THE FISHING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19214, 31 December 1925, Page 10

THE FISHING SEASON.

ATTRACTION TO SPORTSMEN. VISITORS. FROM OVERSEAS. RUSH TO RUSSELL NEXT MONTH GREAT MANY BOOKINGS MADE. If there is anything that makes New Zealand a popular holiday resort it is the lure of fishing. Tho many lakes and streams and tho waters off tho coast-line afford some of tho most exhilarating sport tho world can offer. The fishing attractions are a national asset, for hundreds of visitors yearly come from overseas to enjoy them and consequently a large amount of money is circulated. Furthermore, the Dominion is advertised greatly overseas on account of its fishing resources. It is only during tho past few years that New Zealand has come to be known overseas as the fisherman's paradise. It is also only within recent times that New Zealand sportsmen themselves have come to realise that they have, right at their very doors, sport of a kind that cannot be excelled anywhere. Every year sees a greater number of visitors from overseas and this season is expected to be a record one. With regard to deep-sea fishing for sword-fish and mako shark, Russell is already almost fully booked for January and succeeding months. All the launches have been reserved for some time ahead and, provided the weather is suitable, fish should be plentiful. Tauranga and Mercury Bay should also attract large numbers of sportsmen. Sport at Mercury Bay. It is interesting to note that since lastseason Mercury Bay has been established as a dcep-ses fishing centre on a proper basis, A club known as the Mercury Bay Swordfish and Mako Shark Club has been formed and the sport is being controlled as in other centres. Launches can bo hired and arrangements have been made for the weighing of fish. Speaking of sword-fishing yesterday, an experienced sportsman stated that innumerable grounds on tho East Coast had yet to bo discovered. A school of swordi fish had been seen the other day off Opotiki. As far as the number of sportsmen who | will visit New Zealand from overseas is concerned, the Tourist Department is in the dark. Except in a few cases, visitors from overseas do not herald their arrival and until they make inquiries about accommodation their mission here is not I known. However, Mr. Zane Grey, the famous American novelist, is due in New ! Zealand early in February and will proceed to Russell for deep-sea sport The I American yacht Kaimiloa, with tho owner, | Mr. M. R. Kellum, and party, will also visit Russell. Trout Fishing Prospects. A very good trout-fishing season is expected. " I do not expect tho fish to be big, but they should bo plentiful and should provide very good sport," stated Mr. C. A. Whitney, president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society yester- | day. "So far there have been no reports jof very good catehes, but the fishing j should improve later on." Mr. Whitney referred to tho depreda- [ tions of Maoris in taking fish from well- ! known lakes and streams during tho winter. This had something to do with the smallness of the fish. It was hoped to put an end to poaching in tho Auckland Province next year. The law was on the side of the Acclimatisation Societies and offenders were being heavily punished. Recently a Maori and a European were each fined £2O for poaching. There has been a decided increase in the number of licenses taken out, indicating that the sport is becoming yearly more popular in New Zealand. Reports indicate that the average size of the fish being taken from Lake Taupo is six pounds and in the Rotorua district ortiy 2|- pounds. It- is expected that few fish will be taken this season exceeding ten pounds in weight, TAURANGA WATERS. ABUNDANT SPORT OFFERING. MOTITI AREA TO BE TESTED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAURANGA, Wednesday. Launch parties report that hapuku, kawhai, schnapper, and other fish are exceptionally plentiful in the area between Mount Maunganui and Motiti Island, and fine sport with the rod and line has been obtained in the last few days in this locality. The launch Virginia, with Messrs. H. J. and R. Greenslade, and a party from Hamilton on board, visited the neighbourhood of Motiti yesterday, and secured 15 hapuku, over a dozen kingfish, and many schnapper and other fish. A sportsman on board another launch stated that there were acres of fish in shoals near Motiti Island. He had never Seen kirigfish and kawhai so numerous. If line men had been available thev could have caught the fish in countless numbers, especially kingfish, which were present in all sizes and biting freely. His party secured as many as they wanted in a very short time, and tijen desisted. The surface of the ocean was literally swarming with fish. These grounds are within "an hour's run by launch from Tauranga Harbour, and have lately been well patronised by sport ing parties. A continuance of fine weather should result ir some heavy catches with rod and line. Several parties aro now making arrangements to test thi swordfishing and mako shark sport in the waters off Mayor Island, and it is also intended to make search for big game fish off Motiti Island. TOWED BY A SHARK. A CAPTURE NEAR THAMES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] THAMES. Wednesday. Twelve months ago Mr. J, Oliphant, of Te Awamutu, landed a shark off Puru, about seven miles from Thames. Yesterday afternoon he set out in a dinghy to repeat the performance, and succeeded, lam'ing a shark of the grey nurse variety 9ft. 4iu. long. The shark was booked about a mile, from shore. It set. off at speed, towing the dinghy, but was eventually headed shorewards and brought up on the beach.