PINTLALA, Ala. -- Vacationing President Bush mocked Barbara Bush's early efforts, but the first lady netted revenge by reeling in a 6-pound bass to win an informal New Year's Day fishing contest.
White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater, in releasing the results, said Mrs. Bush's catch was about a pound heavier than President Bush's largest catch of the day.
Fitzwater said all told about 50 bass were landed by the president, the first lady and National Security Adivser Brent Scowcroft as they fished from separate boats on the 55-acre Cloverhill Lake on the last day of the president's vacation.
'They (the president and the first lady) had a friendly argument about it, but clearly she won,' Fitzwater said, but added that all proof was gone since they threw the fish back into the lake, about 12 miles outside of Montgomery, Ala.
The competition was held at the private estate of 'Mr. Bass,' fishing magnate Ray Scott, who publishes five sportsmen magazines, hosts a weekly national television show on fishing, 'The Bass Masters,' and sponsors national fishing tournaments.
Scott also served as chairman of Bush's 1980 presidential campaign in Alabama.
Wrapping up a six-day holiday, with all but the final day whiled away in Texas, the first couple were out with fishing rods in hand and the competitive juices flowing by mid-morning Monday before they returned to Washington evening.
'Got one,' said the first lady early in the day after she reeled in a large-mouthed bass that appeared to weigh about a pound.
'That's a cute little one you've got,' the president said in mock endearment.
'You're jealous,' the first lady shot back, asking if he would like to take a picture of it.
'No one wants to take a picture of that little minnow,' said Bush.
The fishing expedition took place after Bush declared 'world peace' as his wish for the New Year, received a call of holiday greeting from French President Francois Mitterrand, made New Year's calls to members of his cabinet, and, in a taped message, extended New Year's greetings to the people of the Soviet Union.
A beaming Mrs. Bush also announced that their son Marvin, and daughter-in-law, Margaret, have adopted a second child, Charles Walker Bush, born in November in Texas.
'He's a Texan, of course,' Mrs. Bush said.
Mrs. Bush began the fishing adventure with an unwanted splash. While casting from the shore, she inadvertently flung her rod into the water.
Scott managed to quickly fish it out, though, as a bevy of photographers and reporters recorded the event.
Just hours earlier, Mrs. Bush, speaking with reporters, said she 'loves fishing,' but doesn't like to watch her sporting mistakes on the evening news.
Bush, who returns to work at the White House Tuesday, begrudgingly fielded questions from reporters.
Asked if there was anything new on diplomatic efforts to pry deposed Panamanian leader Gen. Manuel Noriega from the Vatican Embassy in Panama City, Bush said: 'Nope. Nothing new.'
Extending a tradition begun in the Reagan administration, Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made taped New Year's greetings to each other's citzens.
Bush, in his remarks, called Gorbachev a 'good partner in peace' and said much progress has been made the past year to a freer world, citing the sweeping democratic reform across Eastern Europe.
Gorbachev, in his message broadcast Monday in the United States, said: 'The whole world is progressing. It wants happiness, freedom and prosperity. We are deeply convinced that the epoch of peace is possible.'