FEW LIMIT BAGS AT OPENING OF ANGLING SEASON

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 14

FEW LIMIT BAGS AT OPENING OF ANGLING SEASON

By ]

MATUKU

Anglers were on practically all the rivers in Southland last week-end trying their luck with varying success. No very large bags were taken but most anglers succeeded in getting a few fish to open the season. The rain-fed rivers were all very low and clear and will be all the better for a good spate. One or two limit bags were taken on the dry fly on the Hedgehope and this stream should give good sport. The trout, however, are in poor condition, indicating that freshets are necessary to keep the trout in good condition. On the Makarewa there was a prolific hatch of Mayflies and the trout rose freely to them both on Saturday and Sunday. It is unusual to have such a hatch so early in the season. The trout came on to feed freely on these floating insects, but proved difficult to tempt with the dry fly. On Sunday afternoon about 4 p.m. the wind blew strongly from the west and the wet fly proved successful fished upstream into the ripples. The fish seemed to be feeding on nymphs in a few inches of water and took the wet fly freely. The Dark Red Spinner was the most successful wet fly.

Reports from the Orawia indicate that a strong north-westerly wind was blowing and interfered with successful fishing. Individual bags of fish up to nine were taken, the wet fly, dry fly, minnow or matuku all proving capable of taking fish. . . The Eastern District streams, the Wyndham and Mimihau, were very low and moderate bags were taken by careful ' fishing. There was a fair hatch of fly in the morning and again towards evening. As in the Makarewa, the bigger fish in the Wyndham chose the most inaccessible places to feed, or it may be that the fish which choose these places have a longer life than those in places accessible to the angler. Visitors to the Eglinton report that the fish were to be seen in the stream but failed to respond to the anglers’ lures. The weather was wet in the Eglinton and this was unfavourable to fishermen there.

In the tidal waters of the Oreti a few good fish were taken on the minnow and matuku lures. . When the tide and wind is right a visit to the Oreti at the Ferry bridge or at Dunns road is well worth while at this season. If conditions were favourable three or four fish averaging from 21b to 3 lb can be taken in an hour or two in the evening. V

On the whole the opening of the 1938-39 season can be regarded as moderately successful. On most rivers a few fish were taken and the weather was pleasant and enjoyable. MORE ABOUT TACKLE In last week’s notes the matter of tackle was mentioned. For the benefit of a novice or intending angler a few detailed ideas<may be given. The first item is the rod. An angler will require to choose his rod with a view to the fishing he intends to follow. If he intends to concentrate on fly fishing either wet or dry he will find a rod nine feet or 10 feet in length will suit his requirements. The better rods are undoubtedly split-cane, but some anglers still prefer greenlieart rods. In recent years the tendency has been to go in for shorter and lighter rods, even as short as eight feet A beginner will probably find a rod about .nine feet six inches in length most suitable. If an angler intends to go in for minnow fishing at the Waiau mouth or even in the larger rivers he will require a long and heavier rod. The strain of casting a heavy minnow would very soon wreck a light fly rod. If an angler is going in for minnow fishing he may consider getting an American bait-casting rod and reel. With this outfit he will be able to cast much further than with a long minnow rod and the exertion of fishing is greatly reduced. Bait-casting outfits are largely used at Waituna, and for salmon fishing at Te Anau but otherwise are not very greatly used in Southland.

The next item is a reel. The novice will find a cheap fly reel quite satisfactory for a start. Later he will have his own fancies as to reels and can choose one of the more expensive reels on the market.

SILK LINE BEST As for lines the angler will require at least 20 to 25 yards of good quality water-proof silk fly line. Cheap linen or flax lines are not suitable for fly fishing as they absorb water and become heavy and water-logged. Tapered fly lines are preferred by some but are more expensive and offer no advantages to the beginner. The tendency of the inexperienced angler is to buy too fine or thin a line. He should purchase a line sufficiently heavy to develop the spring and balance of the rod. Trying to cast too thin a line is like casting cotton thread, it is so light it cannot be forced through the air. The heavier line is particularly required in dry-fly fishing when the fly may have to be forced against a contrary wind. In wet-fly fishing the angler can generally contrive to cast from the windward side of the stream so as to take advantage of the wind. If the angler requires additional line to play the big fish he expects to catch he should have a length of cheap line, as backing, spliced to his fly line. For actual casting and fishing the waterproof silk line only is used and on occasions when a big fish is hooked and a longer line is required to play him the flax line will run through the rod rings. Ask the tackle dealer to splice the two' lines together so that the join will run freely through the rings. >

The next item is the cast For early in the season a 2X or 3X cast, three yards long, provided with droppers, is required. Anglers should be careful to test any cast held over from last year'. Gut casts, once they have been used, seem to perish, although they look all right. Be sure, therefore, to test old casts by a good steady pull before using them. Considering the comparatively low cost of new ones it is false economy to use old ones. In angling it is the unexpected that happens and a big fish seems always to rise when you have neglected to rnew a frayed or old cast.

Each angler has his own fancy about flies and the flies mentioned are those most generally used. For wet-fly fishing the following can be confidently recommended:—Dark Red Spinner, Greenwell’s Glory, Jessie, Red Tipped Governor, Hardy’s Favourite, Love’s Lure, Black Gnat, Twilight Beauty. Size No. 12 is the most popular size but size 10 or even eight is sometimes used for night fishing and size 14 for clear bright days. For day flying fishing the following are popular choices:—Cochybondhu, Greenwell’s Glory, Twilight Beauty or Dad’s Favourite, Murray’s Favourite, Pope’s Nondescript, Red-tipped Governor. Mottram’s Special New Zealand Mayflies are also deservedly popular. During the early part of the season the quill-bodied flies which imitate the New Zealand mayflies are most successful. Dad’s Favourite, Greenwell’s Glory and Cochybdndhu with quill bodies are the most successful. Later, when the land insects are more plentiful flies such as Black Gnat and Red-tipped Governor are more successful. All flies should, of course, be bought with eyed hooks.