WITH THE “FIGHTING FINS”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3622, 5 April 1927, Page 2

WITH THE “FIGHTING FINS”

VISIT TO THE FISHERMEN’S ELDORADO. (From Our Own Representative). Much has been written about the charm of the Bay of Islands and the thrills of deep sea fishing which obtains in the locality but pen and paper cannot adequately describe the exquisite beauty of Russel and the surrounding coast, nor picture vividly enough the thrilling sport of deep sea angling.

Prior to 1908 very little was known of the sport of deep sea fishing and it was not until 1909 when Mr. A. D. Campbell landed the first sworfish that any attention was giv en Jto the the possibilities flf the sport by anglers. Since then the spoi’fc lias assumed great proportions, and people have visited the Bay of Islands from all parts of the world to try their skill at big game fishing. Credit for the world-wide publicity given the sport must unquestionably go to Mr. Zane Grey. It was not until last year that Mr. Grey visited New Zealand in search of the lighting fins, as he aptly termed them, and his visit was then made at the invitation of the New Zealand Government. As a result of that visit if can truly be said that lie lias placed New Zealand “on the map” with regard to deep sea fishing by means of his film descriptive of the whole business, entitled “Fighting Fins” and also per medium of his book, “The Fisherman’s Eldorado,” which created quite a furore the world over. As a result of this publicity enquiries were received in New Zealand from England and elsewhere as to places of accommodation, requirements, etc., in connection with the sport. It was as a result of these enquiries that a company-was formed in New Zealand to afford visitors from overseas up-to-date launches, accommodation, etc. The company so formed placed matters on a very satisfactory basis and on the 3rd November last year a commencement was made with the erection,, of suitable buildings on the beautiful island of Urupukapuka, a short distance from historical Russell. By ’Xmas time the buildings were complete and ready for occupation and comprised a particularly fine club-house and a number of up-to-date and exceedingly comfortable bungalows. This company, it might be stated, is purely New Zealand and Mr. Zane Grey is not financially interested in nny way. It was purely out of sentiment for the excellent pioneering work he had done in connection with advertising deep sea fishing in New Zealand that the rendezvous was named after him. The company also provided fast launches for the use of the visitors and these in themselves are most up-to-date vessels. They have been constructed especially for deep sea fishing and equipped with 110 h.p. engines. Two swivel chairs arc provided, one fore and one aft, for the anglers, and each chair is fitted with a holder for the rod. It is not considered advisable for more than two people to be fishing at the one time from one launch owing to the danger of lin&s becoming fouled in the event of a big fish being hooked, and even so, it is the practice of the unsuccessful fisherman to immediately haul in his line when his companion has hooked a fish, and so give him complete freedom to play the monster. • ABOUT THE TACKLE. The rods used for angling are between 6ft. Gin. and 7ft. in length and are of split cane, hickory or tamikaka, the last named being,a rod of New Zealand wood, taken from the native tree of the same name and is particularly suited for (Concluded on Page 4.)