Norway: Atlantic salmon report on Gaula river July 2011

The Gaula and our beats are enjoying another good season at the moment. Even if some of the weeks have been suffering by too much rain and water levels way above of what is perfect for our beats, the total results are quite good. The Gaula has produced so far this season, in less than 2 months time, a total of 3.653 salmon, which breaks down into 1.453 large salmon over 7 kg/ 15 ½ lb, 1.923 salmon between 3 kg/ 6 ½ lb and 7 kg/ 15 ½ lb and 277 grilse. Only the last week produced 2,5 t.

There have been many large fish caught, even quite recently. The average weight of the 10 largest fish caught is at 18,7kg / 41,2 lb at the moment. We are proud to say that the largest salmon on the Gaula caught this year, weighing 21,1 kg / 46 ½ lb with a length of 1,29 m, was caught on one of our NFC beats by Arve Nilsen.  Meanwhile another monster salmon, measuring 1,21 m and weighing 17,3 kg / 38,1 lb was caught on our water by Andre Scholz.

Last week a 20 kg/ 44lb salmon was caught on the Gaula and the week before there were caught at least 3 fish over 17 kg/ 38 lb. The average weight is with 6,4 kg/ 14 lb still very high and indeed the medium sized salmon – this unbelievable strong fighters - are at the moment far easier to catch than f. ex. grilse.

Norwegian Flyfishers Club AS
Email:info@nfc-online.com
Web: www.nfc-online.com

USA: House and Senate Bills Are Huge Step to Conserve Billfish

Dania Beach, FL— Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) teamed up today with 11 additional Members of Congress to introduce bi-partisan legislation in the Senate and House—The Billfish Conservation Act of 2011—that will help restore billfish populations that are badly depleted by commercial overfishing. By protecting these magnificent fish from overfishing, this legislation will lead to the long-overdue recovery of billfish.

“Several billfish species are in serious decline, according to a recent global assessment by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN),” said Rob Kramer, President of the International Game Fish Association. “This is a wonderful step by Congress to recover billfish and create new jobs in the sportfishing and marine economy.”

According to Ken Hinman, President of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, “The Billfish Conservation Act of 2011 makes it clear that the future of billfish is not for sale.” Hinman added, “Hats off to Congressman Jeff Miller, Senator David Vitter, and the bi-partisan co-sponsors of the legislation for making sure there will always be plenty of billfish in the sea, for this and future generations of anglers.”

The legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME), Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL), and Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK).

In the Senate, the legislation was introduced by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Senator John McCain (R-AZ), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). It would prohibit the sale of all billfish (marlin, sailfish and spearfish) in the United States, while still allowing for traditional fisheries within the State of Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Area. Swordfish are not included in the prohibition.

Marlin, sailfish and spearfish, collectively called billfish, are some of the world’s most majestic marine fish. They are apex predators that play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. Billfish are also highly esteemed by recreational anglers the world over, and catch-and-release fisheries for these species support many marine jobs and generate billions of dollars to the U.S. economy.

Unfortunately, the world’s billfish stocks are seriously imperiled from non-U.S. commercial fishing. Earlier this month, the IUCN announced that, as a result of these population declines, blue and white marlin are now threatened and striped marlin is nearly threatened with extinction.

Billfish are primarily caught as by-catch in non-U.S. commercial tuna and swordfish fisheries, but the by-catch is harvested and sold internationally, with the United States serving as the world’s largest importer of billfish. For nearly two decades, the U.S. has had a ban on the sale of Atlantic-caught billfish, yet no such ban exists for Pacific-caught billfish. This Pacific Ocean loophole also creates a black market for Atlantic-caught billfish because there is no way to effectively enforce the distinction. Other countries continue to sell billfish in the U.S. through this loophole. The Billfish Conservation Act of 2011 closes that loophole.

The commercial sale of billfish in the U.S. contributes very little to our commercial fishing industry. Billfish account for just 0.07% of the total annual revenue from all commercial fishing in the U.S. There are many sustainable alternatives for restaurants and retailers to offer in place of billfish; thus most restaurants have taken marlin and other billfish off the menu.

About the International Game Fish Association:

IGFA is a 72 year-old nonprofit conservation and record keeping organization with representatives and members in about 120 countries and territories. The association's headquarters are in the 60,000 sq ft IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida. Learn more at www.igfa.org.

