ANGLING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 11

ANGLING

SOUTH CANTERBURY CLUB

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the South Canterbury Anglers’ Club to be presented at the annual meeting on Monday evening, reads:— The formation of the club dates from a meeting held on September 27 of last year, which was attended by about 30 anglers. The membership at the end of the season had reached 104, which, taking all the circumstances into consideration, is very satisfactory. There is a credit balance in hand of £7/1/9 after all contingences have been met. Several competitions, both fishing and casting, were arranged during the season. In every, case, however, these either had to be postponed or were marred by unfavourable weather conditions. Your committee wishes to express its appreciation to the generous donors of special trophies for these competitions. It is hoped the conditions this year will be such as to encourage keener competition for these trophies, and members are urged to join in, and thus show their appreciation. It is suggested also that it would be advisable to arrange casting competitions in some central place. In addition to the formation meetings, three general meetings of members were held. Addresses were given by Professor Percival and Mr Pellett, and these meetings, as well as being instructive, were enjoyable socially. The committee is grateful to the gentlemen who, at considerable personal inconvenience, delivered these interesting addresses. Acclimatisation and Research. One of the objects for which the club was formed, was to assist the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in every possible way. As the season progressed, your committee was seriously concerned at the falling away of the fishing, particularly in the Opihi River. At the general meeting of the club held on March 27, it was decided to make certain recommendations to the Council, chief of which was an 11inch limit, and the abolition of worm and creeper fishing in the Opihi River and tributaries. These suggestions were made with the sole object of ultimately improving the fishing in our main streams. The recommendations were fully discussed at the annual general meeting of the Society, but did not receive the approval of the majority.

Research work has been carried on by the Central Committee in Christchurch, and some very interesting reports have been issued by Professor Percival, and Mr Parrott. Members were asked to help in the work by collecting scale samples, but the response was not up to expectations. The foundation of research work being derived from scale samples, it is of paramount importance that these be obtained. It is understood that districts which have co-operated whole-heartedly with the Research Committee have benefited by the information obtained. Members are urged to assist in collecting and forwarding scale samples during the coming season.

The thanks of the club are due to all who rendered assistance during the season, particularly the Council of the Acclimatisation Society, and the local newspapers. In conclusion, your committee hopes that still more anglers will become active members in the coming season, and that the club’s activities will be thereby extended.