DEEP-SEA ANGLING.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 14 March 1927, Page 6

DEEP-SEA ANGLING.

SPORT VVITH SWORDFISH. EXPERIENCE OF- AMERICANS. A very high opinion of the northern deep-sea fishing grounds is held by Mr Frederick K. Burnham and Mr Cox Webb of Galifornia, after spending six weeks angling in the waters between Cape Brett and Whangaroa. Swordfish are to be, found in great numbers, but owing to the adverse weather conditions which have prevailed for the past two weeks very few have heen captured. It is anticipated that, with settled weather, the eatches will eclipse last year's records. "We came out here ■ with the greatest expectations fostered by „Mr Zane Grey's hook," explained Mr Webb, "and we expected favourahle summer weather right through our stay, but out of the 45 days we spent between Whangaroa and Cape Brett, we were only able to fish for 23 days. However, we believe the weather has been exceptionally unseasonahle this year. ' "We had good luck, and I caught four striped marlin and four mako sharks. We could have caught many more sharks, but as soon as we sighted their fins we invariably hauled our b^it in. We did not fmd the mako a very sporting fish, the ypung ones or smaller ones giving much finer jumping displays. The larger ones just 'sound' and make their capture a very strenous task." "But your swordfish," continued Mr Webb, "in numbers, in size, and it seems, in fighting qualities, exceed our game fish. All my fish gave me thrilling fightsl It is unfortunate that we experienced such unfavourable weather. It is a remarkable sight to see the daily average of fifteen launches out every day off Cape Brett, and we haye seen as many as four and five swordfish being fought at the same time within a distance of a mile or so. Nowhere in the world outside Russell could that be seen, 1 Considering the number of launches which are out every day. this year has not been such a successful one as last year. There are easily douhle the' number of rods in action, but the fish arq late in coming close to shore. The school fish did. not appear in tlieir vast numbers until just about a week ago and now they are to be seen by the acre. There should he wonderful sport from now until the endof the season." "We are- coming foack again nexf year," concluded Mr Webb. "The accoinmodation and the launches to be hired are far superior to the facilities available at Catalina Island, and with the experience gained this year things should be in tip-top order for the hundreds of overseas visitors who will eome to New Zealand for the game fishing. We are leaving on Thursday morning to go int'o camp at the Tongariro river at Taupo, where we hope to get in about three weeks trout fishing before we return to, America."