ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 20633, 3 November 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

ANGLING

(By

“Creel.”)

Climatic condition for out-doors for last weekend, were of a more pleasant nature, but most of the rivers were carrying far too much water for other than worm fishing. Both the Aparima and Makarewa rivers, yielded some good bags to anglers using the “Gardenia” fly, and heavy trout up to 51bs. weight were recorded. From the former river recently, Mr. lan Talbot, (Ohai) caught a beutifully shaped rainbow trout weighing 11b. It was a perfect specimen, and had shown remarkable growth in comparison with the brown trout, as this species were only liberated in the Aparima River twelve months ago. It is to be hoptd that the rainbow remain in this river, and if this should happen, then there is some excellent trouting in prospect. From Duck Creek recently. Mr. E. Croad caught an 81bs. and 61bs. fish on the minnow lure. From the Aparima River last weekend at Wreys Bush, Mr. J. Ward and party secured 10 fish up to 3ilbs. Mr. H. Thompson at Thornbury caught 9 fish weighing 121b5.; Messrs. T. S. Mackie and W. Henderson 20 trout weighing 361bs; Messrs. C. and E. Blomfield 9 fish weighing 121bs; Mr. A. L. Whelham 4 fish, weighing 4Rbs,

and Mrs. W. Irvine two fish weighing Gibs. From the Otapiri Messrs. H. A. Lyons and T. Copeland caught 24 nice fly fish weighing 251bs, while from the Lora River Messrs. A. E. Butt, G. W. and H. Braxton had a total of 30 fly fish. Peveris, Red Heckum Peckum and Red Tag were killing patterns.' Messrs. G. Sise and A. Hamilton had some good sport on the Waimatuku recently, five fish averaging 2Rbs. being safely brought to the creel. Messrs. E. Keast and J. McCormack fishing the Makarewa River with the worm lure caught 30 fish, the heaviest turning the scales at Sjlbs. Mr. Donald Nelson had two trout 6Jlbs weight taken on the minnow. On the Lora Messrs. D. Wishart and A. Tapper caught a total of 17 good fly fish. Messrs. Lester Walker and D. Rance grassed a bag of 10 trout from the Dunsdale and Hedgehope streams, and the Wyndham River returned a good basket of 15 fish to Mr. F. Lindsay. From Lake Wakatipu some good heavy fish are being taken, Mr. Wilkinson landing seven weighing over 40 pounds. A party of North Invercargill anglers spent Labour Day on the Mataura River and bagged a tally of 50 trout on the worm lure. The bag averaged IJlbs. and the complement of five anglers were delighted with the catch. They report that this river is well stocked with trout* A fishing competition run by the. Gore Angling Club was held recently. The day was fine and the sport good. There were nine competitors, and 130 fish were caught the heaviest being 4 Jibs. The competitors principally chose the Waimea Stream and the Mataura River, and any legal bait was allowed. The following was the result, the figures in parentheses showing the handicap' of each competitor:— John Tinnock, 16 fish, 291 b 12|oz (40%), 411 b 12£oz 1 F. Hoffman, 17 fish, 251 b lljoz (35%), 341 b lljoz 2 H. Graham, 16 fish, 191 b 15oz (35%), 261 b 15oz 3 H. Halliday, 21 fish, 191 b Boz (10%), 211 b Boz 4 V. Barraclough, 14 fish, 131 b 4oz (50%), 191 b 12oz 5 C. Matthews, 9 fish, 101 b 7oz (50%), 151 b 7oz 6 W. McKenzie, 12 fish, 11.90 z (30%), 141 b 9oz 7 Jas. Tinnock, 14 fish, 131 b lOoz (scr) 131 b lOoz 8 A. E. Boult, 11 fish, 101 b soz (scr), 101 b soz 9. HINTS FOK THE NOVICE ON TACKLE The utmost care should be taken in selecting good and new season’s gut. For clear water, natural gut is most suitable, but drawn gut X, XX, XXX, and XXXX is now largely used. One X is the heaviest and XXXX the finest generally used, although for very thin clear waters some expert fly fishermen use a gossamer cast. Various dyes are used to stain gut, and on infusion of strong tea, with the gut steeped in it for half an hour, does away with much of the glitter and gives a neutral tint. The casts should be kept in a book, and exposed to the light as little as possible. In making up a cast it needs to be well soaked in warm water, otherwise it is brittle. Lay the ends of two strands side by side, then form a loop with each of the short ends of the gut, and pass the end through twice, making two half-hitches round the line. Now draw them tight and pull together. This is the wellknown “Fisherman’s Knot,” frequently used in attaching dropper flies. If the halfhitches are used single the waste ends should not be cut too close.

The “Jamb Knot” is one of the simplest and most perfect ways of securing eyed-hooks. These can be fastened, complete in a few seconds, owing to the hookeye being only of sufficient size to allow the gut to pass through, making a small and neat knot. Take the fly by the bend between the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, with the eye turned upwards. Pass two or three inches of gut through the eye towards the point of the hook, then double back the gut- and make a single slip knot. Draw the sliding knot sufficiently tight, so as to just allow of its passing- over the hook-eye, then run it down to and over the edge, pulling gradually until it becomes tight; thus forming a neat and strong fastening. The end of the reel line is passed through the gut loop, round it, then down through the loop again, forming a figure 8; then drawn. This method has the advantage of forming a compact little knot, and at the same time is quite easily loosened, even in darkness.

A landing net is very essential for most rivers and is almost universally used. The best to use is an extention net with ;a collapsible handle and knuckle joints, so that when not in use it can be easily carried by slipping the handle down the inside of the creel strap or belt round the waist, thus allowing free use of both hands to wet or dry flyfishers alike.

Rods when put together or unmounted in their covers ought never to be placed against a wall, as they are likely to warp. The rod cover should be kept dry. A little vaseline occasionally rubbed on the joints of the rod, often saves valuable time and trouble. Well-waxed thread, or quarterinch broad linen tape should always be included in the angler’s equipment; breakages may occur miles from any place of repair.