PISCATORIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 28

PISCATORIAL.

An Order-in-Conncil declares that in all parts of the colony salmon, young salmon, salmon fry, trout, young trout, and troilt fry, together with all other sal monoids, and also all white fish, tench, and perch, which have been introduced into the colony, shall be and are hereby protected ; subject, however, to the operation of such open seasons for fishing for and taking such fish as the Governor may from time to time declare by regulations to be made under " The Salmon arid Trout Act 1867." Regulations for trout fishing under the Salmon and Trout Act in North Canterbury, Nelson, South Canterbury, Geraldine, Waitaki, Otago and Southland districts are published to-night. In July the Marine, department wrote to th© United States Fishery Bureau asking for a further supply of ova of various species, and a reply has just been received from Professor Baird, who states that he will have great pleasure in meeting the wishes of the New Zealand Government as far as possible. He thinks he can. supply as many white-fish eggs as are wanted, but ia somewhat doubtful as to the land-locked salmon and Calif ornian trout. There will be no charge for white-fish except the expense of forwarding them from Michigan to San Francisco. Probably (he says) the bureau will have to obtain trout from someone else. It is very pleasant to read the reports of the work done under the United States Fish Commission, because they show so markedly the advantages that flow from an enlightened recognition of what science can do when, directly applied to the solution of a large national problem. After perusing some of their reports it does not seem difficult to imagine the time when the fisherman will herd his shoal of mackerel or herring as the shepherd herds his cattle and sheep to-day. The first rude savage that tried to rear the young of the wild sheep instead of trusting to the chances of the chase was in about the sanio position as regards his meat as we are in r,ogtird to our fish to-day. The American biologists in charge of the fish stations have had great trouble in discovering a reliable process for hatching the eggs of the cod. More than forty different forms of apparatus have been devised, and with very little success till it was found that the secret lay in giving the gentlest possible up-and-down motion to the water in which tho eggs were floating. An apparatus founded on this principle enables one mau'to look after the hatching of 100,000,000 eggs. ,Cod eggs are wonderfully delicate things ; a little fresh water introduced into a tank containing them kills them by the million. That is the reason for the tremendous fecundity of the cod ; it has to produce millions of eggs in order to provide for heavy casualties, and finally yield, perhaps, a score of fish. OTAGO ANGLEKS' ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Otago Anglers' Association was held in the Coffee Palace on Friday evening and was attended by upwards of 30 members. president's bemarks. The President (Mr P. F. Stoddart) addressed the meeting as follows :■ — It is satisfactory to report on the success of this association, which has now entered its sixth year. Our members have increased, the competitions have been well kept up, really fine baskets of trout have been caught. Information has been afforded during intervals about the conditions and prospects of the rivers in Otago and other provinces, and it has proved to be of great service to strangers and New Zealand anglers generally. Now the association is fairly established and recognised as the premier angling club ia the Southern Hemisphere. It has always encouraged fair fishing either with fly or bait (which if used in daylight in clear waters requires as much skill as fly) and I think the most fastidious angler ought to be satisfied." The competitions with artificial fly only had never been very successful, the fish not rising so freely as they do at Home, bottom feed being so abundant. Theintroductionof Loch Leven and Scotch burn trout may make a new era in that respect, but that remains to be seen. It was a pity the Sunday question cropped up afc the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society. The settlers generally understand it, but; as a few do not I may explain: — Mr Begg at the first meeting brought up a motion that the clause in our last year's licenses which defines ' that no one should fish from midnight of Saturday night to midnight of Monday be inserted in the licenses this year . Now, as this is an innovation which has been proved to be unworkable for the last three years (there was really more Sunday fishing, which thesociety'could not prevent, going on