LAST WEEK-END FOR ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 11

LAST WEEK-END FOR ANGLING

STREAMS SHOULD BE IN FAIR ORDER By MATUKU The weather at Easter was generally speaking unfavourable for angling and the streams were high and dirty. One angler, however, reports excellent sport in the lower Orcti at Otatara. The river here was rather high, but fishing with a bully a number of trout up to 4tlb in weight and in good condition were captured. A party who visited Central Otago and fished the Hawea and Clutha rivers report having had excellent sport with the dry fly, particularly in the Hawea. Overhead conditions bright and pleasant and the rivers were low and clear. With a large dry fly on a No. 8 or 10 hook brown trout averaging 41b in weight were taken each day. In the swift water of the Hawea these fish put up a strenuous fight and a number escaped by breaking the tackle. Any large fly proved successful, a large Peveril, Greenwell’s Glory, Cochybondhu or Red-tipped Governor all being used with success. These fish were | caught during the mid-day hours and I the usual evening rise was not in evidence. Rainbows were comparatively few in number, but a few up to sjlb in weight were taken These streams below Lakes Wanaka and Hawea are always clear and fishable and are never affected by flood conditions. It is reported that a number of quinnat salmon have been taken from Lake Wanaka at the mouth of the Makarora weighing up to 131 b. I This week-end will provide the last , outing of the season and the smaller j streams will be in fair order and may | give good sport on the dry fly. The I Oreti and Aparima are rather high in their lower reaches for fly fishing but | further inland they may be fishable. I Anglers intending to fish these small streams, however, will be wise to make inquiries before going far afield. CARE OF TACKLE With the end of the fishing season anglers will be well advised to carefully overhaul their tackle and rods and see I that they are kept in as good order as I possible. Rods should be carefully | inspected and if necessary should be . given a coat of good rod varnish. Any ; bindings that are frayed should be re- I newed and rings inspected for wear and sharp edges and if necessary replaced. This work can be done by any handy man and provides a pleasant occupation for a wintry afternoon. Reels should be taken apart and cleaned and | oiled to prevent rust. Lines should be taken off the reels and carefully dried as they may be damp after use during the season.

Gut parts should be put away in a cast damper saturated with “Preservagut” or other proprietary gut preservative. Casts so treated should keep in good order for next season. Flies should be kept in moth-proof boxes, otherwise the moths can do great damage to them during the winter months. Reports indicate that flies will be considerably' increased in price next season and it is therefore advisable that anglers should fake care of the flies they have. Fishing gum-boots and waders should be carefully dried and wrapped in paper and stored in a cool, dry place. Owing to the uncertainty of supply and probable increase in price next year, anglers will be well advised to bear the above advice in mind and take the best care possible of the tackle they have.