ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 19

ANGLING

ODE TO THE FISHMONGER. I’ve heard quite a lot of tales lately, Of “tales” -you’ve been telling of trout; We’ve all been amused very greatly For fishing we know all about: So don't try to boast, Ananias, Of how many fish you have caught, For fish-liars were put here to try us, So tell us how many you bought. For we know it’s an old stunt of anglers, This trying to make up a bag, For fishermen always were wranglers, And buving a very old gag; “How do I know?” “’Cos I’ve seen them, On days when they’re luck was all wrong,” Lined up where Pasco’s men clean them, In a queue fully half a mile long.” When the length of a fish you are showing, . -- Don’t hold your hands out in front, For the seeds of untruth which you’re sowing, May evoke a contemptuous grunt; Though you’re fish may be absolute treasures, This action is just a bit crude, For that’s how an Irishman argues, When he’s in a National mood. And boxers all tell us that Tunney, Used to spin these fish yarns on the beach, And though it may seem very funny, That’s how he developed his reach: And if some inquisitive bounder, Inquiries about weight now and then, Don’t say its a twenty-eight pounder, Be honest, divide it by ten. Next time the trout are not biting, Take home sardines (clever thought), And go round to everyone skiting, About all the fish you have caught ; Your prowess will no doubt dismay them, But your story may seem a bit thin, If you should forget and display ’em, Before they are out of the tin. —Sambo. Auckland, l/10/’29. Climatic, conditions for last week-end were of a mild and boisterous order, consequently the activities of local anglers were somewhat restricted. Most of the rivers were showing signs of the heavy rain experienced, and although the “fresh” did not assist in returning heavy baskets, a desirable clean out of the streams was effected. With suitable climatic conditions for this week-end, anglers should receive good trouting.

Lake Mavora has been visited lately by local minnow experts in search of heavy fish, and it is reported that Messrs A. E. and H. Smith caught a goodly number of trout in splendid condition. For the big game hunter this is a splendid locality. While in Gore recently the writer was interested to observe the large number of rods patrolling the banks of the Mataura river. The Acclimatization Society will surely benefit from the increased number of license holders both in Mataura and Gore. , It was obviously apparent that mother, father, sons and daughters pursue the hefty specimens in this well stocked river, and trout is quite a popular item on the household menu. The following anglers have all been more or less successful lately on this river: Mesdames H. Stevenson and A. Romans, Messrs W. Hicks, T. Steel, T. Burke, Doug. Graham, C. Matthews, R. Campion and Geo. Strang, (this latter angler with an exceptional liyg of 25 trout up to 51b. weight being well pleased with his “take”). Mr W. F. de Roo also reported an excellent bag on the “dry” fly recently, his catch averaging about 21b. each. On inspecting this river thoroughly, one is impressed with the fact, that here is a river that should favour the successful establishment of Atlantic salmon, or Rainbow trout. With the river passing through so many handy townships, the possibility of attracting a large number of tourists to our district, for the benefit of Southland coffers, appeals as a business proposition. It is to be hoped that some day in the near future we will be able to supply salmon fishing in the Eastern District. In observing some anglers operating on different rivers lately, the writer was interested to notice that it is surprising the number of fly-fishers who do not seem to get the full benefit of their rods in casting. A very common fault, and one in which we are all apt to drift, is the lowering of the rod tips, as our flies light on the water. Too many of us are apt to make our bodies do the work, for which a supple rod is built. In casting a sensible length of line, the arresting of the rod before it gets below the horizontal position, is an important feature in allowing the flies to land gently on the surface of the stream, and the action of "shooting” the lintf is an art that every fly-fisher should try to cultivate. With a well-balanced rod, the action should be both effortless and noiseless, the “swish” heard so often when the .east is being made, being a sure sign that we are making far too hard a work of the job. Of course, sometimes in casting against a wind, especially a side bender, it is then necessary to put the wood in, as it were, but on calm days the forearm and wrist will do all the work required. After all a good deal applies in the way we place our flies on the water, the quieter and easier it is done being a very important feature. With the authority of the Southland Acclimatization Society, Messrs J. McDonald, T. Cockburn, and J. Moffit, of Waikaia, have undertaken the destruction of shags on the Waikaia river. The gentlemen concerned left the township several days ago, and have chiefly confined their attention to the numerous rookeries in the Glenaray bush. It is understood that the shags are unusually troublesome this year, and have taken heavy toll of the trout, but reports would indicate’ that their numbers will be sadly depleted before the shooting party returns to the township. At the monthly meeting of the Council of the Southland Acclimatization Society the secretary of the Gore Angling Club wrote urging that the matter of restocking the Waimea stream be considered. The chairman said he understood some fry had already been liberated in it. Mr Allison explained that the club’s idea was to have some liberated in some of the smaller tributaries. It was decided to advise Ranger Evans of the club’s suggestions. A letter was received from the Gore Angling Club stating that the club was not satisfied with the ladder at the Matarau Falls, and it was asked that some immediate action be taken to complete the work. The secretary of the Mataura Angling Club wrote to state that since 4 the club had severed its attachment to the Otago Society, it would do all in its power to assist the Southland Acclimatization Society. Dealing with the question of the Mataura Falls ladder, the president stated that in his opinion nothing could be done until the end of the summer when the river would be low. It wis decided to ask Messrs Allison and Young to advise the* society when the river was in suitable order.