ANGLING.

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 47

ANGLING.

By

Jock Scott.

To be a perfect fisherman you require more ixcellenciea than are usually to be found in such A email space as is allotted to a man’s carcass.— Parker Gilmour.

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.

I was more than pleased to receive an interesting and informative account of the fishing at Lake Mahinerangi on Thursday from “ Sport,” a real live and keen angler. He states that the weather was wet and cold for the opening of the Season, and that he did not go out till ' night time, when he saw some nice fish taken on the worm. He heard of only five rods being at the head of the lake, and all the anglers secured good bags. Mr Toms and Mr Knewstub, of Roxburgh, took 16 fish, averaging 2Jlb. Mr and Mrs J. R. Cotton, of Waipori. obtained nine fish, which averaged 31b when cleaned and dried; and Mr Eaton, of Waitahuna, landed six fish. “Sport” did not see Mr Eaton’s fish all weighed, but put two of them that had been hanging up drying all day on the scales, where one weighed 7Jib and the other 611 b. He reckons that the fish weighed Slfb and 911 b when caught. Friday they had good sport in ideal weather, but “ Sport ” secured only two

fish. When they got to the hut at night time they had 26 fish for five rods, weighing from Jib to 411 b. most of the fish being about 211 b to 31b. Saturday he “ slept in,” the others getting away at daylight. Being left alone, he “ went on his own” for a while, but met with no luck. Mr Cotton joined him, and as he was “ across the ditch ” handed him his rod, and “ Sport ” started casting, and in less than five minutes had secured a 7Jib fish—a beauty. The party had taken six fish before this. Mr R. J. Pennell has an outboard motor for his boat, and the party was not long before it was carried down the lake, and “ Sport ” had six more fish by the time they came back. He was told by Mr Cotton in the evening that Mrs Cotton had secured a 61b trout “on her own.” The catch for the day totalled about 20 fish. An early start was made next day, and the “other boys ” were getting fish, but “ Sport ” could not get “ a nibble,” and was, of course, subjected to considerable banter. He, however, managed to bag four fish before they took their departure. Mr G. Eaton land 10 nice, pretty fish, two weighing 611 b each. The party got 28 fish for the day. “ Sport ” adds that the lake is “full up,” and “the flat” cannot be got down with the cars. The only way to get down is to go up the Lawrence road, and along the top, and then come down where the trees are; or walk down and there is good fishing all the way down on the west side. “ Sport ” adds that he has heard of only one fish being taken from the Waitahuna River on the opening day of the season. Mr G. Eaton got one fish lOin long on the opening day, when the stream was in flood. The Waitahuna should be in good condition at the time of writing. I thank “ Sport ” for his contribution, and shall be pleased to hear from him later on, as he indicates. Messrs W. B. Macalister uinil J. Morrison spent four days in the Catlins district with the rod, and met with good sport. They fished the Maclennan, Tahakopa, and Fleming Rivers, and caught 47 fish, using the natural minnow. The largest fish taken weighed 51b, most of the remainder running about 11b in weight. It was rather early in the season, and the whitebait had not commenced to As regards the fishing generally for the week-end, the Shag River seems to have been disappointing to angleis, An angler informs me that on Saturday morning he took ten fish on the fly, four of which ran from a pound to a pound and threequarters. The best sport was provided in the vicinity of Dunback, and in the neighbourhood of Bushey. Four Dunedin anglers visited the Waipahi River at the week-end, but met with very little success. They found the river exceedingly low and clear. A message received during the week stated that the Pomahaka River, although still high, was improving in condition, ami good sport is looked for when a further fall takes place. The newly-appointed committee of the Otago Anglers’ Association held its first meeting on Wednesday evening, the principal business transacted being the arrangement of the competitions for the season. A series of nine was arranged for, one in the contour channel being deleted for this season’s list. Four competitions will be held on the Tomahawk Lagoon, including one open to any angler. Two competitions have been arranged for the boys, and are to be held on the Water of Leith on the 17th and 31st inst. Two prizes have been allotted for these two competitions, and consist of a pair of waders, a reel, and a fly-book, and a silver medal. There is n 0 charge for entry. It was pointed out that daylight saving terminated the week-end before Easter, and it was decided that a letter be sent to Sir Thomas Sidey asking his assistance in getting the period extended to cover the Easter holidays. It was also decided that it would not be worth while saving the scales of fish taken from the Tomahawk Lagoon, as there was too great a variety of fish there. Amongst the waters from which it was decided to collect scales were the Shag and Waikouait: Rivers, and the Waipori Lake.

