SALMON AND SEA TROUT

Southland Times, Issue 23852, 24 June 1939, Page 14

SALMON AND SEA TROUT

“THE FLOATING LINE” METHOD THE FLOATING LINE FOR SALMON AND SEA-TROUT. By Anthony Crossley. Methven and Company, London. Price 10/6 net. (Reviewed by MATUKU) ' The introduction of firy-fly fishing has, it may be said, revolutionized trout fishing in Britain and also in New Zealand. What the dry fly is to trout fishing the floating line is to salmon fishing. The dry fly enables the angler to catch trout under conditions of low streams and clear water, and the greased or floating line allows salmon to be caught under similar conditions. The greased line method of salmon fishing is a comparatively recent innovation and Mr Crossley’s book is the first complete text-book on the subject The late Mr Arthur Wood, of Cairnton in Aberdeenshire was the originator of this method of fishing. An article by him appeared in “Fisherman’s Pie,” and this first attracted public interest to the new method.

Unfortunately in New Zealand we have only very limited salmon fishing to try out the floating line method, but probably it would give good results with Atlantic salmon in the Waiau at Te Anau when other methods prove unsuccessful. I notice that one correspondent in the book claims success with this method in fishing for rainbow trout in the Tongariro when the usual method had proved useless.

A DETAILED ACCOUNT Mr Crossley has written a simple and complete text-book on the subject. He deals with the tackle required, methods of fishing different kinds of water, suitable flies, and in particular the method of manipulating the line and fly in which lies the whole secret of success. The book is profusely illustrated with diagrams and drawings explaining the text. Shortly put, the method consists of greasing the line, but not the cast The line therefore floats and the fly sinks a short,distance below the surface.’ The line is so cast and manipulated that it allows the fly to drift downstream without drag. A fairly fine cast is used and much smaller flies than the usual salmon flies. This method has made it possible for the angler to catch salmon under conditions of low water and bright sunshine. Of particular interest to local anglers is the description of successful greased line fishing for sea-trout in the river Em, in Sweden, flowing into the Baltic. Forty-seven sea-trout caught on one trip to this river averaged 171 b in weight. This must surely be the highest average weight of any trout in the world. The success of the fishing in the river Em encourages the hope that the method may prove successful in fishing for the large sea-run trout which migrate up our local rivers such as the Oreti, Aparima and Waiau during the autumn months. NEW ANECDOTES The author has had access to Mr Wood’s correspondence with numerous anglers and at the end of each chapter he publishes a selection of letters written by or to Mr Wood in connection with Hie subject matter of that chapter. This adds greatly to the interest of the book. Numerous new and interesting anecdotes of angling are given throughout the book. It is interesting to note that the British Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chtimberlain, was a fellow guest with the author on Mr Wood’s water in Scotland and was apparently initiated into the new method of salmon fishr ing. The last 25 years have seen a great improvement in the skill and technique of anglers in New Zealand. It may well be that the next 25 years may see a further improvement, and that such improvement may include the adoption of floating-line fishing for trout in New Zealand. Any angler intending to experiment with the method should certainly procure and study Mr Crossley’s book.