during these years than before ib was on the licenses), also that no other society has the clause on their licenses, besides the settlers' having the power to turn off anyone fishing against their wishes, therefore in the opinion of the majority of the council it was not thought necessary to have it on the licenses. Neither the Acclimatisation Society nor this association- have ever countenanced Sunday fishing, and ' in one instance this society expelled a member who had not only fished on a Sunday but abused the proprietor for remonstrating with him for so doing. Gentlemen, tho society starts with a fair prospect of a good fishing season, andas there willbe funds tor prizes the competitions ought to be good. The hon. secretary, Mr Marshall,'has worked well, and the success attending the association is greatly due to his exertions. ANNUAL RBFORT. The committee of this assoc'ation have now the pleasure of laying before its members the report of its proceedings for the season 1885-6. MEMBERSHIP. In spite of the dull times. &c , our roll of membership still keeps up. 30 memo -rs having paid their subscriptions last season. Several of our new members (who in two or three cases are beginners) have rendered a very good account of themselves during the past season, and if they go on at the same rate of improvement our crack anglers, who are generally to the fore in the competitions, will have to get up a little earlier in the morning if they wish to keep at the top ot the tree. COMPETITIONS. We arranged for nine competiiions during the last season, but the entries were not by a long wav up to the average of pabfc years, 'i he leith competitions were almost absolute failures en far an the number ot entries ia concerned, only three or tour entering for them. Members seemed' to take no interest whatever In thesn competitions, although they were fixe ' for Saturday aftt rnooiig and very liberal prizes offered. * The competition for the association's gol.l medil brought out nearly all the crack men, and the first competition was quite up to the average of former years. The medal Mas eventually won by Mr \V Digby Smith with a total weight of 4G}l> I 0m Z; Mr Carlton taking the second prize, a silver 'meda', with a total weight of 441b 2£oz. Owing to Illness Mr Smith was unable to compete at the last competition for this tnsdal, bub having made such capital

baskets In the first two competitions, the other competitors were unable to overtake him. The gold medal presented by tho Otago Acclimatisation Society for bare fly fishing was won by Mf W. Carlton. This competition was fished off on the Lee stream, but owing to the low state of tbe river very poor baskets were obtained. Mr Oarlton's basket weifihsd 3lb and Mr S. Thompson's 21b lo^. A number of the members thinking thit-a single competition was hardly ft fair test of who was the best fly iish»r, thought it advisable to ask the Acclimatisation Society to alter their conditions for this season's competition. They very kindly acceded to oar -wishes, and have deciJed that this year there will be two competitions— one on the Waipahi and one on the Pomahaka; dates to be axed by our Match Committee. The silver medal presented by this association brought out eight competitors, 'i his was one of the best competitions of the season, 84 fish being caught, weighing 114 Ji b; Mr Thompson's basket of 27 ti6h, weighing 411b, taking tho medal. Water-of-Leith Competitions.— Some of the members, thinking that those unfortunates who oou'd nob get away to the ordinary competitions should have a chance to show off their abilities on this stream, suggested that a series of three Saturday afternoon competitions should be arranged. This suggestion was given effect to, but judging from the small number ot entries received, we do .lot thinl? the experiment worth repeating this season. The first competition, on October 3, was won by Mr Geo. Coombs, with a basket of six fish, weighing 31b 2oz. Th*> second, on November 7, Mr Chas. Duncan succeeded in carrying off, with a basket of 22 fish, weighing 81b lloz. For the last competition, on December o, only one entry was received, that ot Mr Geo. Coombs." His basket weighed lib lloz, three fish. The total weight of fish caught at the various competitions was 3001b lloz, and the total number of fish 2158. Although we held three extra competitions last season, we caught 28 lish less and are 691b 9£oz behind the total weight of the previous season. No doubt the extremely dry weather and the low 6tate of the best fishing rivers had a lot to do with this state of affairs, and the fact that nearly all our competitions happened to be fixed for the latter end of the season, when the rivers were all at their lowest levels. The fly rod that Mr Jas. Wilkie offered for competition on January 15 was not competed for, owing to the Shag river being so very low on that date. It was thought best by the Match Committee to hold over the prize until this season. To Messrs A. B. Kitchener, Alex. Munro, and other settles the thanks of this association are due for their kind permission in allowing our members to fish over their respective properties. ' Fishing.