Angling

Southland Times, Issue 19508, 6 May 1922, Page 10

Angling

(By

“Creel")

Last Sunday saw the end of the trout season, and many anglers ventured forth to have the final day in. pursuit of the “speckled beauties.” Unfortunately our popular • rivers were all too high and discoloured for I minnow or fly fishing. Consequently those j anglers visiting the Oreti, Aparima, and Makarewa were prepared, as a last resort, to tempt the fish with the worm for bait. As far as I can learn the results were only meagre, although some nice fish were caught on the minnow by some enthusiast* i the Hollyburn river. The Otapiri rewarded the fly fiaher with some nice bags, one local party of four rods creeling some 43 fish, which, although they were not very large, were very acceptable for the last day of the season. By the same token, the trout from this river are very palatable, and it is to be hoped that the stream will continue to be w.ell stocked, as it has had very heavv fishing. This season, many Winton anglers have to visit the stream, owing to the Oreti river being out of order. “Creel” visited the Makarewa, but as this river was far too high for successful fly fishing, operations were transferred to the Oreti river. This stream, however, was even worse than, the Makarewa, but some of the back-washes were tried, without any success. A beautiful batch of flies appeared about 2.30 p.m., a gauze-wing fly with a brown body being the predominant pattern, with a fair number of a. pure black fly, with large upright wings, interspersed among them. It was certainly very galling to observe this with the river in such a muddy state. I did not observe any fish rise to the flies. I admit; I was forced eventually to try the worm, but did not get even a nibble. (I hear some say, “lack of skill.”) So be it. Summing up the returns for the past season it is no use blinding our eyes to the fact, that taking it all round, it has not been a good one. To my mind we have arrived at a critical period of angling on Southland rivers. li we are to retain the splendid reputation out streams have made in the past, some special effort is needed to maintain and improve the quantity of trout in our rivers. The distribution of fry by the local society is not nearly sufficient to keep pace with the bags taken during the season. We know that the Society was handicapped by a poor stripping of ova, still, we want the Society to realise that extra special efforts will have to be made this coming spawning season. I write this, as I am jealous of the reputation of our rivers. One strong factor. I think, responsible for the depletion of fry put in the rivers, is the great number of large eels which inhabit the streams. This

season while fishing above -the Iron Briere, I had occasion ta ford the river just before dusk. In crooning over previously, I had noticed some snags at the top of the ford, and in returning observed what I thought was a large limb of a tree where I had not noticed it before. I was soon enlightened however, as my tree started a snake-like movement up stream. It was Mr Father Eel looking for his supper, and judging by his size, he would surely need a fair number of trout before being satisfied. I crossed the ford lower down. In a buck-wash at Lady Barkly, I noticed another big black monster, which must have weighed 351bs. to 401bs I did not fish that particular back-wash. I understand there is a proposition before the Acclimatisation Society, to procure a number of eel pots for distribution to the various Southland angling clubs, for use during the coming winter, and I wish to urge the various clubs to give the Society every assistance in their power. The food supply in oUr rivers is also a serious problem, and if we can have the indiscriminate netting of white-bait checked, much will have been done to overcome the difficulty. Some time last year I noticed a par in one of the West Coast papers, complaining that the trout were responsible for the diminished number of white bait running in the rivers, but, it stands to reason that the continued netting year after year mu&t be the chief cause of the depletion. Reviewing the Inter-Club Oreti River Competition held during the past. season, on the whole, they may be said to have been fairly satisfactory. The conditions, however, could be improved, and it is suggested that for next season, the first competition be held at Lumsden, then Dipton, Winton and Invercargill. By observing th*s method there will be a better opportunity of fixing the contests when the river is in good order, as the fishing about Lumsden is by far the best in the early part ot the season. In concluding this column for this season, J wish to thank all. those anglers who were kind enough to pass on Interesting information for the benefit of fishers in general, as it is the true sport that lets his pals know when he has struck a good “pcssie,” and is generous enough to give all and sundry the benefit of his information. This is then the end of my lay, The finis of a perfect fishing day B WINTON ANGLING CLUB A re-union of the progressive Winton Angling Club was held in Jamieson’s tea rooms on Friday evening last. There were close on 20 members present, the chair being occupied by the President (Mr J. A. Broom). After the loyal toast, Mr Broom referred to the activities of the Club during the past season and the interest taken in its welfare by members. The season had been a very successful one, one important contributing factor being the prohibiting of netting at the mouth of the river. Big fish were thus permitted to travel up stream and some weigh tv spotted specimens were successfully landed. A pleasing feature of the season was the friendly co-operation of neighbouring clubs, and the interest taken by members in the ' competitions. The President referred in appreciative terms to the splendid 'work of the genial secretary, Mr Arthur Hamilton, remarking that the Club’s best thanks were due to him The following toasts were duly honoured: “Kindred Sports,” by Rev. A. McNeur, responded to by Mr A. Cole; “Angling Club,” by Mr J. R. Hamilton, M.P., who eaid although it was rumoured that netting at the river mouth would be again permitted, the Club need have to fear in this respect. It would not be again allowed. Mr A. W. Hewitt responded; “The Ladies,” by Mr Larnach, responded to by Messrs A. Hamilton, J. Pagey and W. Brown; “Future Anglers,” by Mr G. Lindsay, responded to by Mr Broom.