A Week’S-End Fishing Off Fiji’S Reefs.

The above photograph was taken aboard the A.K. “Jan.” off the Island of Kadavu, in the Fiji Group. It shows two well-known Suva sportsmen who had been over for a week’s-end fishing in the lagoon hounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef. The crowning effort of the week-end was the big Saqa which weighed—on the scales—65lbs. This is close to the record for a Saqa caught on the rod in Fiji, which it is believed belonged to the late Hon. T. E. Fell, C.M.G., who recorded one of 73lbs. in 1922.

This fish belongs to the Trevalli species, and is met throughout the South Steas, Much heavier specimens have been taken on the hand line, but the true fisherman disdains to use other than medium-weight rod to do battle with this excellent sporting fish. On such a rod it is safe to reckon that for every pound the fish weighs, it will take a minute to land. Fishing for Saqa is, therefore, a somewhat strenuous art.