SALMON FISHING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1928, Page 4

SALMON FISHING

A BOOAI IN ANGLING CHRISTCHURCH, Aiarch 27. “It has become a veritable mania, and the symptoms are loss of sleep, shortening of temper, and neglect of business,” exclaimed Air D. Hope, Curatfor of tjlie Society’s Gardens, when referring to the sudden craze for salmon fishing in the AVaimakariri. “There has never been anything like it in Canterbury before,” said ATr Hope. “During the l week-end there were quite fifty boats anchored on the river, and there was hardly standing room on the banks. Von would have thought there was a iegatta on. Anglers were there very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. As dawn broke silhouettes of boats and still figures showed up and of a sudden there-was movement to certain spots which experience had proved to be favoured ones for cpiinnat.

“Fishermen were not all successful, but many fish wore caught. 1 hex would average about fourteen pounds in weight. An example of persistence was provided by one business man 1 met. He said he had been out eleven times, but bad landed nothing. He succeeded in getting one on Sunday. “Not only during the week-end, blit also during the week-days scores of fishers, men. and women, may be seen lining the banks of the AYaimakariri. I cannot account for tlie sudden popularity of quiunat fishing.” added Air .Hope, “except it be the size of the fish and the ease with which they mat he caught. Trout fishing at its height never enjoyed such patronage from the public. The AYaimakariri is near town and the women can join in with the , men. Also quiunat are easy to angle. , A tyro can catch one if his luck is in.