A correspondent, writing from Oamaru last Tuesday, says: Reports indicate that very fair sport was obtained during the week-end by anglers in the North tOago rivers. There are numbers of trout in the Waitaki, especially for this time of the year, in fair condition, and at the mouth Mr C. Swinard landed a six and a four-pounder, while Mr T. Cunningham secured two three-pounders. Some fish were caught in the Hakataramea River, but they were not in condition. An anglei caught six nice fish in the Kakanui, the fish in this river being in excellent condition. There is still too much snow water in the river, but conditions should improve greatly in the near future. Mr C. Ayson

landed a 71b brown trout at Hakataramea, and Mr E. C. Beswick six well-con-ditioned brown trout in the Kakanui. A newspaper clipping published on Saturday stated: The prospects of good angling at the week-end on the various streams of the district are considered to be good, and many Dunedin fishermen intend going out of town to-day and tomorrow. The Shag is reported to be in good fishing order, and, though no large catches were reported there last weekend, many anglers are hopeful of obtaining better results now. This stream lias been more productive of good sport in the mornings than in the evenings. The Pomahaka is considered to be worth visiting. and it is expected that several Dunedin sportsmen will fish that stream. The Taieri should be as good as last week-end, when several good baskets were taken, and those who visit Waipori are promised excellent worm fishing. Our Cromwell correspondent states: The fishing season opened on Thursday, but with the only local stream, the Clutha. discoloured, anglers have not been active. However, that are not at all enthusiastic regarding the season’s prospects from this stream. Nothing comprehensive in the way of re-stocking this big river has been undertaken, and, as last season, anglers will have to turn to distant streams and the lakes for any sport. Writing from Balclutha last Tuesday, a correspondent states: Anglers who visited district streams during the weekend report poor luck. The streams are too low for really successful fishing, and in the Pomahaka, for example, the weed growths on the bottom are very pronounced. On the Owaka River, however, some good bags were secured. Fisherman on the Molyneux River report that the river was high and discoloured, and fish were not rising. The best of the catches did not exceed four fish.

The weather was unfavourable for the opening on the Waipahi, but several good catches are reported. Baskets of up to 14 trout were taken. The weather improved at the week-end, and better fishing was expected for this week. The stream is said to be in good order, but wou'd be improved by more rain.

The Catlins district streams are reported to be low and clear, and in good order for fly fishing. A few good baskets were taken at the opening of the season. It is considered that heavy rain would effect a considerable improvement. The opening day was wet in the morning at Milton, but it cleared in the afternoon. The river was in ha'f-flood, and was very dirty, and very few fish were caught with the minnow down past the mines. One angler got one nice fish weighing 71b, and there was also a few 41b ones caught. On Friday one fisherman for the half-day got his allowance of 25 fish, weighing 63|lb. The largest was 61b, and quite a number of 41b trout were included in the catch. Al) the fish were in good condition.

