ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 13

ANGLING

(By

“Creel.”)

WEEK-END REPORTS Beautiful out-door weather prevailed for last week-end, and many anglers were present on our district streams. The smaller rivers were in good order especially the Otapiri, Lora, Dunsdale and Hedgehope. The former river was visited by the writer and an enjoyable outing was the result, the crystal clear water being especially satisfying to an angler who likes to fish up stream and fish fine. Seven brace of nice fly trout were killed on the Male March Brown fly, most of which were caught in the shallow ripples only a few inches deep. The Otapiri Gorge at the present time is worth a visit for its scenic beauty, the manuka bushes being one white blanket of flowers, and with the weeping willows in the foreground enchanting views can be obtained. For a picnic party wishing to visit a delightful stream this locality can be recommended. Messrs J. Willet, W. Henderson and T. S. Mackie visited Lake Mavora, but found both the lake and the Mararoa river too high for fly work, and not dowdy enough for the minnow lure. The upper reaches of the Oreti were also visited. Here also, owing to the strong down stream wind, results were disappointing. Some odd good trout were taken on a large Hardy’s Favourite wet fly, the heaviest weighing sJ!lb. Mr Mackie stated that both the lake and the Mararoa river were too high for fly work, and not cloudy enough for the minnow lure. The upper reaches of the Oreti were also visited. Here also, owing to the strong down stream wind, results were disappointing. Some odd good trout were.taken on a large Hardy’s Favourite wet fly, the heaviest weighing 511 b. Mr Mackie stated that this locality should be worth a visit during the holidays. It is reported that Mr E. Moss (Ohai), caught a 51b rainbow trout from the Mararoa river lately. Besides gaffing a large eel from the Mataura river Mr R. Young landed five brace of trout on the fly during his recent visit. The fish were reported to be in good condition. From the Aparima river in the vicinity of Thornbury, Mr M. McAuliffe landed some heavy trout on the natural lure. The river was too high for fly work, hence the manipulation of the minnow lure. Holiday Prospects. For the holiday fishing anglers are looking forward to experiencing more favourable climatic conditions, and as the snow has practically disappeared from the mountains, that bug bear of a fly enthusiast, snow water should be pretty well cleaned out of the larger rivers. There is reason to believe that there is a good head of trout in both the Aparima and Oreti to tempt the wet fly manipulator, whilst the smaller streams should be in good trim for the dry fly artist. Lake Te Anau, the Waiau and the Eglington will probably carry a large number of rods, and here again some good sport should be enjoyed. Anglers camping in the vicinity of Mossburn will have the choice of many waters, as the Aparima, Oreti, Mataura and the upper Waiau are all within comfortable motoring distance. “Creel” wishes all enthusiasts the season’s greetings with tight lines only. Following is a summary of resolutions passed by conference of Associated Acclimatization societies to be placed before the Minister of Marine:— Fisheries Act. 1. That the additional General Regulations under Part 11. of the Fisheries Act, 1908, contained in Gazette No. 40, 21st May, 1931, page 1530, be amended to read as follows:—No person whilst engaged in fishing for any acclimatized fish shall use any wire, either plain or twisted, or gimp trace of a greater gauge than 21 standard, or a rod consisting of only one piece of a greater length than eleven feet. Where the length of a rod exceeds eleven feet, the rod shall consist of three or more sections of approximately equal lengths with socketed joints so constructed as to be readily taken apart. 2. That the license fee to anglers domiciled overseas for taking acclimatized fish be fixed at £2 per license for the district in which such license is originally issued, and that all such overseas anglers before fishing in any other Acclimatization District, must secure endorsement of their license and the fee for such endorsement be £l._ 3. That the Minister of Marine be recommended to amend the above Act to provide for the following scale of general license fees:—The fee to be charged for a license to each male person of the age of eighteen years and over shall be £1; of sixteen years and under the age of eighteen years, 10/-; and to boys under the age of sixteen years, or to women, 5/-. 4. That all nets (other than nets in the hands of dealers for sale, and whilebait or bully nets) shall be registered with the local Collector of Customs. Change of ownership of any such nets shall be notified to such Collector of Customs immediately such change of ownership is effected. Failure to register or notify such change of ownership as aforesaid, or possession of an unregistered net, shall be an offence under the provisions of the Fisheries Act, 1908, and the Regulations made thereunder.

5. That it shall be illegal for any person or persons netting for indigenous fish in tidal waters, or within the limits (if any) prescribed by the Fisheries Act, 1908, or its amendments, or any regulations thereunder, to retain any trout, dead or alive, taken in bls or their net. 6. That the date of closing of the season to take quinnat salmon be regulated to coincide with the date of closing of season to take trout or other acclimatized fish in any district. 7. That the penalty for “obstruction” under the Fisheries Act, 1908, (the present penalty is a fine not exceeding £10) should be altered to conform to the penalty under the Animals’ Protection Act, which is a fine of not less than £lO. 8. That the Conference is emphatically of opinion that the consolidation of Part 11. of the Fisheries Act is long overdue. 9. That no person other than the holder of a license to take acclimatized fish shall fish for eels with any recognized trout fishing tackle, but such restriction shall not apply to the waters of any river or stream for a distance of half a mile from the point where such waters enter the sea.