A DAY'S TROUT FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4540, 16 May 1889, Page 3

A DAY'S TROUT FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND.

♦ The following article b.T " A Canterbury Fisherman," was cent Home some tirue ago, accompanied by a photograph of the take of five rods, and both were reproduced m the columns of tho Sjinr/inr/ nnd Dramit'ic A'fic-J, of March 2nd, 18^0. The article, which has been read with great interest by fishermen at Homo, is as follows : — It wns m 18fi8, ju»t twenty years ago, that the Salmu firio, or brown tront, was first introduced to New Zealand waters, and today there is scarcely a river, creek, or lake that is not plentifully stocked. lethyoloeists from the old country are invariably astonished at the abnormal development of the New Zealand breed. Several specimens have been sent home, om-, if I mistake not. to the lata Mr Frank Buckland ; but to realise tho practically unlimited Bupply, the splendid condition of the fish themselves, and the vast amount of fishing ground, or rather water, it is necessary to pay us a visit. The South Island has very fitly been culled an Angler's Paradise, and though the disciples of the "gentle craft" aro pretty numerous here, visitors are always welcomed by their piscatorial brethren, and go away full of reminiscences of " big takes " and good times generally. December 16th being the anniversary day of the foundation of this province, the Canterbury Anglers' Society determined to hold a fishing competition, and with that object m view offered prizes for the following events : — A prize for the heavieit basket of fish canght by any legal menns, another for the largest trout caught ditto ; then & prize each for the heaviest basket and heaviest fifh caught with the artificial fly. Nineteen competitors entered, but out of tl'is number only sn weighed m, showing the following results: — TAKEN WITH A FLY. a •g -a -a * £ O Mr F. W. Hunt ... 80 22Jlb Irwell Mr C. Morris ... 31 101 b Irwell Mr W. 8, Cook ... Z0 161 b Cust TARBff BY ANY LEGAL UEANi. MrCoe 9 6721 b -)Selwyn, MrMaddoi ... 7 41ilb [ near Lako Mr A. M. Ollivier... 6 351 b ) Ellcsmore. The heaviest fl«h weighed an ounoe or jo over 101 b, and this had been caught by Mr Cop, who thus secured the prizes m his class for heaviest basket and heaviest flab. Mr Hunt won the prize for the heaviest basket m his class, Mr Cook winning that for tbo heaviest flsli, 2Jlb. Tho fish were shown and weighed at Mr McWilliams'a shop, which i« tbo principal fishing tackle depot here, and it was wonderful to hear tho different experiences related. Although only six showed their baskets, most of tho other competitors got good takes, but having teen tho winning lot did not bother about sending their fish to Ohristchurou. The hours allowed were from 112 p.m. on Sunday night to 12 p.m. Monday night. All the men who went for the big fish commenced operations at midnight, using for bait "bullies" or "Bilverica," both small indigenous fish which abound m tho rivers. Competitors had the choico of any water m Contcrbury, but as the affair was more of a local character tho choico lay between two or three rivers. Daylight on Mondny saw the flyfishers on the move, and it was long after dusk beforo they made the last cast. I am afraid to try and describe the ploa»uro of a day's liy-fleh-ing m Hew Zealand, but given good water, lovoly Bcenerjr, a day almost made to ordor, a cheery companion, and fish "on the take," and /oil can easily imogjno wh&t a pleasant day could be »pont. It waß under these conditions that tho competition took place, and I now send you a photograph of tho result of five rodß. One take of twenty trout was token away bofore it was deoided to have a photo taken ut all. The picture is the work of Messrs H. W. Meers and Co., of this city, and I think you will admit it is very croditable. 4ns now a word to intending visitors. j You ?au puroliMß a?ery fishing requisite m almost any io*n of eife m Now Zealand, and it is therefore unwiso to bring but a Jargo outfit, as a groat portiun is sure to be useless. Three things you may rest assured you will find : a good climnto, splendid sport, and I last, though \jy ni) means lrat/,, a hourty wclA CAtIIEBUUJtY KjSIJEUjiAH. IKOi-rr 1300 students nt tho University of Cambridge lmve rigned a protest againrt tho ylujiesiun uf wouivu.