ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 19634, 30 September 1922, Page 13 (Supplement)

ANGLING

“THE STREAM.” (By “Creel.”) ; I rise at the foot of ranges, mid rockls and the waving pine, Past swamps w’here the osier willows just sway to the mountain wind. Where the rushes tall and the cresses grow, and flower to the very brink, Where horses roam, and the cattle wild go, down for their evening drink. Thro’ the gleaming, mass of waving fern, where the w’ood-duck loves to dwell. Where the wild boar sleeps in the bracken grey, afar from the sunbeam’s light, And feeds in the glades of the murky shades, just pierced by the stars at night; And down the gorges steep I rush, where shadows bar the way, And dash in my pride ’gainst the rocky side ’mid foam and the rainbow spray. And as I glide, whate’er betide, by rock and pool I’m dashing, Where the big trout lie in the depths below, and the fry on the shallow splashing; Thro’ meadows and down, past village and town; I gather my strength as I go And bent with the stream where the night lights gleam, O’er the harbour far below, Where the vessels rock ’neath the billows’ shock, And the mariner finds a grave, ’Mid turmoil and strife, I end my life In the foam of the ceaseless wave. —H. Southey, In N.Z. Oui-of-Doors. Hail! brother anglers, hail! To-morrow, the first of October, sees the opening of the 1922-23 angling season, and at time of writing the prospedte are good for an enjoyable and auspicious opening day. On making inquiries, I am informed that the price of fishing tackle shows only a slight reduction in prices, so that most anglers will be forced to be careful and economical with their angling gear. To assist them in this purpose, I intend to publish from time to time in this column valuable hints and inforihation on the treatment and manufacture (in a minor way) of the gear used most frequently in pursuit of the “speckled beauties.” I was very pleased indeed to read Red Spinner’s letter in the paper of Thursday morning. The facts as slated by him are absolutely correct, and all Southland anglers can testify as to the veracity of his statements. There is no doubt we are up against the commercial interests, who are endeavouring to have the netting of trout re-established, and from the observations made by the Government official, “Johnnie Government” is wanting to increase, his revenue on any pretext whatever, and the interests of legitimate anglers can go hang. The time is coming, perhaps, when the Acclimatisation Societies will have a big fight to retain then* rights, the Government, now that the societies are reaping the fruits of the early labours, labours of love by the way, will try some day to filch their whole business, lock, stock, and barrel, for revenue purposes. If that should come to pass, and the acclimatisation work should come purely under Government control, then sportsmen would not get the consideration they do now. That at least is my idea. I may be wrong, but, man, “Tm dou’tfull.” For the benefit of anglers new to our district I append a short glossary of our most popular district streams. THE ORETI (OR NEW RIVER). Nearest water about five miles from Post Office by road to Otatara. Minnow and natural bait fishing. The. “Iron Bridge,” about nine miles away, is another handy Stretch of water, suitable for minnow and worm fishing in the early part of season. After Christmas good fly fishing is to be obtained. For fly fishing at opening of season it is best to travel as far as Lady Barkly and onwards by road or rail. Good flies generally are Priest, Hardy’s Favourite, Peveril, Haggard, and Red Waipahi. THE APARIMA. Nearest water at. Thornbury junction, by road or rail. Minnow and natural bait most successful in lower reaches. For fly-fishing about Hazlett’s and upwards most, suitable. Good flies for opening are Red Tip, Governor, Hardy’s, Peveril, Red Waipahi, Red Spinner, and Black Pom ah aka. THE MAKAREWA. Nearest good water about 8 miles away by road or rail. Suitable for minnow, natural, and fly-fishing. At night, the “bully” is a deadly bait. Some fine trout in this river, their culinary qualities being superior to any other in Southland. Best results obtained in the first three months of season as the “duck weed” takes charge about Christmas time. Good minows are: Eelskin, cocoon, and gold devon. Effective flies are: Red and Purple Grouse, Irish March Brown, Jessie No. 4, and McCarthy’s Gauze Wing. THE WAIAU. By rail about 51 miles from Invercargill to Te Tua or Tuatepere is nearest water. Minnow fishing at the mouth. Every prospect of anglers hooking Atlantic salmon as there is eevry reason to believe he is there, brothers. Salmon flies will probably tempt’ him, and I am anticipating hearing of some good fish being landed shortly. THE OTAPIRI. A fine fly stream about 40 miles from Invercargill by road. A 10ft fly rod is ample. Good flies are: March Brown, Purple Grouse, Red Waipahi, Sam Slick, and Peveril. THE DUNSDALE. A small fly stream about 24 miles from Invercargill by road through Hedgehope. Small fly rod necessary and fine gear. Effective flies are: Red Heckum Peckum, Hardy’s, Red Waipahi, and practically any fancy flies will tempt them. Small fish, but very delectable. MATAURA ANGLERS’ CLUB. The annual meeting of the Mataura Anglers’ Club* was held on Tuesday night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, the president (Mr P. Amos) presiding over an attendance of 25 members. Apologies were received from the Otago and Southland Acclimatisation Societies, the Southland Anglers’ Club, and Mr M. Maley. The annual report and balance-sheet were submitted as follows: In submitting the seventeenth annual report and balance-sheet your committee has much pleasure in congratulating the club on another successful year. The first of the competitions was held on the week-end preceding Labour Day. The open competition was won by Mr H. C-otterill with 75 fish, weighing s libs, Mr J. Adam being second vrith 42 fish, weighing 40lbs, and Mr D. McGowan third with 35 fish, weighing 28Ibs. The novice competition was won by Mr A. McKinnell with 40 fish. 211bs weight. In the open competition a prize for the best average basket was won by Mr T. Gaudion with eight fish, weighing

The second competition was held on December 27, when the open event was won by Mr E. Duncan with 50 fish, weighing 33Ibs soz, Mr H. Cottercll being second with 20 fish, 2 libs 4oz, and Mr T. Gaudion third with four fish, 21bs 6oz. The last of the competitions was Held on April 14, and resulted in a win for Mr D. Cameron with 18 fish, weighing 141bs, Mr D. McGowan being second with 15 fish, 81bs weight, and Mr H. Cottcrell third with 13 fish, weighing 10Jibs. The Wm. Anderson Memorial Cup, for the best aggregate basket for the season, was won by Mr H. Cottercll with 112 fish, weighing 861bs 13oz. The triangular competition between Southland, Wyndham and Mataura was held on the Wyndham river, and resulted in the Mataura Club being the holders of the cup for the season. After the weigh-in the Wnydham Club entertained the visitors to a social hour. The balance-sheet shows that the finances of the club are in a flourishing condition, as wc enter tee new season with a credit balance of £22 8/4. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said the club was in a very satisfactory position, the balance-sheet being a highly creditable one. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mr W. Leitch; vice-presidents, Messrs D. Cameron, M. Maley and J. Henry; secretary, Mr J. McErlean; treasurer, Mr D. McGowan; auditor, Mr W. Allison; judge of competitions, Mr M. Maley; committee, Messrs' E. J. Cameron, P. Amos, J. Adam, J. Duncan, T. Gaudion, H. Cotterell and C. D. McConnell, Messrs D. Hope, G. A. Watson, T. F., Quilter, and A. Anderson were appointed honorary members, and Mr J. Mitchell was elected a life member. Mr H. Cotterell brought up the matter of holding an anglers’ picnic. He had communicated with the Otago Acclimatisation .Society inquiring if it would allow ladies to fish for one day on men’s licenses, and it had replied that, permits would be issued free of charge for- such purpose provided the club supplied the names of the ladies that would be fishing. The matter was left in the hands of the committee to deal with.