Anglers’ deputation

On Tuesday afternoon at Timaru, a deputation of anglers waited on the Hon. T. M. Wilford (Minister of Marine), in connection with fishing in South Canturbury. Mr J. E. Pigott said that there were three principal trout streams in South Canturbury, one of which had a worldwide reputation as a flyfishing river, and all of which used to provide good sport, but which now provided very indifferent sport for anglers. Years ago an angler could go out any night to the Opihi and get a creel of 30 fish from 1lb to 3lb each without any trouble, but today it was hard to get a sprat. The reason assigned for the falling off was the undue toll taken by worm fishermen, and the fact that the rivers required restocking with fish of new blood. The deputation considered that a portion of the Opihi, from the main traffic bridge over the Opihi, at Arowhenua, up to Hanging Rock, a distance of eight or 10 miles, should be prohibited for all but fly fishing. This would ensure some sport for the whole season, and would give the fish a chance which they would not get when the whole river was being wormed. Mr Wilford, in reply, said that as a fisherman he was delighted to meet the deputation. He could not understand a man fishing with the worm; he would as soon shoot a hen pheasant sitting. As Minister of Marine he intended to do what he could to keep fly water for fly fishing, but in justice to worm fishermen, he must hear what they had to say before giving a definite reply. If they could not make out a case against the one presented to him that afternoon he would promise to immediately take steps to have a portion of the Opihi gazetted for fly fishing only. — ODT, 4.1.1919