WITH THE ROD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1921, Page 3

WITH THE ROD.

(By

“Ripple.”

There is a song in the heart of the Taranaki angler. It has never been set to music it has no defined words, it is just a merry lilt of joyful anticipation! Anticipation of October I', the greatest day of the year for the true angler. What matter if big international questions are agitating the minds of the whole universe, or tidal waves sweep away whole continents, and volcanoes submerge the land with lava. Another angling season is hovering on the horizon, and hour by hour the wonderful opening day steals- nearer. Anglers are living in a world of dreams, and nothing will awaken them until the shades of night of October 1 proclaim that another angling season has been launched successfully or otherwise —may it be the former!

What angler has not been busy with his gear? The pet rod—discarded at the end of last season and probably pitched into some obscure corner—has been overhauled. The reel and line have been tested, and as the musical click of the rachet has sounded in his ears every nerve in his body has thrilled to the wonderful music. The fly-book has been examined and replenished with gor-geously-tied new creations to lure the trout to destruction on the great day of days. Casts and traces have been stretched and placed in soak to give added strength and pliability to the silken gossamer. Fishing waders have been mended and river boots oiled and fresh hob-nails affixed. Even the flask (to be used exclusively to prevent the angler taking a chill) has been filled with “soda water,” and reposes safely in the inner pocket of the old fishing jacket. Everything is ready and waiting, and each angler wonders what the gods have in store for him for to-day. LOCAL PROSPECTS.

In the Taranaki streams the prospects are good, really better than ever before. Even the elements have conspired to make the approaching angling season the most promising. Floods have been scarce through the winter, and with the ! mild early spring weather, feed for the irout must have been plentiful. In addition to bullies and minnows in our streams the whitebait has been on the run for the past six weeks. Flies, gnats, . and moths that usually are not seen j until the middle of November are in evidence, and on quiet evenings the big orown four and six pounders may he seen lazily swimming up to the top of the water and sucking in these flitting dainties, while the smaller trout may be observed rushing up with a splash tn secure a share of the winged spoil. One of the outstanding features of angling in Taranaki streams at the end’ i of last season was the large number of small, trout in evidence—fine plump, little fellows from J to Hlbs. With the suitable conditions obtained during the past six months these will now be lusty two pounders, perhaps even heavier. Reports from all streams in Taranaki state that trout are showing up well and this augurs well for a good season.

GOOD WORK AT THE HATCHERIES. The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society is deserving of praise for the good work done at their new hatcheries in. Pukekura Park. To have built and equipped the hatcheries and hatched out and distributed over .300,000 strong, brown, and. rainbow trout, ,al] in a few months, is a creditable performance. This was made possible by the whole-hearted and sportsmanlike work of Mr. W. J. Bell, assisted by Mr. Bowen and members of the Acclimatisation Council. Messrs. 801 l and Bowen, in particular, have for months past given several hours daily to the work, and ask for no further reward than the chance of stocking our splendid streams with good sporting fish. On the eve of such a hopeful season I know every angler will have, picked out in his mind the stream he intends to visit. -May he find the limpid pools to his liking, with hero and there a lusty four-pounder, awaiting his skill, am! from the sparkling ripples may he get many a sporting fight and so flit his creel by sundown.

“When a feller’s feel in’ lazy, when the spring is cornin’ round, When the sun is gettin’ friendly—sorter warming up the ground, It is then I get the fever an’ 1 hunt my rod and lino. An’ I’ve got to go-a-fishin’ for I know They’re bitin’ fine. When the work has all been finished an’ we’re foot-loose for the week, Then I gather up my tackle for a -full day at the creek, To wander there contented with my old briar pipe alight. An’ smoke and dream and cast away while ’waiting for a bite.

I like to land one now and then—it help’s a feller’s fame. But if I don't I make no kick but cast on just the same, An’ like each good angler, when I gqt home, I say— I hooked a powerful big one—but he broke and got .away.

When we are called from this old world to join the angel band, I hope the thing will work-out so I’ll somehow be on hand, An’ if the good Lord lets me have the job fer which I’m wishin’ I’ll sort me out some shady stream and jest keep on a-fishin.’ ”