ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

ANGLING

(By “Creel.”) Sunny conditions with an easterly wind prevailed for last week-end, and some very fair, bags are reported to have been captured. In the upper waters of the Oreti river, a slight “fresh” was experienced on Sunday, and the Aparima river was also affected with the green slime and weed, removed apparently by the swollen waters. However, the clean-out will undoubtedly do both rivers a lot of good. In the waters at Castle Rock on the Oreti river, Messrs T. S. Mackie, W. Henderson and J. Speirs had some excellent sport on the fly, the “take,” including a 6lb trout killed by Mr Mackie. At Thompson’s Crossing, Messrs J. and R. Ure grassed seven and a half brace, while at Oporo, Messrs G. and H. Braxton secured a dozen fly fish, mostly killed on the Red Grouse fly. Messrs J. Kirkland and A. Manson caught about the same number in the upper waters above the railway bridge. Some splendid fly water is now available in this locality, and it should be an ideal spot for a half day’s excursion. From the Aparima, Mr A. L. Whelham landed a nice 2|lb and. a fish on the fly, but the floating weed then made operations difficult for the balance of the day. The Mat aura river continues to hold a large number of fish, and anglers are experiencing some good “playings” from heavy specimens. Over the week-end a novice “fly” fisherman landed an eight-pounder. Messrs F. Crosbie and G. Scott caught a good bag, Male March Brown and Dark Red Spinner being the best killing patterns. At Mataura Island, Messrs H. Rout and E. Russell were rewarded with six brace of trout averaging 21bs, most of which were killed on the Anderson fly. Given suitable conditions, this river should again show some good returns for this week-end. In conversation with a local angler who is desirous of encountering some of our famous sea-run trout on the Oreti river, advice was asked as to the best locality in which to conduct the search, and from the writer’s personal experience the following localities seem to be favoured by the trout travelling in shoals during their annual migratory excursion. With the first “fresh” in the river the trout are usually to be encountered from the iron bridge to Wilson’s Crossing. W T ith the next “fresh” they seem to arrive in the waters from Lochiel to Winton. Their next “resting” pools seem to be from Lady Barkly to Centre Bush. Following another “spate,” their favoured waters appear to be from Benmore to Dipton, and subsequently from Stag Creek to Josephville, and in this locality a good number run up the various creeks and side streams to the natural spawning beds. At the present time fair numbers of heavy sea-run trout are known to be in the vicinity of Lochiel. Sise’s pool at the North Gate is reported to be particularly well stocked. Any angler fortunate enough to “get in” before the poacher arrives on thq scene should be able to secure some heavy specimens.

The following is the result of the competition held on the Waikaia river for Messrs H. and J. Smith’s medal by members of the Gore Angling Club — H. Graham, 12 fish, 91b (handicap 71b), total 161 b 940 z, 1. G. Young, 12 fish, 81b loz (handicap 81b 8oz), total 161 b 9oz, 2. F. Hoffman, 7 fish, 41b 6oz (handicap 41b 8oz), total 81b 14oz, 3. The prize for the heaviest fish landed was won by H. Graham, with a fish of 11b 14joz weight. The Tauranga launch Kingfish, with Messrs Hunt, R. Merrieless, J. Mellish and J. Pease on board, returned last week from Mayor Island, reports the Auckland Weekly. The party caught a swordfish, which, when weighed the day after being captured, was 4171 b. It fought for four hours and gave a thrilling display. The anglers report that swordfish are numerous. The following are the latest catches on the Bay of .Islands deep sea fishing grounds: Mr A. E. O’Meara, Hastings, two swordfish, 3001 b and 3651 b, launch Phyllis; Mr Kimball, Salisbury, Chicago, hammerhead shark, 2501 b, Alma G.; Mr W. S. Lamb, New South Wales, hammerhead shark, 3131 b, Rosemary; Mr R. H. Thompson, Auckland, mako, 601 b, Doris; Mr W. Morton Anderson, England, swordfish, 3181 b, Rosemary. A party comprising Messrs W. Snow, V. Wylie, W. Woodward and “Joe” Pullar, visited the Mataura river for the week-end and were rewarded with 13 good fish for their efforts. The heaviest specimen weighed 71bs and was taken on the Peveril of the Peak fly by Mr Pullar, who, despite the absence of gaff or net, made vigorous and successful efforts to eventually “land” the “kill.”

In response to an enquiry from “Juvenile Angler” the following hints on dry-fly fishing are respectfully submitted. DRY FLY-FISHING. Dry fly-fishing has hitherto been very little practised in local rivers, but is rapidly becoming more general. The best course for the. novice to adopt is to watch an expert, if possible, for a few days. In dry fly-fishing the rod should be about eleven feet long and possessed of plenty of driving power, with a tapered reel-line and the gut cast tapered also. The flies should be dressed on eyed hooks for many reasons, and to see the collection of a dry fly-fisher proper is interesting in the extreme, not only for the many different specimens but for the correct imitations of the natural flies themselves in the minutest details. ENTOMOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE DESIRABLE. The use of these flies demands that tin? angler should have some considerable knowledge of entomology, and at a glancw be able to recognize the actual fly that a rising fish is feeding on. This is by no means easily ascertained by the unskilled, and generally ends with the angler having to secure the natural fly, and even then much time is taken up in comparing thr natural with the artificial to select the correct pattern. When you have done this tie the fly on the end of the cast, then dip it overhead in a small bottle of prepared paraffin, then cast on to the water to wash the oil off again, then whisk the fly backwards and forwards in the air half-a-dozen times to dry it thoroughly. Approach a rising fish from below to within nice casting distance, aim at an imaginary point in the air about four feet above where the fish is rising, so as to ascertain the length of line required. Cast slightly above the fish, allowing the fly to float naturally over him; if there is no response, allow the fly to float a couple of yards below him before lifting off the water, so as not to disturb him ; then dry the fly by whisking in the air before casting over him again. Much skill is required in this method of casting, and great care must be taken so that the line does not drag the fly when cast over the fish. HOW THE FLY MUST ALIGHT. It is obvious that the fly must alight on the water with its wings cocked up; but should it fall sideways, let it drift well below the fish before lifting it to dry again These floating flies, the majority of which are double winged, generally alight on the water as desired. The greatest difficulty is in preventing the line dragging the fly, as, if it does so, the result is disastrous. Sometimes a dropper fly is also used, but I strongly advocate the use of one fly only. When you have either secured the fish or put him down, you proceed up the river to look for another rising fish, when a repetL tion of this process is gone through again. Dry fly-fishing works to advantage in pools and slow-running water, with or without a ripple; but in the former case the angler must be extremely cautious in approaching the fish, and always fish up stream. The reel line should be well rubbed with deer fat, and it will thus float better on the surface of the water. In casting over a fish, it is well to have the reel line rather slack when the fly alights, thus preventing the line dragging the fly. Should the fish rise and take the fly, strike rather quietly and gently. FAMILIAR FLOATING FLIES. The number of floating flies are too great for me to mention here, but I name a few

favourites, dressed with two pair of wings: Grenwell’s Glory, March Brown, Blue Dun, Black Spider, quill or dark brown body; Red Quill Knat, Red Spinner, Black Gnat, Artful Dodger, Red Tip Governor, etc.