In connection with angling in the province of Southland, “ Creel,” in Saturday’s issue of the Southland Times, supplies the following information:—The lower waters of the Oreti were prospected by the minnow and natural fisher, and a bag of five fish weighing 151 b is reported to have been caught by Mr Harold Middlemiss on the latter lure. Fishing the Makarewa, Mr P. Crowe landed five good trout, with the heaviest specimen weighing about 41b. When met on the same river the following day, Mr Crowe reported a quiet time, only a brace having been placed in the bag. The Makarewa River was visited by the writer and although some hefty fish were seen, two brace of only fair fish were taken on the Red Tip Governor fly. At Grove Bush, Messrs D. Wishart and E. J. Morgan killed nine, mostly taken on the Female March Brown fly. The former angler creeled three brace on Saturday afternoon with a couple weighing 21b each. Fishing the Orawia, Mr George Hoffman found the trout hard to move, but by persistent efforts grassed just double figures on the Black Gnat and Dark Red Spinner flies. Messrs W. Drummond and W. Mitchell visited the Lora River and succeeded in creeling a dozen, the heaviest of which weighed 21b. Red Waipahi was the killing fly. From the Aparima, Mr T. S. Mackie caught eight on the Male March Brown fly. Master Allan Mackie landed two brace, and Mr Mackie reported the fish to be very patchy in their moving periods. Mr J. M’Pherson drew a nice brace from the Oreti River on the dry fly. The water was too thick for satisfactory results. Fishing Lake Waituna over the week-end, Mr W. Wilkinson Janded eight fish ranging from 4Jib to 151 b. The trout were all taken on the minnow lure by means of a casting rod. I'or the opening of the season Messrs J. M. Watson and 11. Andrews fished the same lake, and were rewarded with a very fine catch. Mr Smithies (Invercargill) visited the Wyndham River, and reported that although the water was just right, moving fish were hard to observe, and difficult to tempt to the flies presented. Two brace were eventually killed on the Red Tip Governor fly. Striking the Oreti River in a clearing condition above Dipton. Mr P. C. Hazeldine tempted 17 samples to the fly lures presented. The heaviest fish weighed about 21b. The Hedgehope River, so far, has not produced its usual bags to anglers whipping its waters, Mr F. J, Robinson having to work very hard during a recent visit for a total of five fish. In common with Gore anglers, Mataura enthusiasts did not achieve that measure of success usually associated with the opening day of the season. It would be difficult to advance any definite reason for this state of affairs, but the general opinion expressed points to the low state of the streams as being the main factor. The attention of the majority of Mataura anglers was focussed on the Mimihau and Mataura Rivers, those visiting the Mimihau achieving more success. Only in two instances were baskets approaching the limit secured, the average number of fish grassed being in the vicinity of six, and the most favoured lure being the fly (red spinner and purple grouse). Of those anglers who devoted their attention to the Mimihau, Mr A. Todd, using the floating worm, landed 21 fine trout. The next best baskets fell to Messrs H. Cottrell (12), and H. M’Callum (20), while Mrs and Mr R. Colthern secured eight and two fish respectively, and Mr F. J. Medley two.

On the Mataura River the most successful fisherman was Mr S. Wilson, who returned with eight trout. Other baskets obtained were Messrs A. Dixon six, A Price three, R. Barclay (Waimumu stream) three, B. Dixon two. A party comprising Messrs 11. B. Farnall, G. Menzies, S. K. Downie, and another rod, visited the Oreti River over the week-end, and in the upper waters creeled about 40 nice fly fish. The river was found to be somewhat cloudy, but clearing fast. At a meeting of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society in reply to a communication from the Minister of Internal Affairs, it was decided to advise him that two pairs of quail would be required from the Otago Society for liberation in the Waitaki district. Mr J. Forbes, of Waitaki, was thanked for transferring 40 stranded trout to the Waitaki. Subsequently a meeting of the Liberation Committee was held, at which duties were allotted to the various members for the liberation of fish in the Waitaki, Kakanui, Waianakurua, and Oamaru Creeks.

An odd pint or two of whitebait are being caught each day in the Grey River, but there has not yet been any regular run (says the Grey Star). The river is in splendid order, while the north-west wind should have assisted to coax the bait upstream, yet only in sixes and sevens were they arriving. Reports from whitebaiters at the Hokotika and Teremakau Rivers also state that the season has so far proved to be poor. The price for a pint of the delicacy was 3s, but a “ run ” would have the effect of making the price easier. “It looks as though there will be a ‘Labour Day’ run, and the bait will not be much in evidence till them.” said one fisherman.

