ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 20771, 11 May 1929, Page 9

ANGLING

(By “Creel”). “Yes, it was the biggest fish I have ever hooked—and before I realized it I was pulled clean out of the boat!” “You must have got a nasty wetting.” “Not a bit of it. You see, I fell on the fish.” —Argonaut” (U.S.A.) Tuesday the 30th ultimo saw the end of the 1928-29 angling season, and a very fair number of trout were captured during the last few days. Especially did the Mataura river yield some good bags, the heaviest trout recorded being a 161bs Jack fish caught by Mr Gordon McDonald at Mataura. There was some doubt expressed as to the species of this specimen, it being rumoured that the fish was of the Quinnat Salmon breed, but on inspection by competent authorities, it was definitely placed as a male trout. Still it was a noteworthy capture by a young angler. During the last week several Gore anglers had some excellent sport, the following enthusiasts being prominent on the river; Messrs R. Allison, A. D. Crawford, A. Shivas, Jas. Tinnock, Jas. Hoffman, Frank Hoffman, H. Halliday, W. McKenzie, W. F. de Roo, A. Ferguson, and W. Speden. Our local Oreti river also was in good trim and nice fly bags were obtained by Messrs J. Louden (including a 81bs and BJlbs in his bag), I. Copeland, (a 74 lbs being in pride of place), H. L. Tapley, R. Sinclair, R. Hazley, W. Hewitt, Neil R. McKay and P. Donnelly. From the Aparima river, Messrs H. A. Lyons, T. Copeland, H. Geddes and H. Sutton caught some good trout up to olbs weight. Messrs T. S. Mackie, W. Henderson, G. F. Strang, and T. Mackie Jnr., had some splendid sport on the dry fly. The Makarewa river was fished by Messrs II and G. W. Braxton for six brace of trout up to olbs weight, Hardy’s Favourite being the killing pattern. Taking the final fishing generally it can be safely placed as being very satisfactory. A short review of the past season will probably be welcomed by local anglers, and it can be classed as a fair season, only, as very often the rivers were out of order when the climatic conditions were suitable, and vice versa. One pleasing factor is that there has been a larger number of heavy

trout captured in the fall season than for some time, several captures of trout from ten pounds upwards being recorded. On the other hand, there is generally noticed in various districts, the heavy toll taken from all our rivers, large or small, by the “sunk” worm worker? That some restriction will have to be placed on this style of fishing is surely gaining ground, and this action should be taken immediately. If it means a

loss of revenue for the local society, this would be compensated forb y the fact that less ova would be required for our local rivers, leaving the society then a comfortable margin for selling purposes. As it has been consistently stated that the selling of ova is necessary to square the ledger, then surely the extra revenue would more than pay for the absence of the confirmed “sunk” worm and “oyster” license holder. This old fashioned inhabitant of Southland is gradually dying out, and a new school of artificial bait fishers is being slowly evolved, but owing to the scarcity of fish in many pools in our rivers, it is very difficult to produce the goods for a novice angler when one tempts them to buy the necessary gear and license. The antiquated idea of starting boys off on the worm lure is a thing of the past, the most satisfactory procedure being to put him straight to the fly work, and it Is safe to say, that after one or two seasons, he becomes a more sporting and skilled angler. Start them right and they will keep right. In this connection some valuable assistance could be made by the Southland Anglers’ Club by holding lectures and instruction classes during the winter months. It is hoped that the President Mr Walker, will induce his executive to have this suggested procedure become an established fact.

One interesting item picked tip recently by the writer while visiting Gore was the fact that the Gore Anglers’ Club has insisted on a 12 inch limit in all its competitions and if the Oreti river progresses as it is predicted it will by the responsible authorities, then the local club should follow the Gore Club’s lead. One is not inclined to finalize these notes without once more bringing to the notice of local anglers the desirability of setting aside the Otapiri, Lora, and Dunsdale streams as fly streams only. In the North Island it has been found necessary and it is no great hardship for Southland anglers to concede this privilege to our local fly enthusiasts. On concluding this column for the season, “Creel” Wishes to thank all those anglers for information suitable for publication also to “Jock Scott” for his laudatory remarks, and hopes that next season we will all be able to renew our acquaintance with the “bonny brook.” The final competition for the season so far as the Mataura Angling Club is concerned was held during the previous week end, when the conditions were any stream, any legal bait, reports the Mataura Ensign. The weather which had remained fine for some days broke on Saturday afternoon and few enthusiasts ventured out. The Mataura was the favoured stream, all confining their interests to this river, which was in rather low but clear condition. Only three competitors weighed in, the winner, Mr Hal. Anderson, submitting an exceptionally fine basket of fish, which turned the scale at 22 pounds 4 ounces. Mr Sam Sleeman was runner-up with a basket of eight fish weighing six pounds. Two fish weighing 31bs Uozs were brought in by Mr H. Cattrell, which entitled him to third place. I