ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 19658, 7 October 1922, Page 13 (Supplement)

ANGLING

(By “Creel.”) “KEEP A GOIN'.” If you strike a thorn or rose, Keep a goin’; If it hails, or if it snows. Keep a goin’ ; ’Taint- no use to sit and whine When the. fish ain’t on your line: Bait your hook an’ keep on tryin'; Keep a goin’. The opening morning of the season was ushered in with a decidedly keen nip in the air, consequent on the easterly conditions existing. There was no doubt a “bite” in the air, if the bites were not nearly so decided in the rivers. However, taking everything big and large, we can safely vote the opening of the season satisfactory, a prominent reason for our satisfaction being the capture by Mr Geo. Cooke, Tuatapere, of two Allantic salmon on the cocoon minnow’ in the Waiau. The weights of the fish were 51bs and 31bs each. Mr Mclntosh, Orawia, also landed an Atlantic salmon, which w r as slightly heavier than Mr Cooke’s. As far as I can learn there were a good many rods on the Waiau which drew blanks. Most of the fish that were caught were landed on the Papatotara side of the river. The Oreti river was patchy, very fair hags being secured on some reaches, while in other stretches results were very poor. The Otapiri and Makarcwa were “duds,” the former yielding very meagre returns to those anglers who whipped this stream. I believe a ilaxmill has commenced operations on (he banks of the Otapiri, but I have no doubt our local Acclimatisation Society will take good care that the. stream will not be polluted by drainings and refuse from the mill. The Makarcwa was pretty low and clear, and the weed shows a very strong growth, being about six wrecks advanced towards its blooming, in comparison to former seasons. Poor bags were recorded from this stream, the best I heard of being 6 fish killed on the Irish March Brown fly. The heaviest fish was about IJlbs. Following are some of the catches recorded on the opening day. Three rods fishing the Mararo (a tributary of the Waiau) 14 fish averaging 61bs; heaviest fish 91bs; all taken on the minnow. Messrs J. Smith and T. Boyce. 14 fish taken from the Aparima, heaviest fish 4.? lbs, killed on the Perfection minnow. Mr E. Croad, 9 fish on the same river, killed on the Red Tip Governor and Irish March Brown fly. Mr Geo Dennis, fishing the same river writh the minnow and lloatjng worm, 14 fish, heaviest about 41bs. Messrs Arthur Hamilton and J. Pagey on the Oreti above Centre Bush 28 and 27 respectively, taken on the Never Fail and Red Tip Governor flies. Mr J. Sparks, on the same river at Dipton creeled 21 fish, heaviest 2 libs. Pomahaka and Holland’s Fancy were the most effective flies. Mr Jas Laing, 15 fish at Lochiel, mostly killed on the Red Waipahi and Dk. Red Spinner Hies. Messrs Ensell, C. Chamberlain, M. Schroch, and H. Braxton, five fish from three to six pounds, taken on the minnow from the Waiau. Says the Wyndham Farmer:—Shallow’ streams and clear water made “the gentle art’’ a rather stiff proposition for those devotees of the rod and line who whipped the banks of the local streams on October 1, (he opening day of the trout-fishing season. All things considered, the “bags" that, have come under out notice go to prove that the waters are well stocked with trout, and all caught were in excellent condition. On the Upper Minuhau, Mr Gerald Bogue accounted for 17 fish, Mr Joe Hayes 15, Mr Richard Johnstone 8, Mr Fred Lindsay 8, and Mr John Green 7. On the lower reaches of the same stream, Mr A. A. Aitken secured 11, Mr Phil Richmond 10, and Mr W. Sheehan 4. From the ripples of the 1 Wyndham stream, Mr Arch. Gregory took a nice bag of 17, w’lrile Mr G. J. C. Smart got 12. The Winton Record reports that in the Winton district the weather conditions were ' favourable, and the large army of anglers ■ secured good average baskets. Several record grassing close on 20. The fish are reported to be in good condition for the first part of the seasn. S far as we can learn (says the Tuatapere Guardian) anglers at Waiau Mouth , have met. but poor luck since the season i opened, more than one experienced fisher- ; man having to rest content with an empty i creel. The Dickson party, from Otautau, appears to have been rhe most successful, securing some six or seven fish, the heaviest weighing ftlbs. Mr George Cook, of Papatotara, who has earned renown before today for hw skill with the rod, landed two small salmon of 3Mbs and 51bs on the opening day. Most of the fish, were caught in the breakers. The presence of quite a number of snags at the river's edge is greatly to the disadvantage of