ANGLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 154, 16 November 1912, Page 7

ANGLING.

(By "Ripple.") Several anglers have tried the Waiwakaiho during the week, and although no Large baskets have been reported, some nice fish have been taken on the fly. "Bradshaw's Fancy" seems to be an alluring fly to the Rainbow in this stream just now. Mr. A. IT. Johnstone took a fine well-conditioned 41b Rainbow with the fly, and Mr. L. Rae one. of about 4'/.lb. Both fish gave a good account of their fighting power before reaching the net. Other anglers report catches,of smaller fish. In fact none of the rodsmen I have met have returned without one or more fish in his creel.

; One hears a deal of discussion amongst "knights of the rod" as to how a fish i should be "struck" when he takes the hire. Many anglers in holding the rod . place a finger over the line just above the reel, and when the fish rises "strike" with the finger tightly compressed against the rod. In fly fishing this. is not a wise practice, as should the fish be only lightly hooked the jar is almost sure, 1 to tear the hook away. A better way is to leave the line free of the finger pressure, and let the reel take the force of the "strike." By this method there is tile necessary amount of play on the line when the fish darts away on his first rush after feeling the prick of the hook. Should the fish," be a good one, it is sometimes advisable, after the first rush, to hold the line in the finger and by a short sharp jerk drive the hook home. Many a good fish gains his liberty after toeing hooked by striking too heavily when by keeping the finger pressure off the lino and a little patience he would be easily netted. Of course when fishing in soiled or coloured water with the minnow it is sometimes a good plan to press the line against the rod with the fore-finger as in tin's sort of fishing the gear is stouter and will stand the jar without injury. With a big fish it' is often necessary to "strike" hard to drive the hooks home, as the inside of the fish's mouth is a very tough substance. But from what I can gather it is always advisable in fly-fishing to allow the line to run clear from the reel without any finger pressure whatever. A message to the Napier Telegraph from Taupo slates:—"Messrs Moeller, Martin and Geddis had a good day's sport imstealy rain on the lake yesterday. Their catch for the afternoon was thirty-five fish, averaging seven pounds, which was a good record for three rods, i Some of the fish were of fine size.and in splendid condition, but about one-third were poor. The waste of fish still goes on, and in this connection there is a highly profitable opening for an energetic man who understands the smoking of fish, and who has a few pounds with which to put up a smoke-house."