About the National Coalition for Marine Conservation:

The National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), founded by conservation-minded anglers in 1973, is dedicated to keeping the ocean wild to preserve fishing opportunities for the future. The NCMC is based in Leesburg, Virginia. Learn more at www.savethefish.org .

Ireland: salmon of 19lbs 7oz

David McEvoy at Delphi Lodge has some great fishing to report, including two of the heaviest salmon for many years. Mark Corps, angling advisor with IFI, landed a magnificent 18lbs 10oz salmon last week, the heaviest salmon landed at Delphi since 1986. However, this mark didn’t last for long, as this week Urs Leibundgut landed another massive fish, this time a salmon of 19lbs 7oz! The killer fly was indeed rather unusual. The salmon was taken on a tungsten beaded nymph tied on a size 10 single with hair from his neighbour’s cat in Zurich. The fly is aptly called the “Neighbours Cat”. We have been told by Urs that there is a patent on the fly and the cat!
This fish now replaces Nigel Saxby-Soffe’s fish of 19lbs 1oz on 26th August 1986 as the biggest Delphi salmon of the modern era, the biggest before that was a 21lbs fish.
www.delphilodge.ie

Ireland: 300 lb Porbeagle shark

Last week Hamish Currie of Preadator II from Red Bay, Co. Antrim decided to try a new area for porbeagle shark just 22km north of Red Bay. It’s a piece of ground he had been looking at for some time in 170ft of water dropping off to 360ft. His anglers had a few shark but the talking point of the day was the one that got away. It fought for over 2 hours. We didn’t even get to see it as it dived very deep and I think the mono came into contact with rock. 

However,  Brian Menary from Bangor, Co. Down finally caught a very big Porbeagle Shark at well over 2 metres and this fish was estimated at around 300 lb.  More info at: info@predatorireland.com

Australia: Broome sailfish report

Broome FC has been busy tagging "Rich Fish" sails in the leadup to their tournament that starts later this week. In a great sign of things to come, last year's champions Billistic raised 30 sails in a pre-tournament fish last week as well as a few marlin. Lets hope we see a return to form similar to the 2009 comp when over 1100 sails were raised and 335 tagged!

Over on the East Coast, reports have been few in the leadup to the tournament season however Townsville GFC boat Zuri tagged 1 from 2 sails on their first trip of the season last week, while one of the local tackle store crew had an encounter with a sail fish in close off the Bohle on a 7 inch Gulp!

Kelly Dalling Fallon - Black Marlin Fishing Blog info@blackmarlinfishingblog.com

IGFA Hot Catches July 2011

In both freshwater and salt, the latest submissions to the IGFA World Records desk have been hot! IGFA has received a number of conservation-minded All-Tackle Length record applications alongside applications for the traditional record categories, and this month’s nine tops picks come from Colombia, New Zealand, Panama, Malayasia, Thailand, Belize, and the US states of Virginia, New Jersey, and the Florida Keys.

 Last summer, Greg Bernal made history and shocked the angling world with his 58.9 kg (130 lb 0 oz) All-Tackle blue catfish that he pulled from the Missouri River. Not more than a year later, on June 18, 2011, Richard Nicholas Anderson of Greenville, North Carolina, USA, pulled a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from Kerr Lake, Virginia, USA that tops Bernal’s fish by 13 lb and qualifies for both the new potential All-Tackle and men’s 15 kg (30 lb) line class records. Anderson was fishing with his father and close friend when the mammoth blue cat ate the chicken livers that he was soaking for bait. The fish was subdued 45 minutes later and Anderson was exhausted. Nevertheless, the excited anglers rushed back to the docks to get an official weight on this new potential record fish.

Angler Maureen Klause of Ocean City, New Jersey, USA, took advantage of her native state’s early summer striper run by landing the new potential women’s 02 kg (4 lb) line class record on May 31, 2011. Klause was fishing with guide Richard D. Wheeler in the Shark River Inlet, New Jersey, USA when the thick 13.86 kg (30 lb 9 oz) striped bass (Morone saxatilis) inhaled the live menhaden (bunker) she was using for bait. After a tense 24 minute fight, Klause landed the fish and was on her way back to the docks. The current IGFA record is 13.77 kg (30 lb 6oz).

