BIG FISH CAUGHT WITH BARE HANDS

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1948, Page 6

BIG FISH CAUGHT WITH BARE HANDS

WELLINGTON, Jan. 15. A resident of Pareffiata, Mr W. Pycroft, caught a 171 b snapper with his oare hands on Sunday. Mr Pycroft was sailing in a dinghy on Paremata harbour with his broth-er-in-law when they sighted the snapper feeding on a bank of cockles. Although he thought he had little chance of catching the fish, Mr Pvcroft leaned over the side of the boat while his brother-in-law sailed it quietly up to the snapper. Reaching down, Mr Pycroft grabbed the fish with both hands round its tail. It struggled furiously, and he could barely hold it. His brother-in-law then left the tiller and came to help him. The extra weight, added to the pull of the struggling fish, proved too much for the boat, which turned on its side, spilling the fish and the fishermen into waist-deep water. Still hanging on grimly to his Drize Mr Pycroft managed to get the fish into the swamped boat. Hi:r brother-in-law righted it, and they baled it out, and brought home their catch.