FIGHT WITH SWORDFISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 8

FIGHT WITH SWORDFISH

ENCOUNTER IN A DINGHY

BOAT MISSED BY INCHES FISHERMAN'S STERN STRUGGLE v L - • ' [from our own correspondent] RUSSELL, Tuesday A thrilling fight between a swordfish and a man in a dinghy was witnessed off Cape Brett. Mr. H. Stonex, of Russell, was a member of a party in the launcli Valhalla. As the others wished to do some schnapper fishing, Mr. Stonex put off in a dinghy near Bird Rock with his rod for big-game- fish. He did not carry harness.

About noon he hooked a swordfish, which put up a wonderful display. Again and again leaping from the water, it would rush off and back again to the dinghy, on one "occasion missing the boat by a few inches and drenching Mr. Stonex with water.

Those in the launch had some anxiety for Mr. Stonex's safety and urged him to continue the struggle on the launch. He remained in the dinghy for about 20 minutes and was then helped into the launch.

The fish leaped 37 times in all. Mr. Stonex refused the use of harness, but, stripped to the waist, steadily fought bis fish to a standstill. The combat lasted about one hour and 20 minutes. .When the fish was landed at Russell it weighed in at 2301b.

Mr. Stonox received warm congratulations for what he considers is the finest fight he has ever experienced with a biggame fish.

GALES AT MAYOR ISLAND MR. ZANE GREY WAITING [by telegraph —own correspondent] -WHITIANGA, Tuesday Mr. Zane Grey's party has now been camped for 43 days at Mercury Bay. In this period there were no less than 23 stormy days.

Mr. Zane Grey has caught 20 fish to date, the largest mako weighing 5101b., and the largest swordfish 3401b. He thinks that, should good summer weather arrive, excellent sport will eventuate. No less than 17 marlin were raised in trolling one day, but only three were taken. If February is fine and warm Mr. Grey expects to exceed his 1929 record of 120 big fish.

AT WHANGAROA

HAMILTON FISHERMAN'S RECORD

[BY telegraph—OWN correspondent] "WHANGAROA, Tuesday

After an excellent day's sport at the Ruahine Reef, "Whangaroa, Mr. Stanley Ellis, of Hamilton, returned yesterday evening with another three game fish, two swordfisK, weighing 2351b, and 2001b. respectively, and a mako shark of 2251b. The larger swordfish proved one of tfie best fighters handled by Mr. Ellis this season. He has landed close upon a score of big fish since the season opened.

Game-fish are very plentiful and are reported to be taking the bait -well. Line fishermen, in many cases, have had adventurous experiences with both mako and swordfish while kingfishing near Stephenson's Island.