ZANE GREY’S PLANS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1926, Page 4

ZANE GREY’S PLANS

FISH INI) IN SOUTH ISLAND. WELLINGTON. April 24.’ "1 was really very foolish to imagine that I could in one visit exhaust the possibilities of New Zealand’s saltwater sport, and also test the freshwater fishing," declared (he American author. Mr Zone (trey, who is now at the end ol Lis first New Zealand triii. hut is already planning the next, when he will utilise his own yacht, the Fisherman, for further adventures.

Mr Grey's remark followed his enthusiastic description of the trout fishing on the Tongariro. This side cf New Zealand’s sport he proposes to notice more fully on his next trip, when ho will try out some of the South Island trout rivers. ‘‘Next time," he explained, ‘‘l will work in conjunction with the Government, and bring with me an artist, a scientist, and a mail to preserve skins. I will fish the coast from the North Cape to the Barrier for at least three or lour months. We are also going down to Stewart Island. because I particularly want to see those birds, and the wonderful foliage. We will spend more time on the trout, streams of the South island and we must give another month to the Tongariro and the other streams in that district, for I never had any greater sporting thrills than when I hooked those big rainbows on the six ounce rod - they would take a hundred yards of

line in one run." FISHING METHODS

Mr Grey’s outspoken references to some cf our fishing methods have drawn criticism, as he might have expected, hut lie is not resentful, lie has produced the results lie predicted, though he still regards our deep see lishing as not fully developed. As for the lishing til Taupe, lie docs not think New Zealanders get the best out of that great sport when they use the heavy fifteen ounce rod, and trail or drift the line. “That is not fly fishing," lie declared. “My thrilling time was gut: with the light rod and the fly in the swift stream, and the fish rose to the fly. giving wonderful sport —and that is real fly-fishing, the most wonderful sport in the world.”

“I know,’’ he added, “that some people did not like my references to the l,hroe-hook system of fishing for the swordfish, but I was outspoken for the sake of the grand sport, and T suppose siimelHidy had to lie the goat! I don’t regret ii, because this kind of lishing is in its infancy in New Zealand, anil it has the most wonderful possibilities." It was suggested by Mr Grey that in the light of New Zealand's success in establishing lh,t> Atlantic and quinnat salmon in South Island rivers, that it would lie also a good thing to introduce from. Maine the Sebago salmon. which, ;'ie says, will do wonder, fully well in the cold lakes of the South island, ami would propagate well under t,licsi» conditions. I.ITF.It Alt V WOU K.

The author’s literary work has progressed thoroughly, and he will he ready'to put ill hand a well illustrated hook on New Zealand sporting adventures immediately on his return to the States. As for ill is films, he declares that they are the best lishing series he has ever seen, and will arouse intense interest wherever they are shown throughout the world, "No. I am mil writing a hook about New Zealand life, or your natives.’’ he remarked in answer to a question. 1 “Some Non Zealand writer ought to delve into the history of these people, and give the truth to the world, hut who ever it is. he would have to live among them for some years. It would certainly lie presumption on my part in tackle it. I think the -Maoris (he most wonderful men I have had any association with as a native race. The English have treated them well, and ilcy are happy and healthy. The Americans have not- treated the Indians in the same way, and the Indians are retiring, dvingout. and unhappy." DEER STALKrNG. Deer-stalking is another spurt in which Mr Grey is interested, and he had heard much about the ravages el deer in New Zealand. His opinion is that while the herds should he kept down where they inflict damage on farm crops, they ought to he conserved iu suitable purls of the country. Someone had approached him to get his help in exporting venison from New Zealand to the Eastern States of American, licit he had replied that hy no means would he encourage such a business, for the idea of selling venison was terrible to any sportsman. Nor did !u> think that the sportsmen of America would tolerate ally attempt 1o make a, trade in such a commodity. Mr Grey returns home by the steamer sailing on Tuesday, and his last word was one of enthusiastic thanks to many people, official and private for helping to give him and his friends a memorable time in Now Zealand.