Current Lines 23rd September 2012

Just a local hero’s tale:From Waihau Bay - their Skippers Trophy was awarded to Clyde Fraser – going to help three skippers boat their marlin in one day and only falling in once!  This is the first of the stories contributed by the skippers that Clyde went to help.  The second story will be in the next newsletter. By Zonko Dancevic – True Romance.  As the reel went off the crew of "True Romance" couldn't help but look at each other and wonder if this was going to be another one of those fumbling, unintentional, rubbed line against the boat releases or one that was going to adore the young mind of a 13 year old for the rest of his life. The days were long and the quest to boat the first blue marlin but a dream still. There was no doubt of where the crews heart and perseverance stood but none of us had ever boated this strong, brilliant colored, majestic beast that moved with lighting speed. The call for help went out on the radio and a deep yet gentle voice answered. “We’ll be there soon” A rush of thoughts went through my mind but the one taking the stage was when earlier in the week 7-10 blues smashed the lines of a half dozen boats within a half hour and only one managed to tag his, "BRAVE HART". True to his nature and the beautiful country he resides in, this was the man answering my call..........Clyde. As the boat neared the back of True Romance....I could see the steering wheel being deflected sharply left then right with lighting speed... and Clyde with a stick reaching out. As the waves were angrily defying our request to make this an uneventful boarding, a chocolate, sunburnt leg stretched across the two boats to attempt what was now looking like an un-makeable feat. Everything went into slow motion and I looked up at Clyde.....the white beard, tattered shirt, aged skin and a wooden Staff in his hand reminded me of Christmas past........Moses...YES! MOSES!! This was going to turn out good; he'll just part the seas and walk across! I've seen it many times as a child. It wasn't meant to be.........the ocean swallowed up Clyde like a mud guppy in a monsoon........ Soon up he came from the dark salt water depths...spitting, flaying and drenched like the day he was born (no screaming though). He finally swam to the boat with not a beat lost. As the Blue Marlin came close to the starboard side the fish went into panic mode, turned and abruptly darted off. I still remember Clyde saying "obviously he doesn't like this side, let’s try the port side" It all makes sense now.....his technic isn't to muscle this majestic beast but to lead him to you like a home sick puppy dog.....Just like Brave Hart did with the English occupiers. The fish came within reach of the gaff and the Big Blue was boated.

I truly want to extend my sincere admiration and gratitude for the helping hand you extended to my son "Cody" and I. Clyde....you could have chosen to ignore the call for help and no-one would have known otherwise..... but instead, you stretched out your hand to someone you felt was in need. We will always be grateful for that.

I truly wish I could have been there for this presentation but soon the time will come when we will meet again. I would like to leave you with this saying I've tried to live by; LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY HOW MANY BREATHES YOU TAKE BUT BY HOW MANY TIMES YOUR BREATH HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY. CONGRATULATIONS.........SKIPPER!!!!

NZSFC MEMBERS BENEFIT UPDATE; -Just a quick note from one of our members benefit partners – PL fuels –“It was great to meet Edward Beetham and talk to Roz recently and thank you to those members whom I have emailed, for their prompt replies updating their contact details.  Please let me know if any of your contact details change.  To those members I have had the pleasure of speaking to in the past month, thanks for your patience with the “new girl” on the other end of the phone.   The Crew at Petroleum Logistics look forward to a long association with NZ Sport Fishing and their members.  Please feel free to contact me at admin@plpl.co.nzor give me a call on 04 2336180 if we can help with any of your marine requirements. For the month of October refer a member or friend and if they tell us you referred them, once they sign up we’ll send you a box of chocolates and a $20 fuel voucher and we’ll put them into a draw to win a “Flights Jacket” polishing kit Cheers & Happy Fishing - Claire Williams, Business Support Administrator, Petroleum Logistics Ltd.

NZSFC Records update - September 2012 - Well done to all these high performance anglers

SALTWATER FLY - Kahawai

Regards,

NZSFC