AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

Western Star, 6 April 1920, Page 2

AMONG THE SWORDFISH.

LARGE CAPTURES MADE,

Taurauga, March 10. . After three weeks’ fishing off Mayor® Island, Colonel H. Calthorpe furnish-1 ed particulars concerning the sportf provided in those waters. He said I taut February 22 was a red-letter day’! tor him as it provided the best day’sfashing fie had over had, At about' , , a-m - he hooked a swordfish, which iiiade off at a great pace, frequently* jumping out. of the water. Before they could get the launch under way to follow the fish, ©very inch of lino uad been run off the colonel’s reel. At the last moment the swordfish changed its course, and this,, aided) by Uie launch persistently following the hah enabled him to recover about 100 yards of line. The fish continued to', ngnt for about an hour. It then grew tired, and was gradually drawn towards the launch. It repeatedly dived under the launch, and bn several occasmns fouled the line under the keel Eventually it came close to the boat and was harpooned. Although there were four powerful young men on the launch, they experienced great difficulty in getting the heavy fish aboard. It is estimated that it weighed not less than 4001 b. On the same, day another swordfish wa.s captured, its weight being 2041 b. A third) swordfish was captured a few days afterwards and weighed not less than 3001 b, Colouel Ckltiiorp has fished at the Bay of Islands, the Hen and Chickens ’ islands, the Great Barrier, Hawaii and on the East Coast, nijd consider for swordfish and) moko shark the waters off Mayo Island S’l I ,° St Hc also msiicd Oft tlie' coast of Burmah, and considers that the swordfish is by far mo strongest and swiftest big fish in the world. The American boast of their tarpon fishing, but in his opinion lfc is in no way comparable with the sport which the swordfish gives. Colonel Calthrop always uses the rod and line, andi does not fish with the •hand line.