IGFA update

IGFA mourns the loss of Representatives DuVal and Goadby

            In October the IGFA lost two greats of the fishing world, Mrs. William B. (Gene) DuVal and Peter Goadby.  Both were long time members of the International Committee of IGFA Representatives and each shared the same passion for fishing helping to devote their time and influence to strengthen and instill the value of conservation at the IGFA.  

            Gene DuVal, who had been an IGFA Representative for Richmond, Virginia since 2000 and a legendary angler, passed away on October 14, after a heroic, but brief illness. Gene and her husband Bill DuVal, both known for their conservation efforts, founded the Conservation Council of Angling Clubs of Virginia and funded it through its infancy in the early 1970s.  The couple spent their lives fishing the world. 

            Named after her father, Gene was a keen light tackle angler and held 139 IGFA world records, the most for any female angler.  She was also the first woman ever to receive the IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.  Gene joined the IGFA in 1973 and became a Representative in 2000.  She and Bill were very generous to the IGFA Junior Angler Program and the Junior Angler World Championships.

            Gene was membership chairman of the International Women's Fishing Association (IWFA) and was an active member since 1973. She also received the IWFA Hall of Fame Award.  Gene is survived by her husband Bill: her partner, her traveling and fishing playmate, and her life. Her children and grandchildren were her joy and she lived to spend time with them.  In remembrance of her please send donations to the IWFA Scholarship Fund in the name of Gene DuVal, P.O. Box 21066, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33335-1066.

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            Peter Goadby, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia who was internationally known and respected for his dedication to conservation and fishing ethics, passed away on October 30, after a long battle with cancer.

            A deep-sea angler from the age of 16, Goadby was one of the world’s leading big-game anglers, and was the first person to catch both a shark and a marlin weighing more than 1,000 pounds.  He successfully competed in numerous tournaments, including the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament and the International Tuna Cup Match in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia.

            No one was more knowledgeable about Pacific Ocean sport fishing than Peter Goadby.  He wrote extensively for magazines and was the author of such popular titles as Big Fish and Blue Water, Saltwater Gamefishing, and Saltwater Game Fishes of the World.  From his earliest works, Goadby shared his passion for the history, the fish, the tackle, the tournaments and the tactics, and he never failed to enlighten, entertain and encourage saltwater anglers around the world.

            Long before his appointment as an IGFA Representative in 1977, Peter Goadby represented IGFA ideals, and he continued to serve as a vital link between the organization and the fishermen of the world until his death.  An expert on rules and their administration in records, day-to-day fishing and tournaments, he was admired and respected for his knowledge, leadership, and integrity.  For 28 years Goadby served as chief judge of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT).  And more than 30 years ago he was the initiator and driving force, together with friend John O’Brien, behind tag-and-release fishing in Australia.

            In 1990 the IGFA recognized his contribution with a Conservation Award.  He was inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in 2004. A tireless promoter of recreational angling, Goadby gave the greater part of his life to the sport in all its aspects – fishing, writing, conservation, judging and ethics – and will be sorely missed by the international fishing community.

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24th IGFA Auction & Banquet slated for exciting evening

             Each week the “buzz” continues to build at the IGFA headquarters as more donations arrive from around the globe for the 24th Annual IGFA Auction & Banquet on January 25, 2008 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.  

            The eagerness is also building for the kickoff in December of the on-line silent auction.

            Both are integral parts of the IGFA’s most anticipated fundraiser with hundreds of live and silent auction items up for bid. Included in the evening which begins at 6 p.m., is a silent auction, cocktail party, exquisite dinner and the highly anticipated “live” auction conducted by Ed Phillips of Houston, Texas. 

            The night will also feature the presentation of the IGFA Conservation Awards.

            Highlighting this year’s live auction will be a 2008 Mako 284 Express powered with twin 250 Mercury Verado super charged four-stroke engines.  

            The Mako 284 Express is a perfect boat for a fishing trip that turns into an overnighter, or even a full weekend excursion with a large, comfortable cabin that easily sleeps four adults, spacious decks for casting and all the offshore fishing features you could imagine.  They include a large transom fishbox, 50-gallon lighted baitwell, under-gunwale rod storage, rod holders, four tackle compartments, rigging station w/sink, fresh & raw water outlets, galley w/sink, microwave fiberglass hardtop w/spreader lights, electronics boxes, and AM/FM/CD stereo w/four speakers.       

            The event features renowned marine artist Dave Baroncelli. For over 20 years his fine art has graced the walls of famous sportfishing institutions and the covers of prestigious tournament publications. His offshore experiences, coupled with his understanding of natural marine wildlife habitat, have propelled Dave into becoming one of the most sought after marine artists in the world. His original artwork “Walk the Line” is one of the highlights at the auction and all guests will receive a signed and numbered limited edition of Dave’s featured piece. 

