ANGLER’S DELIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1930, Page 13 (Supplement)

ANGLER’S DELIGHT

PURSUIT OF THE TROUT

(By

C.M.H.)

A few more rounds of the clock and the angler will be pursuing the trout'of (he Taranaki streams with a relentless vigour that bodes ill for the spotted denizens of our waters. Trout have always grown well in. the rivers of this province, as there is apparently an abundance of the right kinds of food. It is a law of Nature that living creatures of any species can only beeoifie abundant and grow into good specimens by reason of a plentiful and regular supply of nutritious foodstuffs. Trout are no exception to this rule, and can only become prolific and lusty if the right conditions are existent. The great trouble the acclimatisation societies in Taranaki have to contend with is the unsporting and miserable actions of the poacher. Each year this type of individual seems to increase and prosper until there are but few streams that are not visited and systematically poached each year, especially in the summer and autumn months. This season it is reported that poachers have already been at work and, as streams have been running fairly low at intervals during the past two months, it is feared that many trout have been stolen. It'does not matter to the poacher that the fish are in poor condition, and even unhealthy and unfit for human consumption. The poachers have seen the trout in the waters —that is sufficient for them to set to work at their wretched, unlawful practices. Anglers themselves are largely to blame for allowing thys condition of things to continue. Until the rodmen of each district band themselves into vigilance committees and keep alert watch on the trout waters, the poacher will be able to pursue his calling almost without interference. Most anglers seems to expect the acclimatisation societies to provide paid rangers for tlie work of detecting, itnd stopping the poaching operations, but this is- .quite impossible. Societies have neither the funds nor the opportunities of doing much in this, direction.' With the limited funds at their disposal all they are able to do is maintain hatcheries and turn out young fish as far as their financial means will permit. ■But there is an apathy amongst our anglers from which they, ill their own interests, inpst be stirred. 1 Until a change is brought about angling in Taranaki streams can never be at its best. Let us sincerely hope that every licenseholder in the province will look into this matter and determine that he will do his share in protecting the trout and so make our streams what they are capable of becoming—the best angling waters in New Zealand.

But after all angling does not wholly consist of capturing and killing fish. All .anglers love to make al capture now and then; it would be ridiculous to state otherwise. But it is the anticipation of the season’s opening day and all the days that the angler can go to.participate in his favourite pastime that count. There is the preparing of the gear and the fishing brogues, the replenishing of the fly book with the favourite "killing” patterns, and all those thingy that mattefr. Then there is the journey to the favourite stream with your mates in the car along with you, all telling over the old contests they have had in certain pools. And-it seems that the weight of the best trout captured last year has increased until from a lovely four-pounder it has, if you believe the man, become at least double that weight! If the weather gods arc kindly inclined, the morning is brilliant with gentle breezes abroad that set leaves and grass aquiver. The,open air and sunfehine are Nature’s free gift to the angler, and these make a jubilant day in every sense of the word. In the early morning light the ranges look distant and sharply cut, rearing their jagged peaks against the deep blue sky which changes colour as the sun advances. As the full light of day establishes itself hoary old Egmont looks almost within a hand’s reach, so clear is the atmosphere. Away along a side road the car carries you to the well-remembered and favourite /haunts. ■ Ordinary clothes are discarded’’ajid' the fishing togs are donned. In this garb you look even more disreputable than the scarecrows used to frighten the birds, but you feel full to the brim'with anticipation, and if you are not ridiculously happy, then you arc an unenthusiastic clod deserving not the name of angler. You climb over a gate or fence with an alacrity that is surprising, for in the distance you have seen a shining thread of water—the river—where you intend to spend your finst day of the season. Just ahead is a dark miniature gorge where the stones at the streamside show green, mossy surfaces, . and the brighter tints of sunlight melt into softer hues.

You hurry down to (he stone bed and it is not long before the spirit of the river-side works its will upon you. Under this subtle inspiration the true angler casts off the lethargy of past winter months and becomes conscious of the uplifting influence of the promise of what the sporting gods have in store for the day. It is a magic day filled with ecstatic throb deep beyond the telling. Then after you have straightened up the gear and the angling "flies” make their first drop on the stream, enchantment, is yours. The tinkling music of the walers as they cascade along the stony bed, mysterious with promise, absorb yon. And then, suddenly, you are face to face with the reality that your first trout of the season has taken your “Bradshaw’s Fancy” and the light is on. For five or 111 minutes the angler is tense with the opening tussle of the year, and when the trout in all its beauty lies safely on the bank he. is attuned there in the solitudes with contentment, not to be found in the haunts of men.

And so the morning and afternoon go by. Each reach of water is carefully tried, with varying success. If-your luck be in Ihe trout, seem to attach themselves to your line with remarkable ease, as though even they desired to contribute to the pleasure of your opening day. But if the trout are in contrary mood how close, they lie to the bottom of the. pool. Noth.ng will attract, them, and they almost appear to be wreathing their queer faces into derisive grins as you fry. and try again, unsuccessfully to tempi them to take your lures.

But even if you should be destined to leave the river without a “kill” on the first day—why worry or be discouraged? There are seven months of angling season ahead, and during that period there are certain to be golden days when your creel will be full to. overflowing, enabling you to store in your memory favours that have come to you in the most popular of pastimes, which most assuredly is—angling for trout with artificial fly.