TROUT FISHING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 208, 28 May 1919, Page 7

TROUT FISHING

A REVIEW OF THE SEASON. Dealing with tlio characteristics of the. recent trout fishing season, the annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society says:— "The 1918-19 season, just closing, has been interfered villi through'"October, November, and December 'by constant rain rendering the larger rivers unfisliable on acconnt of high current and clouded water—and. throughout January and February by boisterous and inclement weather conditions. During March and April .everything tended to ; provide ideal sport.

"Tho large rivers, with the notable ex* ception of the Hutt, have failed to produce good fishing-; the llangitikel, tha Maitawalu, and the Makakahi at Nireaha, have broken anglers' hearts. The Hautapu has not proved up to its standard of recent years, whilst the South Karorl Stream' is reported to be empty. There have been, however, many notable exceptions throughout the society's district* and fine performances have been put up by'sportsmen. The Hutt River and its tributaries,- the Wainui, the Waikanae, tho Kawhatau, the Pohaugina, and, in a lesser degree, tho Upper Otaki, have been quite satisfactory,

"There is a. wide divergence of opinion as to the causes of tho inability ot various water to furnish good fisiiing, Mid as a general rule the tendency is to assert that there are no fish present, but it is a singular fact that throughout large portions of the Dominion fishing has been comparatively a failure, and in waters in which for several seasons past large numbers of fry have been liberated, lu this district there has been a silver lining to the cloud.

"The largest and heaviest fish known to lwvo been landed during the past season was a brown trout taken ,witli a minnow from just below the big 1 bridge-over the Hutt River, by a lad whose age ■ gave a every pound. The fish weighed UJlb., the struggle lasted li hours, and both the lad and the fisli deserve the congratulations of anglers; a hnndsomo rainbow trout weighing 9JIb, was taken from Donald Maclean Lake, near Bulls, by Mr. A. J, Palmer. Tho late Mr. A. Tortenson, of Palinerston North, took from nt Phi Pini Bridge in November last, one brown of Gib., 2 of 61b., 2 of 41b„ 1 of 3!1b., 1 of 2Jlb., an average of ,1411).; a Greytown sport took from the liuamahanga in January, 5 brown, weight 171b., average 3Jlb., and 15 brown, weight 501b., average JJlb., a.very consistent average. A ! Wellington angler, fishing within a length of water covered by a quarter of a milo abovo tho big bridgo over the Hutt River to half a mile below, took tho following:—October, 97; November, SSt; December, 59; Januarv, 72; February, 68; March, 29; April, 20; total, 433; and from South Knrori, Wainui, and Upper Akatarawa, Gf; a grand total of 497 fish (brown). Tho llies wero purple niawh Brown, Burrow's fancy, and Hardy's favourite, black gnat, pevcril of peaks, red slip governor, and a small English fly (name unknown). The heaviest fish' weighed Gilb. (fly), the next best Sjlb. (minnow). This angler is of opiuion that the season should end in March. Another Wellington angler who has Ashed all over the society's district (often at Waikanae), has taken just on GOO fish during the season, but kept lio record of weights. Tho cold and boisterous wson told ils tale, and salcn of h'shimr licenses fell from i7H;i 3s. Gd. net'last season, to J:G'J9 15s. Gd, for the season now closed. ,(