IGFA - Billfish Royal Slam Club  Club member Terry Smith released an estimated 130lb Striped Marlin in the Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico in October 2004.  In doing so Terry achieved the distinction of catching specimens from all nine billfish species recognised by the IGFA and, as such, was awarded membership of their Billfish Royal Grand Slam Club. 

Terry joins John Gill as only the Club’s second member to achieve this distinction.  However I know both Jack Reece and Gordon Richards are currently only one species away.

Before someone attempts to correct me there are of course 10 billfish species for which the IGFA maintains line class records.  But for the purpose of this Club there is no distinction between Atlantic and Shortbill Spearfish, they are grouped simply as ‘Spearfish’.  Terry I know though is keen to catch a Shortbill.  And, to that end, travelled to Hawaii in February.  No luck this time, but I’m sure he’ll be back!

Terry’s recorded any number of billfish over the years but, to summarise, he caught the first of each species as follows, starting with his Atlantic Blue Marlin in the Azores in July 1987.   Next came a Pacific Blue from Mauritius in January 1988 and, in September of that year, his Atlantic Spearfish again from the Azores.  Then the Sailfish – the Pacific species from Mexico in February 1989 and the Atlantic from Venezuela in May 1990 from Venezuela.  His Black Marlin came from Kenya in 1991 and the White Marlin from the Bahamas in May 1996.  The Broadbill Swordfish came from Venezuela in September 1997 and, as previously mentioned, the Striped Marlin from Mexico in October 2004.  A great achievement!  Well done Terry!

Indonesia  Whilst Indonesia is not necessarily a venue many of our members would contemplate visiting I wanted to include images of some 'healthy-sized' Oilfish (Escolar) that acquaintances of David Irving caught.  They were taken bottom fishing at night in about 650' of water and are effectively a variant of those our members have caught from Ascension Island, in the South Atlantic.

The one thing to be extremely careful of with Oilfish are the modified hook structures on their scales.  Beware they are extremely sharp and capable of ripping hands to shreds!  Click on thumbnails to see full sized images.

Mauritius  Marlin-wise Robert Rein's trip to Mauritius was somewhat disappointing.  Fishing with his friend Stephan Kreupl they first of all lost 5 days of their charter to a cyclone!  But, following that, the Marlin and Yellowfin were noticable only by their absence!  They just got the one Blue Marlin from three strikes and similarly one Sail from three.  However they did have excellent sport on fly rods with both Dorado and BIG Skipjacks.  Whilst they didn't weigh the Skipjacks some were easily in the 30lb plus class.

Robert found that 2 1/2 to 3 inch streamers were successful for the Skipjacks with flying fish imitations for the Dorado - the latter being tied on a single 7/0 hook, dressed in white, green, pink and blue.

Photographs of their trip follow.  Just click on the thumbnails to view full sized images.

Guatemala  I guess there few places in the world that offer such prolific opportunities to catch Sailfish, with Dorado and Marlin mixed in as Iztapa on Guatemala's Pacific coast.  And few more justifiably famous skippers that Ron Hamilin on the Capt Hook.  To give you an indication of its potential in the first 3 months of this year they've released over 1000 billfish, of which 180 have been taken on the fly.  As I said prolific fishing!

Southfishing of Florida who represent Ron have just contacted us advising that there are still slots open in the prime month of May.  A 3 fishing days / 4 night inclusive package from Guatemala City works out to 2700$US per person based on 3 anglers fishing.  Extra days work out at 745$US per person.  Obviously other options in terms of angler numbers are possible.  And, in terms of trip costs, you'd need to factor in flight costs normally from Europe, via Miami.  Even so with the current weakness of the US Dollar an opportunity worth considering.

Should you be interested you can access Southfishing's web site for further details by clicking here.

Thailand  Jean-Francois Helias operating with his team of guides as Fishing Adventures Thailand has notched up some impressive specimens over the years for his clients including any number of world records.  But what do they do when they're not guiding?  Fish!  What a surprize!

One of Francois' guides - Noi - recently caught this rare Cowtail Stingray (Hypolophus sephen), estimated about 15 kilos, while fishing with light tackle for small fish species, at the Bang Pakong River.

This is the second specimen they have caught from this venue.  Francois himself caught a near 40lb (18.00 kg) specimen there, also on light tackle, last year.  It's currently Ithe GFA All Tackle world record. 

