ATLANTIC SALMON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2575, 3 May 1923, Page 4

ATLANTIC SALMON.

FINE CAfCHES IN SOUTHLAND. A fine catch of Atlantic salmon was made by a party of Invercargill anglers, who spent the week fishing in the Upukurora and Eglington streams near Lake Te Anua, last week end. The main object of the trip was to confirm, or otherwise, the reports that this fine sporting fish had become firmly established in the streams and lake named, and the result proves beyond doubt that a new and entrancing sport is opening up to anglers in Southland. The party brought back 13 fine specimens of Atlantic salmon, and two well-conditioned brown trout. The heaviest salmon weighed llllbs, and the smallest salmon 411 b., while the average was 81b. The party first camped on the bank of the Eglington stream, about half way up the Te Anau. The river was high and they fished for three or four days without success. From the Eglington the party went down the Upukuroro, and for six hours’ fishing secured nine salmon. On the following day they landed another four. The Upukuroro abounds in pools and ripples which are the delight of fishermen, but it may not stand a great deal of fishing ns it is only about half the size of ttlie Oreti. All the fish gave good sport, and put up great fights before being landed.

The party are of the opinion that they were too early on the Eglington stream and that the run in that stream will not take place until July. The Eglington is a beautiful river, much larger than the Oreti, and full of deep pools and ripples, but it lias less food than the smaller stream.

A member of the party stated that what interested them most was the discovery that there were countless thousands of young salmon in the lake itself, mul when walking on the margin of the lake they could see the young fish plainly. There could be no question about their identity, and judging from the fine fish they had seen, anglers were in for some rare sport. In the future salmon fishing should be an irrestible attraction to anglers from all over the Dominion, and from his own experience he knew of many North Island men who were anxious to come down -od try their luck. Some people were apt to confuse Atlantic salmon with quinnat salmon, about which a great deal had lately been heard. Atlantic salmon, “salmo saly,” was a oreat British sporting fish, while quinnat was the Pacific fish and was not nearly so attractive from an angler’s point of view. The first fry were liberated as far back as 1574, and then spasmodically up to 1900. Later the Government took the matter in hand and roared fry at Lake Te Anau, and in 1916 liberated small quantities in several Southland streams.