Honoring the Top Captains, Guides and Crew in Angling History
DANIA BEACH, FL – February 2, 2022 – The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) today announced its 2022 Tommy Gifford Award winners in recognition of their significant contributions to recreational angling as captains, guides or crew.
This year’s recipients include Florida Keys stalwart Captain Alex Adler; famed Baja skipper Captain Jesus Ariza; Caribbean offshore pioneer Captain Atlee Evans; Australian big-game legend Billy Fairbairn; and New Zealand blue water innovator Captain John Going.
John Going
A longstanding member of the New Zealand sport fishing community, John Going first became associated with sport fishing when his family bought the Tutukaka Guest House in Tutukaka, Northland, New Zealand in 1953. Not long after, he caught his first marlin aboard his family’s boat the Stephanie, which was the catalyst that led Going to relentlessly pursue marlin in the waters off New Zealand and help bring the marlin fishery to life through his innovative techniques and the incredible results they produced. In 1997 John was recognized for his services to sportfishing, rescues at sea and for service on the Poor Knights Reserve Committee and was awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s honors list. John is also credited with helping to discover and develop the Tonga fishery for marlin, after making several exploratory trips during the off-season in New Zealand. 46 years after entering the industry, John is still chartering and is also running a 48’ Riviera for his brother Wynne. Over the years John has trained many deckhands who have gone on to become top sportfishing skippers and super yacht skippers. This “training” continues with his willingness to share his extensive knowledge and experience of game fishing and anything and everything to do with the sea.
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