ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 21274, 20 December 1930, Page 18

ANGLING

(By

“Creel.”)

To whisk a fly under a waterfall! to see the crystal split by a living arrow! To feel —at the root-ends of every nerve—the tug and thrill of a “strike!” The true angler's charm. —“Edison Marshall,” in “The Dead-Fall.”

Climatic conditions were somewhat more pleasant for last week-end, and although some very good individual bags are reported, it is observed that these were caught by experienced fly fishers, as the trout were by no means easy to lure to the various patterns of flies presented. For some of the novice anglers to practically experience a “blank” day should not be disheartening, as the conditions generally called for skilful manipulation of the flies, both wet and dry. The Oreti river above Dipton was found to be in good enough order, and it is reported that this locality at the present time carries a splendid head of fly fish, a good “moving” day producing baskets averaging over 1 lb weight, which is a considerable improvement for this river. At the last mteeing of the local Acclimatization Society, this fact was extensively commented on, and an opinion was expressed that the absence of floods throughout the winter and the subsequent freshes were responsible for the marked improvement. Three years ago the writer published an article with

reference to the pronounced number of small fish present in lhe upper waters, and predicted that the season 1930-31 would prove whether the extensive stocking campaign which had been inaugurated, viz., the planting out of the-eyed ova, was going to be suitable to our Southland rivers. That the goods have been produced is surely gratifying to the society, anglers and the manager, Mr Evans. It can safely be said that the tactics adopted can now be confidently carried out with further portions of this river in the vicinity of Centre Bush, Winton, Lochiei, Oporo, and the Iron Bridge. That the explanation offered at the society’s meeting must have had a beneficial effect cannot be gainsaid, but the most important factor most anglers will agree, is that the heavy stocking of the river is the main reason for satisfactory results. At the conclusion of this season it is to be hoped to have a series of scale readings from fish caught in these waters published in this paper. The Hedgehope river was visited by a fairly large number of rods, and although the strong wind made angling difficult, some nice bags were captured. A party comprising Messrs 11. Shuttleworth, J. R. Brown, D. Raimer and W. Torrance had a total of 24 fish weighing 30 lb. Claret Jessie and Samuel were the best killing flies. Fishing with the sunk worm, Major McHugh caught 6 trout, the heaviest of which weighed 51 lb. Messrs F. Robertson, four on the minnow, and 11. Halligan, four on the fly, were among the other rods present.

The Makarewa river was in good fly order, and the strong wind suited the anglers who visited this river. In the waters below Baird’s, Mr G. W. Braxton and another rod for an afternoon's fishing, grassed 15 fish weighing 20 lb, and found Furpie Grouse and Dark Red Spinner successful flies. The heaviest trout weighed 3 lbs. From the same river in the upper waters, Mr D. Wishart had a nice bag of 10 weighing 15 lb. Mr Wishart found the Dark Red Spinner fly to be effective. An exceptionally good bug was taken on the dry Black Gnat from the Orawia by Mr T. Mackie, Junr. The basket of eighttrout weighed 16 lb, showing a. very tine average. This river is reported to be getting rather low and weedy. A party of Ohai anglers visited the Oreti river at Benmore, and four rods accounted for 45 fish, a dozen only of which were taken on the fly. Above Stag Creek, Messrs P. C. Hazeldine and Angus McDonald worked hard to produce 19 nice fly fish. These anglers report a plentiful number of fish from lib to 21b., although on their visit the trout were rising short to both the wet and dry fly. However, another visit is intended in the near future. Red Tip Governor, Ligth Red Spinner and Red Quill Gnat were the patterns of flies responsible for the catch. The following records of catches is taken from this season’s diary of a brother angler: Date, 1/10/30; locality, Waimatuku, up stream from Riverton >road bridge: No of fish 6; weight, 21b. ljlb., I’llb., 11b., 11b., j'lb.; how caught. Wet Purple Grouse fly. Remarks on condition of river and fish: — River full but clear. Coldish S.W. wind. Trout in very good condition, but not thoroughly mended. 21b specimen a perfect trout. Date 12/10/30; locality, Otapiri (mouth of Gorge); no. of fish, 13; weight -lib to 1.1 lb; fair specimens only. How caught, Wet Jessie No. 4 up stream. Remarks on condition of river and fish:— River full, but clear. S.W. wind changed to cold southerly and thereafter no good.

The half season’s licenses for 12/6 are now on issue and come into force to-day. It is anticipated that this season the total number of license holders will be in the vicinity of 2000, as some. 1800 have been issued so far this season, which almost constitutes a record. An enormous run of silveries took place in the Selwyn river last week-end, and this had the effect of bringing large numbers of trout into the river from Lake Ellesmere, states “Black Gnat” in the Christchurch Press. Last Sunday night the silveries were in such quantities in the rapids above the huts that anglers were able to catch what they wanted for bait in their hands without, the use of a net. The run continued well on up towards Coe’s Ford, and all along the banks fish, both trout and large eels, rose furiously. Fishing was pretty well useless, for the silveries were there in such numbers that a trout must always have had a fair number to choose from and the chances of the one on the end of the angler's cast being taken were very small indeed. The Wyndham Angler's Club held its third competition of the season last Saturday afternoon, the conditions being a half-day on the Wyndham river. The conditions were fairly good, but even so only three of the competitors weighed in. The results were as follows: — J. Hayes (Wyndham) 23 fish, 251 b IDoz (scr) 251 b lOoz 1. G. A. Johnstone (Wyndham) 11 fish, 131 b 14oz (25 per cent.) 171 b s»oz, 2. R. Robertson (Wyndham) 6 fish, 51b 2oz (25 per cent). 61b Goz, 3.