BIG GAME FISHING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19977, 20 December 1926, Page 12

BIG GAME FISHING.

NEW SEASON OPENED. FIRST CATCH MADE. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, December 18. The first swordfish of the new season baa been caught at the Bay of Islands. A telegram from Russell states that the catch was made in the vicinity of Bird Rock, the successful angler being Mr H. White Wickham, of London. The weight of the hsh is not mentioned. Mr White Wickham’s success can hardly bo attributed to a beginner’s luck, for the angler has already had considerable experience in this paiticular branch of the sport. He visited New Zealand last season, and was so delighted with the results of his fishing that he returned somewhat earlier this year, being one of the first enthusiasts to try the new season’s sport He left Auckland for Deep Water Cove on Monday. The first make shark of the 1926-27 season was landed a week or so ago. Mr White Wickham’s capture is the earliest December catch on . record, and the majority of the fishermen are only now making preparations for the new season. However, if further catches are reportea in the near future, it is likely that many enthusiasts will make an earlier start. With the increasing popularity of (he north, not only for deep-sea fishing but also as a holiday resort, Russell should be particularly gay over the approaching holiday poric.rl. The I > however, is not expected to bo obtained until some weeks later—early in the New Vear. The big game fishing season lust year at Capo Brett and Whangaroa constituted a world’s record, no fewer than 375 fish being landed on the rod and line. The total veight of the fish landed was 42 tons llcwt Oqr 201 b. the fish being officially weighed bv the Bay of IslartHs Swordfish and Mako Shark Club.