SPORT FOR ANGLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19888, 6 March 1928, Page 10

SPORT FOR ANGLERS.

CATCHING THE BIG FISH.

HUGE GREY NURSE SHARK,

THREE MORE SWORDFISH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] RUSSELL, Monday. Tho latest big fish catches are as follows :

Mr. Rex Flinn, America, obtained a mako shark of 1581b. from the launch Avalon; Mr. Lambe, Australia, caught a huge sharJc of the grey nurse species, weighing 5861b., from the Rosemary; Mr. Hunt, of Chicago, caught a swordfish weighing 2531b., and Mr. Kimb&lf, also of Chicago, secured a swordfish weighing 2461b., while Mrs. Kimball caught a swordfish weighing 2821b.,- from the Alma G. The latter is a record catch, as it is the first time this season that three swordfish have been caught from one launch in one day. SPORT AT MAYOR ISLAND. LONG FIGHT WITH SWORDFISH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Monday. A party of Dannevirke sportsmen returned to-day from the Mayor Island grounds. They enjoyed excellent fishing and captured five swordfish, the heaviest weighing 3201b. Another large swordfish which was hooked towed the launch in a northerly direction on a zig-zag course for about 20 miles. This fish was held for five hours and ten minutes, and it then broke away. A largo mako shark was hooked but escaped. Many kingfish, the heaviest weighing about 801b., were caught. FEWER SWORDFISH. AN INVESTIGATION SUGGESTED. A suggestion that an expert investigation should bo made into tho relative scarcity of big fish in the North was made last evening by Sir Tom Bridges, ex-Gov-ernor of South Australia, who recently returned from his second visit to the Bay of Islands in quest of swordfish. Although a swordfish, two mako sharks and others of the hammerhead and thresher variety had fallen to his rod within a fortnight, Sir Tom Bridges commented that the fish had been much more rare than on his previous visit a year ago —an experience that was not singular. "One swordfish to eight or ten boats is not good enough," he added, laughingly. Discussing the possible reasons for the decrease in tho number of big fish, the visitor said the long spell of fine weather, with clear, calm seas, might be a factor—to just what extent would, he presumed, be ascertained by a study of the feeding habits of these denizens of the northern waters. Emphasising that he did not desire to "lay down the law respecting fishing," Sir Tom suggested it might be that the fish had become wary of the increasing number of anglers or simply reduced in numbers. If this were so it might he advisable to "spell" certain areas of the grounds alternately, but it was all a matter for investigation by experts.

QUINNAT SALMON. A REMARKABLE RUN. ANGLER'S RECORD CATCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. There was a remarkable run of quinnat salmon in the Rakaia River during the week-end, and several anglers secured good baskets. What is considered the record catch of this fish yet taken was secured by Messrs. C. I. Denby and W. B. Berry, who landed 25 fish, of a total weight' of 4351b. All were in excellent condition. The biggest fish weighed 251b. ABUNDANCE OF TROUT. FISH IN TAUPO WATERS. MANY SPLENDID CATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT."] TOKAANU, Monday. As the result of recent rains trout are now running up ihe Tongariro River in shoals. Already a number of the np-river pools are yielding splendid sport. The fish are in excellent condition. Most of the river fish landed average 81b. to. 101b., the largest weighing 14£lb. Numerous rods, fishing at the months of this river, have had no difficulty in securing their 15 fish each daily. The river camps are now open and numerous bookings from overseas anglers are being received.

FISH HT LAKE ARAPUNI, OVER THIRTY FINE TROUT. ' [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AWAMUTU, Monday. Good sport was secured by three Te Awamutu anglers during the week-end on the upper reaches of the Waikato River. Tlioy motored to the new lake at Arapuni and then, with an outboard motor-boat, they went to the head of the lake and up the river to a point 25 miles above Arapuni. Up to 3 p.m. yesterday they secured 31 splendid fish, all in good condition and of fair size. Several other anglers were also Enjoying good sport. Tho scenery at the head of the lake and along the river is declared to' be wonderful.