— Although the drought-affected all the streams handy t> Dunedin (and many ot those at a dis 1 ance) to such an extent that angling was very little indulged in on the larger streams, and for the smaller streams not worth the trouble of putting up the rod. yet. taking all things into consideration, we arc still able to show a very fair return, for the past season. The Shag, as is usual on the Ist of October, was "rushed," a number of our t)C3t anglers going up tho night previous, so as to be in readiness to start at the first break of dawn. I see by looking over my notes that; Mr Jas. Wilkio secured the heaviest basket on the Ist, vi/,., 20 fish, weighing 301b ; while Messrs Snowden, Ait Ken, Chisholm, Carlton, Munro, and others also had good takes. From the Ist of October to the 10th I have recorded a total weight of 389}1b of trout caught by 11 of our members in this stream. The Waif.ati.— Some capital fishing was obtained on this well-known stream during the middle part of the sea 3 on ; the best basket that I have a record of is that ot Mr R. A. Johnstone's— viz.. 17 fish, weighing 12lb Boz. It is not generally known that the lower waters of this stream are teeminu with heavy fish, especially towards the latter part of the season, and I have no doubt if some of our members who are skilful minnow fishers gave it a trial when there is a good breeze on the water, using the smelt or , phantom minnow as a lure, they would be well rewarded. The Leith.— Thi3 favourite stream did not show up very well last season, and for the amount of fishing that was done the returns are very poor indeed. In the g 'Od old days 10 or 12 yeirs aeo it was iio uncommon thing to go out for a morning's fishing after a freshet and get a capital basket of 16 to 20 fish averaging in weight from Jib to lslb. but nowadays a basket of six or sev^n Jib fish is thought something of. But in those days there were no piper milu to pollute the water, no sawmills to take the water off the best reaches and fill all the pools below with sawdust, or borough councils to cut new channels and take away the natural shelter for the fish -nothing, in fact, to disturb the speckled beauties but an occasional angler. The Molyneux. — This, tho largest river in New Zealand, bids fair to be one of the best rivers for troufc fishing in <he colony. Last season it afforded splendid sport to anglers resident in Ealclutha, Stirling, and Kaitangata— it being currently reported In this city last season that all the available saplings in the Kaitangata bush had been cut down for fishing rods, fish were so plentiful and easily caught. That the river was very full of fish and many large baskets made we know ; but if I were to chionicle some of the reported takes .I'm afraid our members would think I had been pirating some of those famous American fish stories. Kaitangata and Tuakitoto Lakes.— These lakes are known to contain large quantities of heavy trout and also perch, but up to the present I have no record ot any baskets being made. Waihola lake, is well stocked, and all the streams that flow into it are full of medium-sized fish ; but most of these streams being difficult of access they are very rarely fished, but those that have tried them always made capital baskets. Large quantities of heavy fish are taken in the Henley canal at the Berwick bridge, principally with the artificial minnow at night. The fish rise freely when the tide is coming in; at other times they are very sluggish. The Waiwera, Kuriwao, and Kaihiku rivers all suffered severely from the drought, the two last named nearly running dry during the latter p^u-t of the season. This, of course, d<-terred a number of our members from visiting these favourite streams. However, Mr W. Aitken managed to secure one or two very nice baskets during the early part of tho season. The Pomahaka. — This stream in time will bo the favourite rende/.vous for most of our enthusiastic members. Here there is water to suit the most fastidious angler. If he prefers broad reaches with occasional ripples, he can have it just to his liking by going to the upper reaches between the Conical Hills t and Pomahaka sidings. But if he likes the rough broken water with swirls and eddies innumerable, falls and runs every 100 yards or so, let him take the lower