Francois noted that there was recently a documentary on Thai TV regarding the Thai ray species.  And the Thai Fisheries Dept. officer who was interviewed claimed that this particular species was now extint on this river.  Patently no one's told the fish!

Here are pictures of the fish.  Should you wish to access Francois web site to view just some of the other exotic species that are on offer just click here.

New Zealand   A group of David Irving's friends targetted Southern Yellowtail (Kingfish) out by the Three Kings to the north of the North Island, out from Bay of Islands, using specialised deepwater jigging tackle.  Their largest Kingfish - really strong fighters - bested 55lbs (25kgs) and they had masses of fish in the20 to 45lb range.  The highlight of the trip however were the deepwater Wreckfish - the best two went 145 and 90lbs.  See the images under.

They look remarkably similar to the WreckfishI saw caught out from Gibraltar nearly 40 years ago.  Patently a related species.

Cuba  Club member - Dave Dillistone - is just back from Cuba from what was his first Bonefishing trip.  This is his report.

We went through a company called CubaWelcome (click on hyperlink to view site)based in London.  A gentleman called Mike Mirecki is the point of contact.  I initially though found his site through a Dutch chap, Theo Huizing of  www.tropicalflyfishing.com, whilst surfing the Web.  He was most helpful and supplied us with a DVD, albeit in Dutch!

The trip out was OK, though a little long winded via Madrid,  (You can go direct with "Cubana" and I believe Virgin begin direct flights shortly). The accommodation at the Don Pedro was good, clean and tidy with good food.  And they were very happy to cater for Fishermen’s hours! The only slight downside is that it's one & a half hours from the fishing.  But that's purely down to the road through the Las Salinas reserve, which whilst only 21 kilometres long is pretty fierce!

The fishing is undertaken mainly from skiffs, though you can wade if you want. The skiffs are small and only take an angler and the guide.  They are designed for the very shallow water at Salinas. The fish are right there from the start but, as ever, tides and wind play a major part.

The weather was not too kind as we had a strong wind for the first two days.  But we still caught plenty of Bones averaging 4lbs, casting to small groups or individuals.

The weather on the third day was better, with an onshore breeze.  We fished in amongst mangroves in just a few inches of water to tailing fish. This also produced the better fish, both myself and my companion had the odd one to around 8lbs. 

Every day produced opportunities to try for Barracuda.  We saw loads! and caught a few on Needlefish flies, and the odd baby one on Gotchas and Charlies. 

We saw Permit, Jacks and Snook on several occasions, but no Tarpon.  And I had the greatest fortune to catch a nice #### Bonefish from the midst of a group of five Permit!  That took a bloody big crab fly!!!........... I learnt a few Spanish expletives from my guide. 

I felt the fishing was good, though I have nothing to compare it with in previous trips for Bones. The flats were stunning and varied, endless and very peaceful.

The fishing is apparently limited to just six people and as there are no motors on the skiffs its probably just as well.  That said it was rare to bump into anyone.

We met a Frenchman and a Belgian, whilst tackling up one morning.  They were staying at Playa Larga, which is slightly closer to Salinas, but were not impressed with the accommodation apparently. The Belgian had had a day on the river which runs down through the Zapata peninsular and is part of the reserve. He managed, apparently, 33 Tarpon to the boat the largest at 25lbs+.

We had  the option to go but stayed on the flats. As I understand it the river can produce a lot of Tarpon but it really depends on the time of year, and the water levels.

We also met a group of Italians at Don Pedro.  They fished for two days and then headed up North to try another venue which Mike now promotes that has some bigger Tarpon and a variety of other fish.

We saw a lot of birdlife too which for me adds to the fun.  We saw Flamingos, Spoonbills and Ibis all the time - and a lot more I did not know!  And this was early in the season apparently. The whole Cuba experience was good.  But it is in a time warp and you have to expect the unexpected at times.   We had a brief look at Havana on the first morning before driving ourselves to Don Pedro. Normally I think you get taken by taxi direct from the airport, but we wanted a peek at Havana. I saw enough to want to go back for another look.

I'd be happy to pass on any information, if anyone else is interested in going.  You can contact me through the Club’s web site at David.Dillistone@scbi.org.uk.    I also plan on going again next year if that’s of interest to anyone.   It is cheaper in a group, up to a maximum of 6.