anglers and in fairness to license-holders the Acclimatisation Society rhnuld take steps to have these obstructions removed. Mr Arthur Hamilton, who last year acted as secretary of (he Winton Angling Club and who has now been transferred to the staff of the Southland Farmers’ Co-op., In- i vercargi.il, was met by members of the Club I on Saturday evening. Mr J. A. Brown on : behalf of the anglers, presented Mr Ilamil- ! ton with a fisherman’s fly-book with in- j scription plate thereon. The speaker re- j ferred to the capable and obliging way Mr i Hamilton had carried out his secretarial duties and to his enthusiasm as an angler. Mr Broom’s remarks were endorsed by Messrs Larnach and D. Jenkins. Mr Hamilton, in acknowledging the gift, said he very much appreciated the kind sentiments. He wished the Club a very successful year. I am pleased to publish the following j letter. I presume 'Red Spinner" fished the Oreti river:— “Dear Creel, —On behalf of the many angling readers of your notes, allow me to thank you for conducting the angling column of the Southland Times, and thereby bringing under the notice of anglers so much interesting matter pertaining to their particular sport. The first of October would have many disciples of Isaac Walton worshipping in (he “Great out Doors.” Although the conditions were not the best from an angler's viewpoint, to be alongside the stream on such a day made up for the lightness of the creel. Of course the lure of water enticed yours truly—for when you have been doing a certain thing for over twenty years it- kind of grows upon you, and not to be out on the first would feel almost as bail as missing your breakfast. Three rods accounted for a trifle over three dozen fish, nothing over a pound the majority taken with floating worm. I tried the fly for a considerable time, but without adequate results, the fish evidently bottom feeding owing to the presence of snow water. I would like you to see a couple of rods: “The N.Z. Sports Manufacturing C 0.,” Auckland, sent me down on appro. They are split cane, steel centres, hand-made to order, and carry a good service guarantee. The two principals are from Handy’s works and know the manufacture of rods from A to Z, and hope to be able to supply an article equal to the best and at considerably less ’ cost; the.ir overhead expenses being compartively small. The rods j “Russell” No 1 and 2 in weight and balance are betweeiF “Handy’s, Halford and Tournament’s." The rods arc beautifully finished but I am rather too old a bird to judge a rod on its appearance only. I wanted to try them with and against the wind, casting the fly. However, both come through the trials with honour and I can only add that anyone who desires to get the most pleasure out of his sport and can afford the best, to get one built to his liking and help a New Zealand industry to make good. The usual Labour Day competition was arranged for at the annual meeting of the Southland Club. The conditions are any legal bait, and legitimate members of other clubs, on payment of entrance fee, can compete. Entries close with the secretary, c/o A. and W. McCarthy, on Saturday, October 21, at 9 p.m.; hours of fishing from 7 a.m. until weigh-in. Town competitors may way in at A. and W. McCarthy’s, Dee street, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on October 23. Country competitors must have catches recorded by a constable, J.F. or stationmaster before 9 p.m. The following is the prizelist for the competition:—lst prize trophy, value £1 1/-, presented by Messrs A. and W. McCarthy; 2nd prize trophy, value

10/6, VV. Hyndman .and Co.; 3rd prize, pair plaques presented by Messrs Johnston Sons, and Co., Dunedin; 4th prize., heaviest bag for novice, trophy, value £1 1/-, presented by Mr A. E. Butt. JUNIOR COMPETmON. Heaviest Bag:—First prize trophy, value £1 1/-, presented by Mr A. E. Butt; second prize, largest number of fish, trophy, value 10/6. presented by Mr T. S. Mackie; third prize, heaviest fish, trophy, value 10/6, presented by Mr T. S. Mackie. The term “junior member" applies to boys who hold a 5/- license and become a member of the Club on the payment of an entrance fee of one shilling. WATERPROOFING PROCESS. For waterproofing a light canvas or drill tent, observe the following method. Take equal parts of alum and sugar-of-lead, a quart or more c f »*ach to several buckets of tepid water. .>oak well in above solution. turning encn and spread out to dry. To preserve a landing net soak it in linseed oil. shake out well all excess oil, stretch the net and dry it thoroughly. This will add to its life. RED SPINNER.”