FLY—OR NOTHING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 18

FLY—OR NOTHING

FISHERMAN AVOIDS USE OF MINNOWS TRIPLE HOOK DISCUSSED “I think that trout-fishing in New Zealand should be confined to the fly. If I cannot catch fish—either trout or salmon —with the fly I would rather not catch them at all.” ! The speaker was Mr. H. Whitei Wickham, of London, well-known fishI ing enthusiast and breaker of two j records for deep-sea game fish, who

arrived on the Rangitiki. today for the coming season in the Xorth. Mr. White-Wickham did not visit New Zealand last season, but this is his fourth trip in pursuit of his favourite sport. He intends to confine his activities to the big fish only and will work the Ray of Islands’ grounds from his headquarters at Deepwater Cove, remaining until April, 1930. “There is an increase of interest in New Zealand’s sport among fishermen in the Old Country*,” he told The Sun. “The fishing attractions of the Dominion are gradually becoming better known.” In 1922 Mr. White-Wickham secured a world’s record with a Mako shark, and last year he captured a world’s record Broadbill swordfish. Discussing the recent controversy started by Mr. Zane Grey, who condemned the using of what he described as the “murderous triple hook,” Mr. White-Wickham said he preserved an open mind in the subject. He believed that a fisherman after the big game, deep sea fish, was entitled to use the hok that suited him best. He found that the game fish took the single hook well.

“For that matter minnows used for trout fishing have three sets of triple hooks and in proportion are far worse than the hooks used in the North,” he added.