waters beginning at the Conical Hills tunnel and extending for miles down the river. All this water is well stocked, the fish averaging from 21b to 81b in weight, and anexpert minnow fisher can always rely on gpttingabig basket any timeafter November. Messrs D. Keid and G M. Marshall, who camped on this stream for 14 days during the latter part ot February last season, caught in 10 days 62 fish, weighing]solb. Mr Reid's best daywns 11 fish, and Mr Marshall's, 12, caught from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m ; the lure used being crickets and grasshoppers. This river can be best fished from Waipahi, it being only about two miles distant from the hotel. The Waipahi. — My last year's report on the capabilities of this river no doubt induced the large number of anglers who usually spend their holidays trouting to give this stream a trial ; from nil accounts everyone seemed very well satisfied with it, some really capitnl takes being recorded. Mr was very lucky on this stream. I have a note of some of his best days •. On December ], five fish, 141b; December 2. seven fish, 3i fib ; December 18, four fish, 101b 10-Jo/;. Mr J. P. Maitland also made a very good basket on November 11 — viz., nin« fish, weighing 311b. Messrs W. Yuill. W. Digby Smith, R. Chisholm. J. Wilkie. D. Keid, and many others also had good baskets at different times. The Otaria, a tributary of the Waipahi, Is a 6tream that has been very little fished by our membprs. On November 9 a party of gentlemen ' from Gore visited it and succeeded in landing 65 fish, and on November 11 three gentlemen from Clinton made a capital basket of 28 fish. Mr D. Reid, one ot our mem bers, also fished it about th s time. He re ports the Btream to bo well stocked wilh large fish tliat rise freely to the fly. It was at tlie junction of this stream with the'Waipahi that Mr Robert Couperwaite killed a trout weigh ng 141b on December 7. -\v ibli the minnow. A rumour was circuited in Dunedin last seison that aNvery killing fiy tfas wa-A on tin's stream by some pt'raono, and that very many lai'gu fi^h wn - e risen with it. On making inquiries, we find the fly a long-handled sluice fork. From iu'nnnation received, wo do not think it is likely f.o make its appearance this season. Catliu'p river, Hip Ownkc, Glenomnni, and Puerua streams are rsuely visited by our members. They are well stocked, and the few that did vjsit

them report getting heavy baskets of well-con-ditioned fish. The Waitaki and its tributaries are now full of large trout, so also is the Mataura and Onti. Members therefore have plenty of well-stocked rivers to choose from for their holiday trouting excursions. Fe>Bonal, &c— Wo have again to express our thanks to Messrs Burt aud Reilly(the Acclimatisation Society's rangers), and also to Constables M'Kenzie, Walker, and Conn, for their effort* in protecting lur sti earns troni poachers, &o. ; while to AJr Deans, the indefatigable manager of the Acclimatisation Society's hatcheries at Opoho, we are greatly indebted for much valuable information concerning the fishing capabilities of a uumber of tho mor.e distant streams. In conclusion, we ■wish to sny that the sole aim and object of this association is to do everything in its power to encourage ligitiinate iishingr as well as to foster a healthy and innocent means of recreation ; therefore all who take an interest in the sport should support us, ■which they can best do by joining our ranks. We hope, therefore, to see a large muster of anglers at our annual meeting this evening at tho Coffee Palace, whether they are members or not. G-ko. M. MARSHAr.Ii, Hon. Sec. The report and balance sheet were adopted. NEW MEMBERS. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society :— Messrs Yuill, J. Corbett, and W. Bragg. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers of the society were elected : — President, Mr R. C. Stoddart ; vicepresidents, Messrs Carlton and Best ; hon. secretary, Mr G. M. Marshall ; hon. treasurer, Mr W. D. Smith; auditor, Mr Peake; committee of management, Messrs Edgar, Johnson, Munro, Chisholm, Wilkie, Thompson, R. S. Smith, Yuill, W. Aitkin, and Snowden. SUNDAY FISHING. Mr Boot suggested that the association should express an opinion upon the question of fishing on Sundays. Mr Chisholm said there was nothing in the regulations regarding Sunday fishing, but the fact was that the regulations had been so altered as to encourage fishing on Sundays. It seemed to him that this was a matter of greater importance than some were disposed to think it was, as some of the settlers through whose properties the best streams ran so strongly objected to Sunday fishing that, if it were persisted in, they v would not allow anyone to