ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 23734, 4 February 1939, Page 13

ANGLING

PROSPECTS BETTER FOR THIS WEEK END

By

MATUKU

The Southland Anglers Club advises that another of its popular mystery day competitions will be held tomorrow. All members are requested to attend. Arrangements are the same as previously and cars will meet at the Invercargill Post Office at 9 a.m. Last week-end the streams near Invercargill were all rather high ana fishing conditions were difficult. The Oreti in its lower reaches from Oporo down to tidal waters was above normal and slightly discoloured. The trout had evidently satisfied their appetites while the river was high and neither wet nor dry fly nor minnow yielded, any results. Further afield in the vicinity of Fernhill and near the mouth of the Dipton creek the Oreti was clear and in good fly order, but the trout weie difficult to tempt. The Diptcn creek itself was above normal and slightly discoloured. This stream in its lower reaches is well stocked with small fish including a sprinkling of fish of takeable size. The Dipton creek contains an ample food supply comprising, m addition to the aquatic insects, an excellent supply of water-snails and also a fair number of bullies. If there is some dry, hot weather some good sport could be got in this little stream with the dry fly. On Sunday several shags, including one of the small white-throat-ed species were busy fishing in the lower waters of the Dipton creek.

Anglers have been hoping every week-end since Christmas for better weather, and the prospects for the coming week-end seem at last to be favourable. There has been so much rain that the countryside is waterlogged and the i airi-fed streams will take some time to get back to normal summer level. They are, however, all clear and fishable and even if above normal should yield good sport to the fly fisherman. With warmer weather a good hatch of fly can be expected ana the trout will be ready for a change of diet, after a surfeit of worms and under-water food. Anglers who fished the Makarewa at Grove Bush on Sunday report good sport on the dry fly. The stream was above normal, but was clear and the warm overhead conditions caused a good rise of fly. . The Hedgehope, Otapiri and Waimatuku should all be in good order and yield good sport this week-end. Minnow fishermen in the lower Aparima below Thornbury report good sport recently. This stream has been above normal but is clear and fishable and the trout rise freely to the natural and artificial minnow. This portion of the Aparima contains a good stock of fish including some big ones. The Oreti and Aparima have not been much affected by flooded conditions and should also be in excellent order this week-end. These streams, the Oreti particularly, have had a rest from anglers so far this season and some big fish may be expected at any time now. The sea trout generally run up about the beginning of February and a few fish up to 101 b or more are caught (or lost) each season. Anglers should not economize on casts when fishing the Oreti. It is advisable to see that old or frayed casts are discarded. A big proportion o£ these big fish will break away in any case, but it is foolish to increase the fishs chances by using inferior tackle, particularly gut. Anglers should remember that the expense of having fresh sound casts is a very small proportion of the expense of angling. A party which visited Lake Mavora and the Mararoa last week-end reports good sport on the lake. A strong northerly wind was blowing down the lake and prevented successful fishing on the exposed portions. In the sheltered bays along the lake edge in the bush, however, the large trout were feeding and one angler had a bag of six fish averaging between 51b and 61b on the dry fly, fishing in these sheltered corners. The Mararoa is about 18 inches above normal summer level and was too high for successful dry fly fishing. With the present fine weather the level should soon drop and good fishing will then be got in the river. An occasional fish was got on the dry fly but conditions in the river did not justify the long trip from Invercargill. The results of last week-end’s fishing show how much an angler’s sport depends on his selecting the best fishing stream on any particular day. The upper Makarewa gave good sport, while the Oreti was definitely not worth a visit. Lake Mavora gave excellent sport, while the Mararoa river was not worth fishing. An angler endeavours to the best of his judgment to select the stream which offers the best prospects of sport, but the. matter is rather a gamble and he is quite likely to choose the wrong stream. FISHING FOR SPORT’S SAKE In America there have recently arisen protests against the publicity given to fishing contests, the writers pointing out that these contests, are contrary to the true spirit of angling. The following extracts may be quoted to show the views of the various writers: — The rapid growth of fishing rodeos, shooting derbies, big-catch tournaments, and other professional publicity stunts which are spreading all over the country, will, in the opinion of many, prove to be the boomerang that will take away much of the enjoyment and pleasures to be found in the great outdoors and substitute a cheap imitation in their place. For years many of our well-known shooting and fishing clubs have awarded, at the close of each season, a trophy of some sort to the member fortunate enough to have taken the largest fish or the biggest head during the season, all done in a sportsmanlike way and never have these prizes been awarded the club game-hog for having slaughtered more fish and game than his fellow members. Another writer says: From north, south and west come announcements of fishing derbies, fishing rodeos, fishing tournaments, for trout, black bass, tarpon, sailfish and tuna. International, national, coastal, State and city competitions of one kind or another are often planned for the purpose of publicizing this or that angling resort. . Fishing and shooting are two hobbies which give the utmost pleasure to

anyone who appreciates the great outdoors. To. enjoy either, you do not have to be a trained athlete. Men and women, boys and girls, all can reap the benefits that are found in both. Many hundreds of healthy grown folks today owe much of their physique to days spent tramping wooded. streams or inhaling the tang of salt air which ocean and bay provide. Fish and shoot for sport’s sake!