TROUT DIFFICULT TO TEMPT LAST WEEK-END

Southland Times, Issue 23740, 11 February 1939, Page 15

TROUT DIFFICULT TO TEMPT LAST WEEK-END

By

MATUKU

Last week-end the weather was pleasant and the streams were in good order, and most anglers took advantage of the conditions to try their luck. The trout were rather difficult to tempt, but careful angling produced sufficient fish for breakfast. On the Otapiri in the gorge on Sunday morning six halfpounders were caught with the dry fly. Conditions were unusual, as the trout were found lying in the very shallow water at the tail-ends of pools. When a small dry fiy was cast carefully upstream into the shallow water the trout could b.e seen approaching to take the fly. At first it seemed as if the trout were disturbed and were rushing away but the angler would be surprised to find that the fish had taken his fly. These fish could not be seen by the angler, who had to cast his fly and hope for the best. The fishing was quite different from usual as far as the places in which the fish were lying was concerned, and unless the angler adapted his methods his bag would be a light one. It was a waste of time to fish deep pools or the head of pools, which usually give the best results. The intensive fishing done on the Otapiri earlier in the season- with the creeper has had its effect and the average size of the fish is much less than at the beginning of the season. An angler, even if he catches few fish, usually sees or hears some interesting episode in the lives of the creatures about him. Last season Matuku, fishing quietly along a stream’s edge, was surprised to see a crayfish (koura) crawl out of the water on to a clay bank above water level. When the angler approached closer he found two perch with their noses up against the water’s edge, watching for the crayfish to emerge from his place of safety. TWO MONTHS’ GOOD SPORT On Saturday on the Makarewa a fish was observed in a small bay in the bank chasing inanga or smelt. The fish could be seen plunging and charging into the shoals of small fish. A dry fly cast repeatedly over the fish was ignored. A closer investigation revealed that the fish making the commotion were two perch of more than 11b each in weight. These perch were lying in wait for the shoals of inanga working upstream and feeding on them as they came along. Later other perch were seen to be feeding in the same way, although no trout were seen.

At the next pool a weasel was seen to take to the water boldly and swim across the Makarewa river. He apparently thought there was better hunting on the other bank and was seemingly justified, as a few moments afterwards he was seen in close pursuit of a rabbit.

The tidal water fishing of the lower Oreti and Aparima should now give good sport. The rivers are low enough for fishing and the ample food supply has brought the fish into excellent condition. Good sport has been had with the natural minnow after dark in both streams recently. It is reported that good bags are being taken on the Oreti from Dipton down, and this stream should give good sport from now until the end of the season.

The road into the Upper Mararoa river is being improved and the river will be more accessible to anglers. On this stream the angler who first fishes the water so disturbs it that following anglers have little chance of Sport for the rest of the day. This stream is'so clear that the fish see, and are disturbed by, any angler passing along the bank. With improved access the fishing on the Mararoa, as on other easily accessible streams, can be expected to deteriorate. PERCH FEEDING During the next two months the angler can expect his best sport with the fly, particularly the dry fly. There is no doubt that all anglers do not study sufficiently the conditions of the streams, which may vary from day to day. On the Otapiri last week-end the trout were feeding at the lower ends'of the pools, in the shallow broken water. The observant angler walking upstream would see the fish fleeing on his approach to the bottom of the first. oi second pool, and would plan his fishing accordingly. He would assume that the bottom of the next pool would also contain fish, and would approach carefully and offer them his dry or wet fly accordingly. He would find it difficult to cast successfully for these fish with a wet’ fly. The trout cannot, generally speaking, be seen and a wet fly cast upstream in this shallow water soon sinks and becomes snagged on the slime or stones, as the water may be only three to six inches deep. The dry fly, on the other hand, offers better chances, as it floats on quite shallow water. On the deep calm pools where fish are rising at surface insects it will generally be found that they are taking may-fly duns, and a dark-winged fly, such as a Dad’s Favourite or Greenwell’s Glory, will be most successful. On the still pools of the Hedgehope and Makarewa the same flies will be successful when the trout are rising at surface flies. On certain days quite a number of land insects find their way to the surface of the water, particularly manuka beetles and crickets. Most anglers have had the experience of catching trout whose stomachs contained a pint or more of manuka beetles. These insects are mostly found in streams bounded by banks covered with native bush and shrubs such as tutu. If there is a wind off the shore the beetles are blown on to the water in hundreds and the trout feed greedily on them. On the Waiau river and on Lakes Wanaka and Hawea in particular both brown and rnirbow f<»ed on the beetles. Either a Cochybondhu or Peveril of the Peak, fished dry on a No. 14 hook, will be a successful imitation of the manuka beetle, and if the trout are feeding on the bettie the angler is assured of good sport. The cicada (usually known as the cricket) is successfully imitated by a Red-tinped Governor or a Black Gnat on a No. 12 or No. 10 hook, fished dry Crickets are not seen on the water in such numbers as manuka beetles, but

many must find their way into the streams, judging by the dozens found in one trout’s stomach. The trees in our birch forests and the white tussocks on the river banks seem to be the favourite haunt of these insects. On a bright calm sunny morning on the Oreti, Aparima or Waiau during the next month an angler should have-good sport on the above rivers with an artificial to imitate the cricket. If the trout are taking duns, beetles or crickets the angler should have no trouble in getting an artificial fly which will be successful. If his. angler is not producing results he may be assured either that bis method of presentation is at fault or that his cast is too heavy or too visible to the trout, or he’is approaching too closely and exposing himself to the trout and thus disturbing it.

When the trout are taking nymphs, midges or midge larvae more difficult problems arise and reference will be made to them next week.