold for good sport to be obtained. Mr M. Barratt presided over the first annual social of the Taieri Anglers’ Club, and said that the members nearly numbered 40 and were all workers. He mentioned that the balance sheet disclosed a satisfactory financial position. 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 oof thanks.

The Southland Tinies reports as to the condition of the streams in Southland prior to the opening day as favourable. The Oreti, at Dipton,, was in good order for the fly; the Aparima, low and clear; the Waiau was in good condition and fish plentiful at the mouth; the Orawia in good condition for the creeper, the Otapiri and Lora in first-class condition; the Mataura, at Garston, high and dirty, and still rising; the Waikaia slightly discoloured; the Mataura in a similar condition, and the Makarewa, Otamita, Waimea, Waipahi, Mimihau, and Wyndham in good order.

Mr W. Excell presided over the annual meeting of the Ohai Anglers’ Club. The annual report, submitted and adopted, contained the following:—The Southland Acclimatisation Society is again to be thanked for supplying the club with 60,000 eyed ova, which were deposited in the local hatchery and successfully reared for liberation in the Morley Stream. An additional 130,000 have been liberated in this stream also. During the year two field days and competitions were held, and were well patronised. Although a loss of 8s 3d is shown on the past year, the club is still in the position of showing a credit balance of £l4 9s Bd. Some of the members in Wairio are desirous of building a hatchery in that district on the ssme lines as the one situated at Ohai, and it is hoped that the members of the club will give this proposal their earnest consideration.

There are at present over 1,000,000 trout ova in various stages fff’ growth being cared for at the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s hatcheries (states the Press). This is the third time this year that all the hatcheries have been full.

Fair bags of trout have been caught by Palmerston anglers. The heaviest fish were caught by Mr A. Fraser, sen., a veteran angler of 86 years, who landed a 31b and an 81b fish on October 1.

The weather for the opening of the fishing season was cold but fine, with the exception of a few showers in the early morning. In the afternoon the sky became overcast again, and rain threatened. On the whole, however, the weather was good for angling. District rivers and streams are known to be full of water; if anything, somewhat high in the case of the smaller streams, but not highly coloured as after freshets, thus adding one more point in the angler’s favour. Parties from Balclutha visited the Catlins, .Waipahi, Waiwera, Owaka. and Pomahaka, while, as usual, the big river held its attraction for the worm fisher. In the vicinity of the freezer at Finegand some very fair-sized fish were caught by this method. Master A. Low was perhaps the most successful with nine trout, one weighing 911 b. Messrs Bros, also secured a good bag, Air R, Deaker four, and there were a number with smaller catches.

A message from Waipahi on Wednesday evening stated that many good baskets were obtained on the river during the day, all the fish being of a nice size. Messrs A. P. Hoffman, P, C. Murray, C. Murray, J. Murray, and A. Mason secured the limit of 25; H. Jones 23, C. Turnbull (Wairuna) 18, G. Friend 17, and J. Barlow (Clinton) 17. Two ladies were verv successful, Miss Clutha Trusler securing 21 fish, and Miss T. Beccard 12. A youth (Walter Brown) landed 18. The trouble that recently caused the death of trout in the Avon has been defined and located, it is understood, and steps, are being taken to prevent a repetition (states the Christchurch Sun). The trouble was caused by the accidental discharge through a drain of some matter -that proved highly poisonous to fish in the river.

The Southland Acclimatisation Society’s ranger, together with two members of the Winton Angling Club, recently visited the Oreti River at the Winton bridge and liberated 37,000 small fry, about an inch in length (states the Winton correspondent of the Southland Times) For a stretch of five miles both above and below the bridge these fish were released, being brought from the hatcheries at Te Anau.

Most of the Balclutha anglers who visited adjacent streams on opening day returned very tired at night, but happy in the knowledge that they had at least “ killed ” some fish. The best basket so far reported was that of Mr Arthur Henderson and party (three rods), whose visit to the Waiwera netted 33 fish, some of fair size. A Dunedin man on the Waipahi secured 14 trout, three being threepounders. On the same stream Messrs Kelly and Millis (Balclutha) took 11 good, even-sized fish. The honours for weight, however, seem to have rested easily with the fishers of the Molyneux. Master A. Lowe’s 9Jib fish was on view on Thursday and greatly admired. This young angler’s bag for the day numbered 12 fish, including the big one and two fivepounders.

Cases of poaching and illegal methods of taking trout are being reported in the Pahiatua district, but are not being defected. “ Why is it we are unable to sheet home the charge? ” (asked the committee of the Pahiatua Angling Club in its annual report). “Are we so apathetic to our own sport that we cannot catch these offenders? While it is very true that our district does not receive the systematic ranging which it deserves, a responsibility is incurred by club members in detecting and reporting cases of poaching and other illegal methods of taking trout. Although conditions in the earliest part of the year were unfavourable for raids on the eel, no interest has- been shown in endeavouring to rid our streams of these scavengers.” A consignment of 75,000 trout ova arrived in Greymouth the other morning from the Kanieri hatcheries (states the Argus). Of these 50,000 were taken up country for liberation in the streams in the vicinity of Nelson Creek. Another 15,000 were freed in Sawyer’s Creek, and the remainder, 10,000, were sent to Punakaiki. There has been a continuation of the acute shortage of fish which has been apparent during th e past few weeks in Timaru (says the Herald). One fisherman stated that he had never for many years seen such a shortage of groper for so long a period, and that all the catches comprised a few flat fish and gournard. The heavy weather prevailing round the coast during the past fortnight had contributed to the shortage, as only a few boats had been able to put to sea. The executive of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society is at present busily engaged in liberating trout ova in the North Otago rivers. Some 100,000 ova will be liberated in the Waitaki River, 50,000 in the Kakanui, and a good number in the Oamaru Creek.

Several small catches of trout in the Ashburton and Hinds Rivers marked the opening of the angling season (states the Guardian). The majority ot the fish caught were small. It is stated that the fish do not appear to be so plentiful m the Hinds Stream as last year.