2020/21 SEASON

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2020

Returned to its original timing, the first competition of the 2020/21 season was the Churchill Trophy light line competition that was held in windy conditions on 16th October 2020 that attracted 6 team entries. Tarka, fished by Greg Brackenridge, Jack McIntosh and Callum Looman took out first place with 3 sailfish, followed by Eclare, fished by Philou Salle, Angus Paul and Arran Paul with 2 sailfish while 3rd place went to Snark fished by Bruce Buckland, Peter Ready and Rick Bate with 1 sailfish. All 3 boats also caught a mixed bag of other pelagic fish.

October 17 – 18, the Club hosted the 61st Malindi International Festival that attracted 7 entries, fished by 22 anglers. With travel restrictions in place, teams comprised entirely Kenyan residents and citizens, so the 7 entries augur well for the future of game fishing along the Kenya coast.

Once again, the strong winds made for rough seas and far from favourable conditions for most of the first day.

As such, the fish stayed down and it was too close to call a winner up until the last 2 hours of the second day when the billfish surfaced. During this period, Eclare - fished by Philou Salle, Arran Paul and Furaha - released a black marlin and 3 sailfish to take out the winner’s prize.

In second place was Kipapa, a private boat entry, fished by Marc and Emma Bleich and Florian Bizierre who were leading for most of the competition and who finished with 1 sail and a mixed bag of other fish as did Neptune, fished by Nic Jooste, Angie Habermann and Angus Paul that saw them take out 3rd place.

Uncharacteristically, Tarka dropped 7 sailfish in the last hours that saw them drop to 4th place by a mere 10 points.

Top angler prize went to Arran Paul with 1 black marlin and 1 sailfish whilst the top lady angler was awarded to Emma Bleich who caught 1 sailfish and a mixed bag of other fish.

This season, the perpetual Herbie Paul Memorial Trophy that is awarded by the Paul family to the fisherman considered to have put in the most effort to catch their fish went to Max Hayson, a 13-year-old fishing on Unreel with his father. Max landed 2 yellowfin tuna – one of which weighed in at 20kg. That’s great fishing on 30lb tackle in anyone’s book that also earned him the Chairman’s prize.

 

2021

First MSFC competition of 2021 was the Morson Cup Light line comp held on 19th February 2021 that was fished by 5 boats with 14 anglers. Only 2 boats managed to get billfish in the mainly dirty water and changing currents, with the result that Simba, fished by Mark Allen, Russell Brumby and Bruce Buckland finished on top with a sailfish on 4kg line – well done Bruce - followed by Tarka that was fished by Greg Brackenridge, Jack McIntosh and Callum Looman who managed 1 sailfish on 8 kg line.

On the following 2 days, the Club hosted the annual International Billfish Tournament with an entry of 12 boats fished by 31 anglers under much improved conditions. The decision to move this tournament forward to where it used to be for many years paid off with a total of 15 marlin – blue, black and stripeys – and 7 sailfish caught and released over the 2 days. A very successful competition with respect to billfish numbers to say the least.

With 2 blue marlin on Day 1 and 2 black marlin on Day 2 - for a tally of 3,600 points - the tournament was easily won by Simba, fished by Andy Adams, Steve Ward and James Taylor.

In 2nd place was Unreel fished by upcountry anglers Jason Boorman, Brett Ayton and Barney who released 1 blue marlin, 1 striped marlin and 3 sailfish for a total of 1,860 points.

In 3rd place was Neptune, fished by Philou Salle, Angus Paul and James who finished with 1,500 points through the release of 1 blue marlin and 1 striped marlin.

Top angler for the competition was Steve Ward who caught the first blue marlin on Simba on Day 1.

Top private boat prize went to Pintail, fished by Russell Brumby and Craig Griffiths who released 1 blue marlin and 1 sailfish. A good effort on a small boat.

On Day 1 there was much excitement on Snow Goose – fished by Angie Jooste, Bruce Buckland and Rick Bate – when Bruce hooked an enormous blue marlin that took the smallest lure in the water on 50lb line. The fish performed brilliantly and those on board lost count of how many jumps this beautiful specimen made. They got it to the trace after 50 minutes, thereafter Bruce played the fish for a further 3.5 hours before the hooks pulled.

More excitement again on Snow Goose on Day 2 when Angie caught her first ever blue marlin. Snow Goose would have finished in 3rd place but sadly, due to engine problems on the way home, Snow Goose was time barred.