TARANAKI MEN AMONG BIG GAME FISH

Northern Advocate, 25 March 1937, Page 6

TARANAKI MEN AMONG BIG GAME FISH

Well-known Taranaki men on an eight-days’ deep-sea fishing visit to Russell are experiencing great results.

The first day drew' a blank, but on Tuesday Mr G. R. McLean, of Hawera, caught a striped marlin while and. fought the fish for an hour and a-quafter, whilst: friends followed proceedings excitedly. When weighed at Russell the fish rapped the scales at 3081bs.' Yesterday, shortly after putting the bait over the stern of the Ozorie, Mr B. C. Gibson, a very keen sportsman of Normanby, struck a striped marlin and had great sport for an hour and la-half. Eventually the fish was alongside and it proved to be a 255pounder, • The time was then only half-past nine in the morning. Not long, afterwards. a third member of the party, Mr E. L. Death, of Hawera, struck a big mako, which put up a great fight, 'also lasting an hour and a-half. It was very vicious in its struggles, but ht last it was conquered. It weighed 2641b5. Memorable Fight. Mr Harold Slater, completing the quartet, commenced to troll ' and caught a 1 small mako, but was soon taking part in a great struggle. The line was carried swiftly away and, when checked, a memorable fight, packed with thrills, set in. A? the fish was foul-hooked, it was able to tow. the. Ozone out to sea for about four miles. Due to the skill of the launchman, Mr Harold Vipcnd. the fish was not lost, and being well ■handled by Mr Slater, was brought in. R triumphant party arrived back in Russell, and Mr Slater’s fish proved to be a black marlin of 3251b5. The sportsmen declare the day to have been packed with excitement and praised their launchman for h.s skill. A Record Season. Mrs Ashley-Dodds, of England, has finished fishing from the Cavalli Islands and is operating from the camp at Otehei Bay and yesterday, fishing from the launch Alma G.II, had a double strike, this being one of a number that have taken place this year. With the wonderful weather prevailing during March, and with a month to go, the fishing season this year will constitute a record and augurs well for next' year, as visiting anglers have been most enthusiastic over their successes this season.