ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 21662, 26 March 1932, Page 14

ANGLING

(By

“Creel.”)

WEEK-END REPORTS Beautiful outdoor weather prevailed for last week-end, especially on the workingman’s holiday. The south-east wind on Saturday and the frosty sky in the evening was not too suitable for local anglers, but the following day the wind changed, to a nor’-wester after mid-day, and moving fish were to be seen fairly frequently. All the rivers were in good order, the smaller streams such as the Otapiri, Lora, Hedgehope etc., requiring attention with a long line and up stream casting and the employment of fine tackle. “Creel” visited the Otapiri on Sunday, commencing operations about 1.30 p.m., and four nice trout were discovered in the ripples before 3 p.m. Red Tip Governor was the killing fly. After the billy of tea had been consumed, three and a half brace were killed on the Temuka fly fished wet on the point. A speckled wing natural fly was observed intermittently on the water, hence the adoption of the Temuka, with its red throat hackle in evidence. One and a half pounds held the heaviest fish, which were all in first cla.-s condition. This river is carrying a fine head of trout in the vicinity of the Gorge. During the week-end members of the Lumsden Anglers' Club held a fishing competition on the Mataura River at I’arawa. The.,weather conditions were very poor and the results disappointing. The result was: — F Belesky, 9 fish, 151 b 6oz, 1; G. Johnson, 4 fish, 51b 13oz, 2; M. Reidy, 1 fish, 11b lOoz, 3; J. Pont, 1 fish, 11b.

The heaviest fish taken was a fine specimen weighing 31b soz. A diver who has been working in the bottom of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island reports that trout are not found at a greater depth than 50ft below the surface. At depths varying from 35ft to 50ft he observed numbers of fairly large trout lying on the bottom, while nearer the surface smaller fish were seen.

Two angling competitions were decided last week-end. Though the rivers were in good order conditions made fish extremely difficult to catch, the returns being therefore low. J. Darragh, 5 fish weighing 411 b, won the Smith Cup. Although the entries were large only two other anglers weighed in, the remainder experiencing such a lean time that they made straight for home. Three teams took part in the inter-club competition, for the president’s cup, namely, Invercargill, Dipton and Ohai. Invercargill came first and Dipton second the Ohai representatives being so little favoured by fortune that they did not weigh in. The details were: — Invercargill. , Name No. of fish. Weight. A. Mackie 5 51b T. Mackie Jun. 221 b J. Spiers 221 b 14oz E. Davenport 1 12oz Totals 10 101 b lOoz Dipton. Name No. of fish. Weight. N. Mac Kay 1 21b — Goble 241 b R. Sinclair 4 21b 12oz J. Sim — — Totals 7 81b 12oz i LOCAL RIVERS For the benefit of visiting anglers the following information is offered. Oreti River. Nearest water at Otatara, where mostly minnow fishing is indulged in. Fly water available above and below Iron Bridge about ten miles from town by good motor road.. Killing wet flies for this period of the year are Dark Red Spinner, Red Tip Governor, Female March Brown, Blue Dun, and Temuka. Dry flies: Red Tip. Black Gnat, Hardy’s Favourite, Cockybhundu. Makarewa. Nearest fly water at Wallacetown nine miles from town; lower down at Junction with Oreti, mostly natural work indulged in. Heavy fish 61b been encountered on both minnow and fly lures. Dry flies particularly deadly on favourable days. Efficient patterns are Cockybhundu, Greenwells Glory, Male March Brown, Red Tip Governor and Murry’s Favourite. Mata ura. Nearest good fly water from Invereargill at Menzies Ferry and Mataura Leland. Lower waters about Gorge Road more suitable for minnow enthusiasts. Good dry flies are Red Quill Gnat, Twilight Beauty, Light Red Spinner and Blue Dun. Wet flies are Dark Red Spinner, Jessies 3 and 4, Blue Dun, Scotsman’s Bonnet. Aparima. Nearest good fly water from Gummies Bush up stream. From Riverton up some wonderful big fish are taken on the natural lure. This river is bound to be popular if in good order for Easter fishing. Good dry flies are Peveril, Black Gnat, Yellow Tip Governor, Cockybhundu. Wet flies are Blue Dun (at the end of the point), Dark Red Spinner, Red Grouse, Temuka. Otapiri.

Nearest satisfactory fly water by a beautiful motor trip through Tussock Creek, Forest Hill and Browns. Lower waters hold two and three pound fish at this time of the year. An ideal fine tackle fly stream. Dry flies effective are Cockybhundu (quill dressing), Murray’s Favourite, Red Tip Governor, Hardy’s Favourite, Greenwell’s Glory. Wet flies should always include Dark Red Spinner, Light Red Spinner, Male and Female March Brown, Purple Grouse and Jessie 4. Lora.

A few miles further on than the Otapiri for the bottom end, where the average of trout caught will weigh heavier than those in the Otapiri. Scrub and flax fairly prevalent along the banks, but some deep pools can be exploited by both the wet and dry fly expert. Not a novice’s stream this one, as a variety of casts have sometimes to be employed. The Dry fly is particularly tempting, also if one care to use the live cricket lure, good baskets are generally obtained. Dry flies are the standard patterns and wet flies should always include Dark Red Spinner, Claret Mallard, Male March Brown, Red Tip Governor and Ginger March Brown. Hedgehope. Popular portions of this river are found out through Mabie Bush road and down the Titipau hill. Scrub covered banks are more suitable for the dry fly worker, and three pound fish are often removed by this method. • Popular patterns are Greenwell’s Glory, Cockybhundu (quill body). Red Tip Governor and Murray’s Favourite. Wet patterns used should include Dark Red Spinner, Temuka, Purple Grouse, Jessie 4.

Waimatuku. The popular water for this 1 stream is along the Riverton road to the bridge just past Wrights Bush. A nice fly stream for this time of the year, where the angler can wade carefully and fish up the centre of the stream. Perhaps the best average trout are obtained for a small stream. The late Robert Kidd and the writer claim to have discovered this river as a satisfactory fly stream, numerous rods now parading its banks where a few years ago anglers were seldom seen. Dry flies mentioned are Greenwell's Glory, Murray’s Favourite, Cockybhundu, Peveril and Red Tip Governor. Choice wet flies are Dark Red Spinner, Male March Brown, Black Gnat, Red Tip Governor and Claret Mallard.

When fishing in the Aparima river recently, Mr John Smith of Waimatua, secured an exceptionally fine brown trout. The fish, when caught, weighed 16£ pounds and measured 30 inches in length and 20 inches in girth. These dimensions are believed to be the largest for any fish taken from the Aparima for many years. The bait used was the natural minnow.