ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 20897, 5 October 1929, Page 18

ANGLING

(By

“Creel.”)

For the opening day anglers were greeted with most satisfactory climatic conditions. Reports are to hand of some very fino bags being captured, especially from tho streams in the Eastern District. The Mimihau river was in fine trim and several limit bags were taken, mostly by “dabbling” the top fly, a la the “dry” fly. A large variety of different flies were found to be effective, proving that the fish were right on the job. The Otapiri stream was also in splendid order and from about 11 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. some nice bags were taken, prominent among which was a splendid capture of 15 good fly fish, killed mostly on the “Haggard” fly, by Mr J. W. Smith. Mr T. D. Pearce was also responsible for a satisfactory catch. Mr D. Larnach (Winton) was successful in landing three brace, while Messrs A.'Kersc .and J. Clark were observed busily whipping with the fly. All anglers report that the trout were in very good condition, being mostly in a well mended condition.

Tire Lora river was just right for fly fishing, and in the upper waters, Mr H. Bain grassed sixteen speckled beauties. After 2.30 p.m. a thick mist appeared on the surrounding hills and the trout went “dead,” a few sprats only being tempted to move during this period. Messrs G. W. and H. Braxton landed 13 between them, the former creeling four brace, the heaviest of which weighed 2lbs. In the lower waters Messrs A. E. Tapper and Walter Tapper ran out with 12 brace at (he end of operations, mostly taken on the - Dark Red Spinner fly. The trout were reported to be in really good nick. Reports of the Oreti and Aparima river fishing have not yet. come to hand,' but particulars will be published next week. The opening of the season was welcomed by Eastern District anglers, many of whom were early astir making preparation for the day's sport. The Otamete appeared to be the most favoured stream, and the majority who fished it were well rewarded, the limit bag being reported in some cases. Conditions on the stream early in the day were not favourable, but later a breeze sprang up and good sport followed. The fish caught , in the Otamete were reported to be in fair condition.

Quite a large number of anglers also visited the Waimea, which was in excellent order. On this stream both the minnow and fly were used with good results. Some of the bags reported were: Messrs G. C. Hamilton and K. Pratt, fishing on the Waimea, caught 12 and 15 fish respectively. All the fish were in excellent condition, the average weight being about ljlb and the heaviest 31b. Mr Hamilton used the

minnow and the Red Top Governor fly, Mr Pratt using the Rep Tip Governor and Love’s Lure.

Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Messrs J. Tinnock and A. E. Boult each secured the limit bag from the Otamete and reported that the fish were in fair condition. Messrs W. McKenzie, C. Badman and Hoffman (3), also fished the Waimea and Otamete, securing 70 fish among them. Usuing the fly on the Otamete Mr W. Graham secured a bag of 15. Messrs J. Ross, A. D. Crawford, R. Allison, A. H. W. Aitken (Gore) and W. Mitchell (Invercargill) had a successful day on the Waimea, catching a total of 50. They also reported that the fish were in good condition. The Mimihau river was in splendid order with plenty of water and in just nice condition with fish plentiful. Some of the bags reported early in the afternoon were: George Johnson 25, W. A. Leitch 25, Ayres 25, A. Grieve 25, G. Bogue 19, James Millar 18, Milligan 11, G. Smart 9, A. Ireland 8, G. Kidd 7. The Mataura river was low, too much so for worm fishing, the best results being obtained with fly or minnow. Bags secured on this stream were: James Robinson 12, G. Williamson 6, E. Frame 6, W. Stirling 7, G. Dixon 20, R. Robertson 17. The last two fishermen fished the lower stretches of the Mataura and Wyndham rivers.

The Wyndham was also in excellent order and reports to hand advise that the fish are plentiful. “Creel” visited the Lora river, commencing operations about 11 a.m. A few fish were observed busily working at a grey fly on the surface of the water, but different grey patterns failed to fasten, and eventually a spent fly was caught, and on inspection was diagnosed as a Purple Grouse, and when this pattern was tied on the end of the cast, and fished "wet,” an immediate response was the reward. Eight nice fish were placed in the bag, thirteen being the total number tempted to move. Five apparently were too clever for your humble servant, but the outing was an immense success, and every minute of the excursion was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole party.