There was a fair attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Bruce Angling Club. Messrs J. Read, J. Moroney, and 11. Wells were re-elected president and vice-president and secretary respectively. Comment was made on the illegal tactics of poachers. It was stated that complaints had been made to tne Otago Acclimatisation Society, but without much success having been achieved in reducing the poaching. Owing to the club’s straitened financial circumstances, it was decided not to hold any competitions this season. The Otago Acclimatisation Society has recently liberated 20,000 fry and yearling trout in the Tokomairiro River. in the north branch. Glenore, and Milton districts. Anglers at the Selwyn River at the opening of the season complained about the number of fishermen’s outboard motor boats moving up and down the river, particularly in the reaches towards the mouth (says the Sun). The wash from the propellers, it was stated, disturbed the fish, and was one of the reasons why even the best of the bags secured were not particularly large. Sixteen lampreys were found in the stomach of an eel which was caught during the week-end in the Makarewa by Mr J. Green (says the Southland Times). The voracious monster, which weighed 301 b was to be seen recently in Messrs A. and W. Hamilton’s window. Beside it was a very much prettier fish—a rainbow trout taken out of the Aparima, which contains a fair number of these daintily marked fish.

A number of anglers in Balclutha and district express themselves as very much dissatisfied with the alleged neglect by the Otago Acclimatisation Society’ of the streams of the Clutha district. This district contains some of the finest trout streams in the south, at least that was the claim made for them when at the zenith of their fame. Now it is said these streams are sadly depleted of fish, and it is difficult for even the most expert anglers to get anything like a basket. The reason given is that the streams have not been stocked up by the society, as in years gone by, with young trout, and the natural increase has not been sufficient to withstand the onslaughts of fishermen. As a protest, some 20 brethren of the rod this season purchased their licenses from the Southland Society. This, does not mean anything realy beyond a gesture, for these licenses hold good anywhere, and the returns are probably divided between the societies, but it shows the mood of the Clutha fishermen. WHITEBAIT NURSERIES. Captain Hayes, of the fisheries branch of the Marine Department, reporting on the life and habits of the whitebait, states that the spawning habits of the fish are unique. The adult fish (the inanga) migrate in shoals to the tidal water of rivers and streams for spawning. The shoal approaches the margin of the river at the time of high water of a spring tide. The minute eggs are deposited among rush, grass, clover or other vegetation which affords concealment for the spawning fishes and cover for the eggs, which adhere in small clusters on the ground about the bases of the stems of rushes or grasses. Spawning does not take place until the highest of the spring tides has passed. The ova are thus left “high and dry” when the tide recedes, and since they are deposited as near the water’s edge as the fish can get and the tides which follow are of diminishing size, there can be no further contact with the water until occurrence of next spring tides—at the earliest a fortnight later. The spawn is thus assured complete protection from any aquatic enemy for practically the whole of the incubation period. When the eggs are once more submerged on the next spring tide reaching them, hatching takes place, and the

larvie are carried down by the ebb tide to the sea. It has been found that if the s l’ r . i ng tides succeeding those during which the spawning took place are not so high, and therefore do not reach the zone where the spawn is deposited, the eggs remain unhatched until a tide sufficiently high to reach them occurs. The young then hatch out, and are none the woise for the delay. The spawning may take place at any time between August and June, but the most considerable movements of the spawning shoals occur between January and May. Captain Hayes’s observations appear to indicate that Nature has provided this species with an instinctive knowledge of the right moment to etioose for the deposit of their spawn, for it has been found that when abnormally high tides have occurred the level of which would probably not be reached by’ subsequent . prmg tides, the fish have put off s'-awn-mg until, the tides have receded somel*>e egg stage may last about J 4 days, or it may be extended to as nearly’ four times that period. Ilns unique adaptation undoubtedly confers a great advantage upon this species in securing immunity from egg-devouring fishes or other aquatic creatures. But European settlement has introduced an element of danger not so to speak, anticipated by Nature. The eggs arc deposited on river banks in hundreds of thousands. Horses and cattle trampling over the ground have been shown to be responsible for the destruction of vast numbers of the eggs. Photographs taken by Captain Hayes indicate how this comes about. He stresses the necessity of taking steps to prevent this destruction by creating and maintaining spawning sanctuaries by fencing off known spawning areas to prevent the acee. s of cattle. The result of stmh action would be not only to prevent the destruction of eggs by tramp ing but also to permit the growth of herbage which is necessary to serve as cover for the spawn. In view of the considerable value of the whitebait fisheries it is highly important that something in this direction should be done.