ANGLING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16749, 2 January 1915, Page 12

ANGLING NOTES.

MIDSUMMER SPORT. (By “Ikon Blub.”)

At the coming of a now year anglers have entered the second of three periods into which a fishing season is divided naturally, by changes in the habits of tho trout, and a consequent necessity of a different lure or plan. The time of “spring fishing” is ovor, tlio “autumn day” part fortunately is yet far ahead, 60 for the moment wo are concerned chiefly with tho period sot apart for “ midsummer sport,” which begins usually in December and lasts until February ends. At this time, and particularly in tho present season, when most of our streams and rivers have been extraordinarily low, the best fishing generally is obtained during tlio early morning, or at the evening rise, when the coachman, black or silver doctor, Roveril of the Peak, or a big red governor are among the flies most favoured by tho largest trout. A list of the flies now most useful for day-fishing must vary according to tho waters upon which they are to bo cast, but a fairly comprehensive selection would include the red governor, red upright, coch-y-lxmdhu, black-and-silver, Grcenwoll, Thompson, red spinner, and bliio upright. Most wellknown rivers have their own special flies, for instance, the “ silver Hofland,” right now is a great favourite upon the Opilii, in different sizes for both night or day fishing; hut it is a fly often found unsuccessful in other places. By tho way, on weedy streams and creeks when the angler is unaware of the usual patterns, it is a quite good method to begin with some fatlooking, well-hackled fly like, a red palmer or coch-y-bondhu. Sometimes in the middle day hours it may occur that our “midsummer” sport is very sadly missing, for the simple reason that the trout most obstinately refuse to riso, and then in course of time comes the question of another lure in. place of tho fly, for it is not likely that, any average fisherman will feel inclined to take home an empty basket if lie can possibly catch somo’trout to put inside. Now, if it is absolutely necessary to uso a bait, by all means let us choose one that can be used in a fairly sporting way, and generally a cricket or grasshopper will fill the. need. All bait fishing is of a rather doubtful legitimacy, but I imagine this cricket is as fair as anything of the kind, ahd occasionally it is nioro than useful. Yesterday we were in the Opulia Gorge, where, since early morning everything within sunrcach had parched and wasted to its own liking or tho reverse, while all South Canterbury said, “Oh, so hot, isn’t it?” or much more tricked words to the same effect, and. the trout just lay still and looked at tlio fly. Presently wo came upon a. man carrying three big fish, and lie had been “using cricket.” For further information, somebody enquired, “Is that quite ‘ cricket but ho was not a very nice man, and looked sternly at tlio speaker ns though lie thought him guilty of trying to make a pun. On tho banks of the Opihi, tents and camping parties liavo multiplied .exceedingly within the last few days, and still it appears that few anglers return fishless from their quest, and , plenty of good baskets have been made in those parts of the river near tho village of Pleasant Point. A heavy fresh has interfered with angling prospects in the Rangitata, hut the upper waters are now clearing, and satisfactory sport is expected in the ■week ahead. Elsewhere most of the smaller fly streams are very low and bright, and a good rainfall is lequired to save tho multitudes of tiny trout left in the side pools by the receding waters. Two streams which seldom suffer from-any drought are the Oliapi and the Wailii, near Winchester. Tho upper waters of the Ashburton have been providing some good fishing above Mount Somers, from which place tho river is reported as very well stocked.

ANGLING AT ROTORUA

GOOD SPORT ON ROTOMA [Feu Press Association.]

ROTORUA, January 1

There is likely to bo a rush of sportsmen to Lake Rotoma, where fine hauls of trout have lately boon made. One basket brought in by a fisherman contained sixteen rainbow trout from five and a half to eleven pounds in weight, in the pink of condition, and it created considerable envy oil the part of less fortunate anglers. Rotoma is a lake some miles beyond Rotoiti. The presence of trout in it is no new thing, but the water has not beon accessible till lately. There is now an accommodation house on the shores and a boat on the lake.

There are other lakes in tho district, Government officials say, where equally fine fishing can be obtained, but they liavo not so far been used on account of the difficulty of getting to them. Tho fishing on Rotorua itself with tho rod is not very good at present, hut on Tarawera botli good fish and good sport aro available.