ANGLING NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19673, 15 December 1933, Page 5

ANGLING NOTES

(By “Izaak Walton”) It is intended to publish each week under this column, notes of interest to anglers throughout South Canterbury. Fisherman are invited to send in for publication any items of general interest in connection with fish or fishing in river and lake. All contributions should be addressed to “Izaak Walton” care “The Timaru Herald.” River Reports. Opihi:—ln excellent order for fly fishing. Fair volume of water, and clear. Te Ngawai:—Low and slightly weedy, but in fair order for fly fishing. Opuha:—Clear, with fair volume of water. Pareora:—Low and weedy, but holding good head of fish. Smaller streams:—Low and clear. Christmas is with us once again, and the Mecca of most anglers will be their favourite fishing haunts. Owing to the smaller rivers being rather low and weedy, the Opihi will have to bear the brunt of the attack, and those anglers who fish there, will probably secure good sport. The Opihi at the present time is in good order for fishing; the recent flood having given it a thorough cleaning out. The fish are running well, and are in good condition. We are still troubled with the smallness of the fish in our streams, and unfortunately this fact is becoming most noticeable each year. In the near future our Acclimatisation Society and Angling Club will have to get down to something definite in regard to improving our fishing. The present state of things can be improved, but the process will be drastic. “What is wrong with Opihi?” is a question frequently asked by anglers. Sometimes the trout lose condition for no apparent reason; sometimes they steadily refuse the temptations thrown in their way by the cunning anglers; and sometimes again the sizable fish seem to disappear overnight. We could ask the Fish Research Committee, but we should be told that unfortunately they have not sufficient information on which to work. If, however anglers would take the trouble to send sample scales and particulars in sufficient volume, much might be learned. Any angler who is in doubt as to the method of collecting the required data should apply to the local Anglers’ Club.

A local angler reports a “surprise catch” from a tributary of the Opihi this week. Fishing the dry fly with light tackle, he hooked and eventually after a stern battle, landed a Rainbow trout weighing six pounds. The fish was in perfect condition, although slightly deformed in the lower jaw, having evidently received injury in its earlier days. A small Rainbow Just under takeable size was also caught in the same locality. This fish also was in splendid condition. The address given to anglers by Professor Percival in Timaru last week must have been the means of clearing up many misapprehensions previously existing as to the results which might be expected from the money expended on Fish Research. The information made available to those clubs and societies which had taken the trouble to forward scales and other data, was in itself convincing evidence of the value of the work. The Professor was careful to point out that nothing could be discovered without data, and that having been given this, and having ascertained the facts, the committee's work went no further than to report these facts to the authorities concerned. It then lay with the Acclimatisation Societies to decide what action should be taken, in view of the information submitted. It seems clear that the Fish Research Committee is working against heavy odds, and that it is entitled to the support of every angler.