FISHING RESORTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 21 October 1927, Page 6

FISHING RESORTS.

RIVERS, LAKES, AND STREAMS. TANGLERS WELL PROVIDED FOR. AlGfeugb it is not widely known, vho Ashburtoa Acclimatisation feociety's district has well-stocked fishing streams within its precincts. Being in the centre of a vast alluvial plain, with a. chain of hills in the background, Ashburton is practically surrounded with natural waterways in which are found trout and salmon m abundance. The nearest of these resorts is about 12 miles from the town, at the mouth of ttjho- Ashburton liver, known as Hakatere, a popular village for both campers aud fishermen. Here numerous anglers in quest of brown and rainbow trout spend their leisure hours during the season. Owing to the efforts of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, this river has now been well stocked with rainbow. Ther elhave been liberated this year about 10,000 yearlings obtained from the Hinds river, which is going to prove a prolific natural breeding stream A large quantity of ova was also planted i» one or two small streams in the upper reaches of the Ashburton, thus assuring good sport with worm and minnow in this waterway for the next tew years. . „ , . The Raugitata and Rakaia rvveis are well known throughout Canterbury for the fine sport they offer to seekers of salmon and trout. The former is more popular among Ashburton and South Canterbury anglers, its mouth being about 26 miles south from the Ashburton township and a similar distance from Timaru. During last year 10,000 yearlings and 50,000 rainbow •trout fry were liberated in it, which should induce fishermen from further afield to try their luck in this excellent fishing stream. There is ample camping ground at its mouth, and a small settlement has sprung up during the past few years, showing that enthusiasts on the first visitation had met with success that warranted a frequent return. About 30 miles north of Ashburton is the Rakaia river, with its large bed, over a mile in width. This is a fine salmon resort/ but is visited more frequently by North Canterbury anglers. Ashburton fishermen have been well pleased with results obtained, and it is hoped that 'the Ashburton County Council will make an effort in the near future to clear its reserve at the mouth and build an up-to-date fisherman's hut, which perhaps would be the forerunner of a settlement similar to that at the Rangitata river mouth.

Asuburton's Lakeland. For those who. care to venture fur : ther afield there is probably trout (fishing equal to that found anywhere in New Zealand. This refers to the lakes in the upper waters of the Ashburton river, just behind the frontal ranges, where magnificent brown., and rainbow trout abound. The largest of these lakes, Lake Heron, nearly six miles in circumference, is about 47 miles from Ashburton, and holds an abundance of brown trout, some weighing from 12 to 141b having been taken. This lake lies on private property and permission has to be obtained to camp there. There are also a small number of rainbow trout in this water, but as they frequent the deep portions they are rarely taken with rod and line. ■ About 43 miles from Ashburton is Lake Clearwater, about four miles in length. It is abundantly stocked with brown trout, of an average weight of 4 to fjlb. Lake Camp, a beautiful sheet of water,, about one mile in length, contains a number of heavy rainbow trout. Last season 20,000 rainbow trout fry and this year 3000 fry of the same variety which in a year or two should provide magnificentt fishing, were, liberated here. Across the tussocks, some two miles to the left of the road to Lake Clearwater, iies Lake Emma, from which some splendid baskets of brown trout have been taken with both fly and minnow. On the wav to Lake Heron are found the Maori Lakes, which contain huge brown trout, but the fishable water is very limited. Lake Emily also contains trout in large numbers. As far as the actual fishing qualities of these lakes are concerned, they could be termed an angler's paradise. Some idea of the quality and quantity of fish obtainable can be gained from the experience of one angler who in three hours caught 19 fish weighing 88 lb on a dry fly. The only drawback to this lakeland is its barrenness, and lack of camping facilities. It is hoped that the_ Ashburton Acclimatisation Society will take steps to hare permanent accommodation erected, and so make Ashburton's "Lakeland" as popular as the river mouth resorts now are.