            More and more donations continue to arrive at IGFA headquarters, including:

• an original sculpture by past featured IGFA artist and world renowned sculptor David Wirth who was a hit at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show,
• a week for two at the fantastic Tropic Star Lodge,
• a fishing trip in the Indian Himalayas,
• an original Guy Harvey painting,
• a fishing and quail hunting package at Hacienda Las Palmas in Mexico,
• a fishing trip to Guinea Bissau,
• an original bronze sculpture by Bill McGlaun,
• fishing charters galore, rods and reels, tackle, jewelry, international resorts, and more. 

            In addition and beginning the first week of December, the very popular online portion of the auction will begin on the IGFA website at www.igfa.org.  Check it out as new last-minute donations are added after the “Write-In-Bidder’s list” has been mailed to IGFA members.

            To make reservations, or for more information or if you would like to donate to the 24th Annual International Auction & Banquet, please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at (954) 924-4222 or email [email protected].

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Florida Fishing Weekly and King Release Mounts

Join IGFA Game Fish Conservation Campaign

            The IGFA’s new “Campaign for Game Fish Conservation” has two new reasons to celebrate for its new partnerships with Florida Fishing Weekly and King Release Mounts. Both organizations are offering great benefits to further the IGFA’s conservation and education efforts.

            Florida Fishing Weekly has pledged a portion of new subscriptions to the campaign. For each subscription ordered by IGFA supporters at the regular price of $39.95, Florida Fishing Weekly will donate $20 to the campaign. Supporters must enter promo code “IGFA“ to receive the offer.

            King Release Mounts in Pompano Beach, Fla., will in turn donate 5% of the sales price from every KRM mount sold through IGFA certified captains, certified weigh stations and discount program partners to the IGFA’s Campaign for Game Fish Conservation.

            “With the growing threats to our fisheries and to the sport of fishing as well, the IGFA launched this campaign,” said IGFA Development Director Eric Combast.  He added there are four areas the campaign will focus on -- Education and Outreach, Conservation, the International Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and an Endowment.             

            “Not only do IGFA partners get rewarded by the program,” said Combast, “these gifts from King Release Mounts and Florida Fishing Weekly ensures future funds are specifically designated for conservation and education initiatives.”

            For more information about how you can support the IGFA “Campaign for Game Fish Conservation,” contact Combast, at 954-924-4325 or [email protected].

            We’ll also have more information in the December edition of IGFA Hot News.

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November Hot Catches

The world records department of the International Game Fish Association provides monthly highlights of selected documented fish catches made across the globe submitted for world records. The IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Wright provided the following information on these 15 recent submissions now before the world records committee.

IGFA International Representative Dr. Iain Nicolson who holds numerous line class and fly fishing records for the giant African threadfin (Polydactylus quadrifilis) landed a huge specimen weighing 39.1kg (86 lb 3 oz) on 8 kg (16 lb) class tippet while fishing Barra Do Kwanza, Angola. The catch made on July 21 took Nicolson of Wirral, Merseyside, United Kingdom one hour and10 minutes to land.  He was guided by Hakan Ekberg.  The current record on that men’s tippet class is 15 lb 13 oz caught last year. (Photo: giant African threadfin – 07100003)

A fish many consider a common species but an obscure catch for a record was landed by Gary A. Carter, of Duluth, Ga., USA, when he hooked a Pacific needlefish agujon (Tylosurus pacificus) on August 26, weighing 7.17 kg (15 lb 13 oz). He used a goggleye for bait while fishing Panama’s Pinas Bay, and was guided to the potential IGFA All-Tackle record by Yoan Alcala. The current record for the species is 11 lb 4 oz caught in Golfito, Costa Rica in 2004. (Photo – Pacific needlefish 07100001)

Swedish angler Bjorn Olovsson, of Ensuede, landed an ocean perch (Sebasties marinus) weighing 8.8 kg (19 lb 6 oz) on August 6 using a fish filet for bait.  The potential IGFA All-Tackle class record, was caught while fishing Soroya, Norway. Gamlembankien Norway was the site of the current record ocean perch of 18 lb 15 oz caught in 2004. (Photo: ocean perch – 07100015)

Fishing Everglades National Park out of Flamingo, Florida, USA, 15 year-old Martini Arostegui, Coral Gables, Fla., USA, landed a gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) on October 6 using a live pinfish as bait. The catch weighed .91kg (2 lb 0 oz) on 10 kg (20 lb) class line. Guided by Capt. Eric Hersted he released the fish after documenting for a record that is currently vacant. (Photo: gray snapper – 07100023)

Using 6 kg (12 lb) tippet, while fly-fishing Brazil’s Iriri River, Peter A. Gibson, of Amersham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, landed a trahira (Hoplias spp.) on August 10. The fish took eight minutes to catch and weighed 6.35 kg (14 lb 0 oz). Gibson released the fish after documenting. The current record is 13 lbs.