MILITARY TROUT IN THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 22, 2 June 1906, Page 15

MILITARY TROUT IN THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealanders who know Masterton and the Wairarapa will be able to trace the localities mentioned in the following letter, in spite of the somewhat strange disguises in which the English < Tin post or has sought to bury them. The letter appears in the "Field.” and is written by Mr George Beetham. from Cannes. He says: “I have just received from my brother. Mr Richmond Beetham. of Master on. Wellington. New Zealand, a letter which contain* a reference to a fishing excursion to rhe Kuamahunga River. Wairarapa. Wellington, N.Z.. which I think will interest your readers. ‘I and Galway.’ my brother writes, ‘went to Holmes’s place on the Kuamahunga below Bidnells. We got fourteen fish averaging 51b. and had the weather been more favourable we could have taken fifty. The habits of the fish are peculiar. You stand or sit on the bank about 10ft from the wafer, and watch them promenading up and down the river close by the bank. Each fish appear* to have its own promenade, and does “sentry go” backwards and forwards up and down the river. They do not take the slightest notice of you. When the fish ounes opposite to you, you put a kerst about 3ft above nose, it swerves a little and gulps it in. you count three and strike, then it fights like anything. You watch the whole operation, anl the brighter the sunlight the more fish you catch. We were about two miles above where the river runs into the. lake. There is a slight current, and the river is about 100 yards wide. When the fish gets to the top of his promenade he meets the other fish coming down: they apparently salute each other and turn, but if either fish should attempt to trespass on the other one’s bear, he goes for him at once. We saw this several times. Some of the fish were not three yards from us when the locust was dropped over their noses. It was the most extraordinary fishing I ever did. and you know 1 have some experience. I must have another go at them. To show you how certain you are of your fish, we were just starting away in the ear. the rods packed away, and the car moving on the slowest speed, when Holmes, who coukl see the water, said there was a big fish oming down. 1 stopped the ear. put my rod together, attached the cast, put on a locust, and caught the fish. STIb. If they do no; see the locust when they are going one way. you wait until they rome •ack. be a use you know 'that thi* will l»e the case. This may sound like a trout yarn, but it is tile absolute truth.’ ”