ANGLING NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 42, 7 January 1921, Page 5

ANGLING NOTES.

(By "Creel.'')

"THE FISHING CAMP."

Yes, here it is again, at last, old chap, We've landed safely here, without mishap; So we can really be of jolly cheer, The bung is safely in the jar of . Everything seems so nice and sweet and clean, So make yourself at home in camp, old bean; The jolly fry-pan seems so glad to see us too; It's smiling there, old pal, just now, at you. So trot out now, the good old bac- and eggs, While I fix up a "possie" for the I'll fill a mng full up, now pal, for you, I think a glass is fairly overdue. The river seems to be in real good nick, We'll fit up now to do the proper trick ; And listen for the hum of running reel, We'll send a good report to our pal Creel. — By "Creel." & - Conditions throughout the holidayshave been fairly good, and I am sure our most ardent anglers have voted the past holidays ideal ones for real fine fishing. Waters have been fairly clear, fish have been very vigilant, and fine tackle, and an artistic cast has been the secretive method of bringing fish to the creel. Of course, I refer, in this statement, to anglers who fish in the daylight. At night time any old thing will do. The Oreti, unfortunately, after the Christmas holidays, showed a "fresh" for a few days, and spoilt the operations of some keen fly fishers for a time, but, ultimately, the river was fished when in good order, and some really nice fish were "bagged." There is no doubt that the Oreti river, when "right," is the most productive stream m Southland. "Creel" visited this river at Wallacetown, and fishing below the Iron bridge, encountered some really fine water, and obtained satisfactory results. Commencing operations about 2.30 p.m. with a bright sun prominent, and a strong nor'-wester, small fish' only were moved until a change of fly was tried. A silver bodied Alexander was used as a "dropper" and two nice fish of 2^1bs weight were bagged. Under the same conditions the writer has found this fly very effective, killing fish up to 51b s weight on this pattern. Thirteen nice fish were eventually "bagged." The Alexander, Eed body Waipahi, and Hardy's favourite being the flies used. Towards evening the writer was pleased to observe the number of small bullies, smelt etc. — natural f eed — that were to be seen in the shallows. A fine flounder about 15 inches long was also noticed. Mr Peter Fraser (Wallacetown), on the evening of the 28th December, caught two fish on McCarthy's Perfection minnow in the Makarewa. They weighed 6flbs and 3flbs respectively. Messrs Crofts and McKenzie visited Lake Waituna and secured eight fish on the artificial minnow. The heaviest fish were lOlbs, 8§lbs, down to 51bs. Mr Arthur Butt, fishing the Aparima, with the fly, secured nine fish in splendid condition. The heaviest fish weighed 2^ lbs. Hardy's Favourite was the popular flyI understand some good sport has been obtained recently at the Jacob's Estuary with the minnow, Kawhai being landed by some local Anglers Mr Lambeth fishing the Oreti at Lumsden, secured some fine fish. He reports that the trout are in good condition. The heaviest fish landed weighed 121bs. Mr R. Thomson, on the same river at Lochiel, creeled three fish 6ilbs, 31bs, and 2£ lbs on the floating worm. A report from Wyndham chronicles the result of angling by some enthusiasts on the Mataura River. Messrs Geo. Strang and F. A. Lindsay have been landing some nice fish on the fly in the evening when the fish seem to "take" better on this river. Fish from l^lbs to 51bs 3ozsx were "bagged," and Red Body Waipahi and Pomahaka the killing flies. The above information is very interesting and confirms the statement made by some anglers that when dredging operations cease, and the Mataura River clears to a normal colour, some of the finest fishing possible w£U be obtained on this river. A local angler visited the Waiau and landed some fine fish on the Perfection Minnow. The heaviest fish turned the scale at 14^1bs, and was declared by ex-

perts to be one of the finest specimens of female fish landed from this river. A party of fly fishers visited Benmore and were rewarded with good results. Light Caperer, Red Heckum, and Hardy's Favourite were the prominent flies. Some keen minnow fishers visited Lake Mavoura, and although the latter was too high^ for operations, some good sport was obtained on the Mararoa River, 10 fish being landed. The heaviest weighed 8J,lb s and was a perfect trout. Some large fish were encountered, one enthusiast declaring them to be as "big as a groper." The following is continuatipn of extract from recommendations made to the Hon. Minister of Marine by the recent conference of Acclimatisation Societies : — 10. That it be compulsory for each purchaser of a license (game or fish) to attach his or her signature on the license. 11. That Acclimatisation Societies' Rangers should have the right to search persons and buildings in cases under the Animals Protection Act, similar to the power given under the Fisheries Act, 1908, and similarly the right to search parcels in transit, under the Fisheries Act, 1908, as under the Animals Protection Act, 1908. 12. That the Government be urged to acclimatise Atlantic Salmon in any suitable river, and that not less than 2,000,000 Atlantic salmon ova be imported per annum for at least five years. 13. That the Government be asked to request Dr Tilyard to furnish a report as to the best means of increasing the food supply of the trout in our rivers. 14. That the Government be asked to amend both the Animals' Protection Act and Part II. of the Fisheries' Act by providing for the hearing before a Magistrate of all charges for breaches of either Act or of their Regulations. 15. That the Government be requested to submit drafts of all regulations to the Societies interested before Gazetting the same.16. That a system of notification be instituted whereby all secretaries of Acclimatisation Societies would be supplied with lists of all persons who had offended against the Acts and were thereby not entitled to purchase a license. 17. That the Government be asked to prohibit the deposit of rubbish in riverbeds.