go on their ground to fish on week days. He would move—" That this association would place on record its regret thab the Acclimitisation Society has seen fit to so alter its regulations as to encourage Sunday •fishing." Mr Boot was not quite willing to second the motion, but would move — " That the association, while having uo right to dictate to fishers in general, would respectfully rcques.t members to abstain from Suuday fishing." Mr Chisholm's motion was not seconded, and lapsed. Mr Munuo seconded Mr Boot's motion. ' He expressed the opinion that members of the association did not care about fishing On Sunday, but the presence oi members on the streams was likely to prevent poachers. They should endorse the motion, to show that they were not likely to fish on Sundays. For his part he might be on a river 50 times on Sundays and would not think of throwing a line over it. Mr Carlton thought it was a mistake to introduce any religious question into the discussions of the society, and that on this question the remarks made by Mr J. P. Maitland at the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society were thoroughly conclusive. If settlers objected to people going on their properties to fish on Sundays they could easily, prevent them. It seemed to him absurd that the'"regulations should permit a man to carry a gun and shoot on Sundays and yet prevent fishing on Sundays. So far as he could see there was no more harm in catching fish on Sunday than in gathering fruit from a garden or cutting a cabbage. Mr Boot said he had not anticipated any discussion, but wished to explain now that he purposely avoided dealing with the religious aspect of the question. A sufficient reason for the motion seemed to' him to be found in the fact that settlers on rivers objected to Sunday fishing, and he thought that as they were dependent upon the courtesy of those settlers for the right to fish on their properties they could not act contrary to their wishes. Mr Wilkie thought it was a different matter for the association to deal with this question than for the Acclimatisation Society to make any change in its regulations. He considered that the members of the association had a perfect right to say that its members would not fish on Sundays, and did not object to the motion. He also mentioned that an impression had prevailed that the license granted by the socjety gave the holder a right to enter upon private properties and to fish there. That was not the case, and in order to prevent the impression in future a clause had been inserted in the regulations specially showing that no such right was acquired by the license. Mr Chisholm would not have withdrawn the motion but that tho one subsequently moved entirely met his views. What he wanted was an unmistakable expresion of opinion that members of the society did not sympathise with Sunday fishing. The motion was eventually carried, 12 voting for, and two against it. HAILWAY FAKES. Mr Boot suggested that the association should endeavour to get tickets issued to anglers, on presentation of their licenses, at reduced fares. He would move that a deputation, consisting of Messrs Begg, Wilkie, Munro, and Stoddart, should wait upon the Premier asking for a reduction of railway fares to licenseholders. Mr Chisholm seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. POACHING. Mr Munro expressed satisfaction at the fact that Sergeant Conn had secured two convictions for poaching, and mentioned that members of the society had forwarded to him through Inspector Weldon a reward of £5 for his diligence. He thought they should do all they could to prevent poaching, and said that as a considerable sum of money was circulated by members of the association and license-holder 1 ' travelling about the country, if the residents of the country districts were alive to their own interests they wouH do all they could to encourage the society and to prevent poaching. Mr Chisholm suggested they should ask the Governor in Council to appoint all tbe members of the association rangers, .and a motion to that effect was agreed to. • At a meeting of the committee of the association it was arranged that the competitions should take place ns follows :— A\(jlkus' Association Gold Medal: October ■21. Sling ; December 17, Waipahi ; March 11, Pomalinkn. Hours : 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Accumati-atiox Society's Gold Medal (bare fly fishing): Waipnhi and Pomahaka on Thursday and Friday, race dvrs in February. Hours: Ba.m. to '1 p.m. Sit.vkr Jleuai, ; Shag river ; first compotion, Oth November, from fi a.m. to 4 p.m, Mr Wimcie's Fly, Kod, and Reel : Lee stream, ■January 23. Hours : 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.