American angler Rafael F. Llamozas, of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA traveled to Colombia in early April to target some of the country’s infamous peacock bass. Fishing

(Cichla temensis) while casting a yellow and red peacock jig. After a quick five minute fight, the monster peacock measured 88 cm and qualifies for a new potential All-Tackle Length record. Rafael released his catch safely after measuring and photographing the potential record fish.

Standing next to her potential female junior record catch, angler Eilish Hargen of Christchurch, New Zealand is dwarfed by the 81.5 kg (179 lb 10 oz) swordfish (Xiphias gladius) that she landed on May 23, 2011 while fishing off Cape Karikari, New Zealand. Hargen’s captain, Jason Wootton, was trolling a Yo-Zuri squid when the fish hit, and the young angler landed her prize in just 20 minutes. The current IGFA record is 70.67 kg (155 lb 13 oz).

For years, angler John E. Richardson of Bellville, Texas, USA, has been going down to Piñas Bay, Panama to experience it’s world-class fishery; but according to Richardson, this year the fishing was even better than usual, especially for tuna. The abundance of yellowfin tuna schools feeding on the surface made it possible for Richardson to land a 29.14 kg (64 lb 4 oz) yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) on June 9, 2011, to qualify for the men’s 02 kg (4 lb) line class record. This amazing feat was accomplished in just one minute using a live blue runner, and required several attempts and great patience by the crew and Captain Wade Richardson. The current IGFA record is 25 kg (55 lb 1 oz).

IGFA Representative Christopher S.G. Tan, of Kajang, Malaysia was fishing in Belum, Malaysia with guide Mohd Hafzi on March 6, 2011 when he landed this beautiful snakehead (Channa spp.) that measured 71 cm. This potential All-Tackle Length record was caught in just one minute after hitting the Sebile Stick Shad lure that Tan was casting. As with every potential All-Tackle Length record, Tan’s fish was released alive after being measured and photographed. The current IGFA record is 69 cm.

GFA Lifetime Achiever Martini Arostegui of Coral Gables, Florida, USA took a break from his college studies to do some grouper fishing with his father and Captain Ralph Delph down in Key West, Florida, USA. The group of experienced anglers went out on June 14, 2011 and landed an 8.16 kg (18 lb 0 oz) black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci). Arostegui used a live pinfish to entice the grouper to eat, and after a tough 15 minutes, the fish was boated and on ice. If approved, Arostegui’s catch would tie the existing men’s 24 kg (50 lb) line class record.

Angler Michael Yiran Ma of Darien, Connecticut, USA recently traveled to Theerasart, Thailand to target some of the unique species of freshwater fish available in that region of the world. Fishing with guide Jean-Francois Helias, Ma landed this gorgeous redtail catfish (pirarara) (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) on June 2, 2011 while fishing with live bait fish. Twenty-five minutes after taking the bait, and before swimming away, this unique looking fish was measured to be 107 cm and qualifies Ma for a potential All-Tackle Length record. The current IGFA record is vacant.

www.IGFA.org

IGFA news: E.M. Kolassa – Colossus of the Inshore Grand Slam

Since its inception in October 1995, IGFA’s Inshore Grand Slam Club has by far been the most popular of all IGFA Special Clubs. The World Records department has received more than 350 applications from anglers around the world who have caught three of the four prized inshore species (snook bonefish, permit and tarpon) in one day. While many anglers have accomplished this feat, none have done it more frequently than Mr. E.M. “Mick” Kolassa who has racked up 19 Inshore Grand Slams since 2007 – recently adding three more after a trip to Central America. Clearly a believer in the old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, Kolassa has achieved each of his 19 Inshore Grand Slams while fishing the Belize River Lodge in western Belize. Congratulations, Mick, on four great years of angling and your three most recent Inshore Grand Slams!

www.igfa.org

THE Billfish Foundation: Canary Islands added to The Billfish Foundation’s TBF Experience prize trips

25th Anniversary membership drive adding billfish adventures worldwide 

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – Located off Europe’s southern coast the pelagic fisherman’s paradise of the Canary Islands has been added as one of the prize trips – among them Panama, Guatemala and the U.S. -- for The Billfish Foundation’s TBF Experience’s membership drive.    “And who better than England native Captain Jason Pipe and his Bocinegro Blue Marlin Fishing Charters with 25 years of action in the Canaries, to take you fishing for two days off the island of La Gomera,” said TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark.

