SHARK FISHING RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1927, Page 2

SHARK FISHING RECORD

MONSTER PLAYED FOR 11-i HOURS

Among the more recent devotees to big game fishing in the north is Captain Alawson, Into relieving master of the Niagara. who left AA'ellington for San Francisco as captain of the Alakura on Thursday. After relieving for three voyages on the Niagara, Captain Alawson, who wus married recently, elected to go fishing to Russell. Early one afternoon whilst trolling in a launch the line gave a run and soon Captain Alawson knew lie had hooked something big. At first and tor some time it was thought to be ti big mako shark. The fact that it did not rise and leap out of tlie water did not destroy that belief, as the mako sometimes prefers to light below the surface. With a line only as stout as grocer’s string, it was touch and go as to how long the catch could he held, but by the skilful manoeuvring of the launch and a quick wind-up whenever there was a chance the line held hour after hour. Though the fisherman’s arms ached and grew tired he never dreamt of cutting away; and sure that he had “the father ot all makes” lie hung on. The sun went down and the stars shone out lai o\ei the summer sea, hut ever and anon the leviathan ran out the line, feeling more and more Use x bullock at the end of it. Evening drifted into night : midnight came and went and stijl the fight went on; but m the early hours tlit quarry began to tire of plunging about and consented to ho towed ashore—drowned m its own element. It was only at the end ot the hunt that Captain Alrwsuu s dream of a super-muko was shattered. It turned out to be a 2501 b blue shark, which had been foul-hooked under one of its fins. Still, though Captain Mawson was not able to straighten his fingers the next day, he had the satisfaction of putting up a new record' in big fishing—that of playing n 2501 h blue shark for 111 hours on a schnappor line. . Mrs Alawson w.ts very worried at her husband’s prolonged absence so late into the night, and. knowing him to be out in a launch, thought that an accident of some kind had occurred.