LURE OF THE BIG FISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19496, 27 November 1926, Page 11

LURE OF THE BIG FISH.

SPORT IN NEW ZEALAND.

A FAST-SPREADING FAME.

COMMENTS BY LONDON TIMES

The interest that the attractions of deep-sen fishing in New Zealand's northern waters is arousing among fishermen in England is indicated by an article on the subject that appeared in the editorial columns of the Times on October 15. "New Zealand has long been celebrated for its trout-fishing," says the writer, "but it seems destined to acquire at least equal fame for its sea-fishing. This branch of sport is rapidly increasing its popularity both at home and abroad, but probably nowhere does it now offer the prospect of such sustained and exciting struggles as in the waters off the North Island. Largely owing to the visit, early this year, of an American angler of wide experience in deep-sea fishing, new vistas have been opened in what was already a rapidly developing branch of New Zealand sport." A reference to last season's sword-fish-ing of? Cape Brett is followed by these remarks:—"The peculiar interest of this year's fishing was the capture of two species of great game-fish—the broadbill swordfish and another member of the same family now called the black marlin—of which the former appears to have been only twice caught in New Zealand waters in half a century and never before on rod and line. One of these black marlin weighed 9761b., and is the heaviest fish yet taken in this manner. It is interesting to note that both these species seem to have been already familiar to American sea-anglers in 'warm waters north of the equator. Their recurrence so far to the south is still more surprising, 3nd so far more fruitful in its consequences, than the identification of the tarpon of the coasts of Florida on the opposite Nigerian shore of the Atlantic."

The writer goes on to say:—"To some fishermen who have derived lifelong pleasure from angling for salmon onetenth or one-twentieth of a swordfish's weight, or for trout far smaller, there is still a lack of attraction about the thought of capturing these huge seafish. They are inclined to the suspicion that it is largely a matter of brute force, and devoid of the finer thrills. Diversity of taste will remain, and the thousand-pound shark or swordfish—for there is little doubt that some rod will soon land one—will give no greater delight to the wise angler than some twopound trout from a bushy brook where throe or four ounces is the usual size. " The sport in sea-fishing, enven more perhaps, than in fishing in more confined waters, depeuds mainly on the combined delicacy and strength of the tackle; and the great recent impulse to New Zealand sea-fishing seems due partly to the trial of new patterns and methods, and partly to the increasing enterprise in the exploration of new waters which has been ac- | celerated this year."