 “The island is a highly productive big blue marlin and big tuna fishery, blessed by calm seas and short runs. It’s in an unbelievably action-packed area and a trip of a lifetime. We’re saying thank you to our membership base worldwide,” said Stark, ”there’s never been a better time for anglers in Europe to join TBF and experience billfishing at its best.

Stark, who is coordinating TBF’s 25th anniversary events, said the science-based foundation’s global effort is aptly named The TBF Experience, in the spirit of highlighting conservation through sportfishing in some of the best billfishing destinations in the world. For the traveling European angler, these trips provide a great chance for an ultimate fishing getaway.

The La Gomera trip is available to Europe’s residents who join or renew their TBF membership (starting at $40) by January 15, 2012 when the winner will be drawn during the meeting of the Sportfishing Club of the British Isles. During 2012 the winner with a guest, will join Capt. Pipe on his customized Bertram. For more on the European TBF Experience visit: http://billfish.org/sections/255-tbf-experience-canary-islands.

“Besides our three previously announced trips in the U.S., Guatemala and Panama which can be won by TBF members across the globe we’re adding more exciting sportfishing trips off continents around the world like Australia, Brazil in South America, Kenya in Africa and Hawaii.”

“For more details of these exciting trip giveaways and the membership premium program visit the TBF website at http://billfish.org/sections/234-tbf-experience,” said Stark.   

Win Trips in U.S., Guatemala and Panama

“We have three prize trips open to TBF members worldwide who join at certain levels. These trips, all with expert captains, are in three of the world’s greatest billfishing destinations.” 

“At the $75 membership level there’s a one day Atlantic Sailfish trip with Capt. Bouncer Smith in Miami, Fla. USA. Those joining at the $250 level will be entered to win a two day, three night fishing package for Pacific Sailfish and blue marlin with Capt. Brad Philipps in Guatemala. 

“And the winner of the $500 or higher member level (one chance per $500, two chances for $1,000, etc.) can be joined by three guests for a three day sportfishing trip off Panama’s Pearl Islands for black and blue marlin, Pacific sails, big dorado and yellowfin. That trip includes four nights and three days accommodations at the beautiful Hacienda del Mar on San Jose Island.” 

“We’re pretty excited how this drive is turning out,” said Stark. “Simply joining or renewing your TBF membership between now and Oct. 26, at the levels listed, gets you in the running.” 

Winners of the global trips will be drawn in October at TBF’s 25th Anniversary Dinner during the Fort Lauderdale Intl. Boat Show and trips will be scheduled for 2012. For more details on the trips, visit the TBF website at billfish.org  or contact Elliott Stark at 954-938-0150 ext. 101.

Russia Kila Peninsula: Varzian River Company report

The beginning of the week was gloomed by rather cold weather. Water got cool up to +11C, wind still blows from the north. However, this doesn’t prevent landing of several real trophies during these days. At the end of  last week Alexander Ostapenko landed  fresh salmon of 112cm in length and at the least estimate about 15kg in weight at Hourglass pool. Yesterday, at the same pool Erik Cullin caught salmon of 102cm. And today beautiful male salmon (110cm, 14,2kg) has been caught at Varzina waterfall. Mr. Rod Murray presented the fourth fish over 30lb during this season in to the landing net. All in all, number of fish in the river is rather small, but trophy fish percent is rather high relating to the general number of landed fish. Grilse still appear rather rare, although it was seen with sea louses already at Waterfall. By the way, fish have already passed it and could be met at upper pools. Hope that Varzina will keep pleasing us with heavy trophies!

http://www.varzina.com

Alaska: Tim Berg's Alaskan Fishing Adventures report

Ashleigh Vail with an incredible Kenai King Salmon.  This mighty fished weighed #71 pounds!!

There is nowhere else in the world that produces King Salmon of this size.

July is an incredible month to be here and get a trophy Kenai River King Salmon. 

This massive ling cod pushed the scales to #69 pounds.  Jimmy Weber from Boneyard Baits struggles to hold this beast up for pictures!!  This huge fish was caught onboard the vessel

Grande Alaska fishing the marine rich waters near the Barren Islands out of Homer, Alaska this week. Ling cod season opened on July 1st.  Great weather and calm seas have made for ideal fishing conditions all week.

http://alaskanfishing.com/