ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 19

ANGLING

(By

“Creel."

Climatic conditions were again fairly pleasant for last week-end, and although the larger rivers were rather too full of snow water for minnow and fly fishing, the smaller streams were found to be in good fly order. The trout were found to be generally rising “short,” and any trout tempted to the fly here, were only enticed by the exercise of skilful fishing. The Makarewa has been in really good trim for the past ten days, and some good heavy fish have been taken from this river on the “natural” and artificial minnow lures, the following anglers being successful in securing some fine specimens, Messrs. J. Nisbet, whose catch included an 8A lb fish; T. Boyce, who also had a fish of about 8 lbs in his bag; J. W. Smith and R. Horman, whose take included a beautiful specimen, tipping the scales at 9 lbs. On the Oreti river Mesdames Horman and Cole, caught 8 nice trout each. From the Waiau Messrs J. and W. Aitken were rewarded with only 6 fish, and were disappointed in not hooking any large specimens. The Orawia was visited by Messrs. J. Collie, M. McAlister, and J. Halliday, but only two trout of about 3 lbs weight were grassed with the minnow lure. The fish would not rise to any extent to the different fly lures presented. The Wyndham is reported to be well stocked with trout, and recently Messrs C. MacPherson caught 25 fish on the “worm” lure, weighing 40 lbs. Mr T. Murray was rewarded with 12 averaging 1 lb. each. “Creel” grassed nine fish averaging the same weight on the Male March Brown fly from the Otapiri. An esteemed Limehills correspondent “H.J.8.” kindly reports that some very fair bags have been taken from the Oreti river in the vicinity of Lady Barkly. Mr Horace Grimwood recently caught a nice tally of 20 trout, ranging from 3 lbs to 1 lbs., and the fish were all in splendid condition. District anglers have also been fairly successful on the Otapiri, Dk. Red Spinner, March Brown and Samuel being foufld to be effective flies. “Creel” thanks “H.J.8.” and hopes to receive further com unication during the course of the present season. The Mataura Ensign reports that during the week-end many local angling enthusiasts tried their luck on the various streams about the district, but evidently the fish were not rising Only one big bag has been reported.

Messrs T. Daly, J. Tinnock, H. Dusting and G. Richardson, fishing below Mataura, secured 29 good fish. Included in the catch were three four-poundera, while the smallest fish turned the scale at lib. Mr Tinnock reports that the fish were rising well. Mr T. Daly had the good luck to hook two fish at once, and he succeeded in landing both—one turned the scale at about 31bs and the other at Hlbs. The swollen condition of the district rivers militated against strong entries and heavy baskets being recorded in connection with the first of this season’s trout fishing competitions arranged by Wyndham Angling Club for Wednesday thia week, all

day states the Wyndham Herald. As a matter of fact, only two competitors weighed in at the stipulated time. John Young (10 per cent handicap), who whipped the Mimihau, registered 15 fish, weighing 131 b 12oz; and James Gregory (scratch) secured 13 fish from the Wyndham, weighing 101 b 6oz. Young thus won first prize, without recourse to his handicap. On the bank of the Mataura, in the vicinity of Mr Peter Campbell’s “Crescent” farm, Messrs Joseph Kirby and James Robertson secured a nice basket of 7 trout, weighing 1431 b all about the same size. This duo, who did not enter for the competition, report arduous sport, as the fish were not “taking” readily. A correspondent of the Dominion writes: “Apropos of the octopus found in the Te Aro Baths on Wednesday, it was reported that to get into the baths it would have had to crawl through an opening twp inches wide, or climb over the wall—a doubtful feat. Once when fishing from a launch in Queen Charlotte Sound I caught a sixfooter (diameter) of the species. This octopus was placed on the floor of the boat and fishing proceeded. Shortly after one of the party required bait, but the fish had disappeared. A search was made in the after locker, where it was found. The only opening available to the fish was about an inch wide. It was a mystery to us. Has anyone ever seen an octopus crawl through a narrow aperture?”

“How the octopus manages this sort of thing we don’t pretend to know,” comments “T.D.H.” in the Dominion, “but Major Fitzurse informs us that on his last yachting cruise in the Bahamas for the terrapin fishing the Major woke up in the small hours of the night to find a gigantic sea serpent with its forchns on the bunk, gazing fixedly at him over the edge of the blankets. Despite the door and the scuttle being hooked-to, the sea serpent had spirited its way in somehow. How it got out the Major does not know, as his fishing license was only for terrapin, and, not being in terested in sea serpents, he happened to put his head under the blankets just then, and the unwelcome intruder had disappeared before the steward and the bar-keeper came rushing in. The facts, however, were recorded in the log of the vessel, the steam yacht Bacchus, and a report duly made to the port officer at Rum Bay, which was the Major’s base during this expedition.” EASTERN DISTRICT STREAMS. Gore district anglers had a quiet time over last week-end, the only stream to produce good bags being the Mataura. This river is in good order for worm fishing, but it will be some time yet before it will be clear enough for the fly or minnow. The Waikaia is still a little above normal through the snow melting. Waikaia residents state that there is more snow on the high country this year than for many years past. Until the snow clears, the river will not be right for the fly. The Waimea is in good order, and fish are reported to be both plentiful and in good condition. Being a sluggish stream with few ripples, it requires a wind to make the conditions favourable. The weed in this stream will cause anglers a lot of anxiety, as with a few more weeks of fine weather the weed will be at the top. The best killing flys for use on this river at present are the Red Spinner and the Red Tip Governor. The Otamita is much lower this year than it was last year, and the writer cannot recall ever seeing so much green slime in this river at such an early period in the season. Trout are plentiful, but are on the small side. Early morning fishing with the creeper in deep holes yields the best results.

The Waipahi is in good order with plenty of fish and of good size. Although this stream is regarded as being moody, anglers: have been securing fair bags. The best killing flies are the Samuel and Jessie No. 2. It has been reported that set lines are being freely used on the Mataura, and that in a number of cases fish are being taken by non-license holders. With a view to preventing illegal fishings members of the Gore and District Anglers’ Club have arranged to make a patrol of the river. J. Tinnock and party secured 43 fish, the heaviest weighing s£lbs as the result of two visits to the river below Mataura. R. Allison also secured a bag of 18 during the present week, th© heaviest tipping the scale at 2|lbs.