Allen De Silva was taken fishing by his father when he was just eight, and he became hooked for life.

Every spare moment after school and weekends was spent with his fishing rod off any part of the Island.

Gradually, as he got older he moved from dry land to sea, and once he began big game fishing, he could not stop.

So the first thing the young Allen did when he left school was go out and buy a boat. The small 23ft boat he named Mako became not only his life, but his livelihood as he took private hires for fishing parties.

As the years went on, and profits increased, Mr. De Silva moved to larger vessels, which would allow better and more stable fishing.

At the moment he is on Mako 4 , and is patiently waiting the delivery of his biggest boat ever -- Mako 5 . It is a brand new state-of-the-art purpose built 57ft fishing boat which he believes will make for the best fishing ever.

Mr. De Silva has, however, a cloud on his silver lining. Dean Jones, his partner for 20 years is leaving the Island and moving to the states.

And they are selling off the other part of their business, a profitable 65ft party fishing ship which leaves from Albouys Point every day during the season. The partners brought the boat from the States three years ago and Eureka became the first party fishing boat on the Island.

"Dean is moving to the States with his family, and I can't manage the two boats on my own. And as my first love is the big game fishing, that is the part I will have to keep,'' said Mr. De Silva.

Eureka is being sold as a going concern. The deal includes enough fishing tackle for 150 people and contracts with the cruise ship who advertise the trips on board the liners before they dock. Previously when the 25-year-old ship was worked in the States, it was licensed for over 150 passengers.

The ship, which was built in the 1960s, was worked up the East Coast as "Sunny Briggs''. It was a successful business and was run by one man for decades. When he passed away, his son sold the boat to Mr. De Silva and Mr.

Jones, who sailed her to Bermuda.

"She is a good old girl and is great in heavy seas. She was purpose built, so she is perfect for the job.'' As the new owners the Bermudian partners decided that running her to capacity at 150 passenger was too much, and reduced the load to a maximum of 70. On board there are facilities for food, a bar and a T-shirt stand. The four hour trips cost $60 for those wanting to fish and $30 a head for children and sunbathers. And there is no doubt with Eureka running six days a week twice a day between April and October that the business is a thriving one.

"If I was a real businessman, I would sell the other part of the business and keep the fishing party boat. But my heart is in the big game. It is where I get the most enjoyment.'' The partners have not put a fixed price on the business, so are not sure what they will get when the closing date comes tomorrow.

But the boat itself alone is worth about $150,000. That is without the cruise ship contracts, the licences, the equipment, the company name and good will that comes along with it.

"To be honest I have no idea what we will get on Friday. There has been some interest, but everyone is keeping their cards close to their chest. And if someone would give me a good offer to come into partnership with me, I would take it. In all honesty, I would be sad to see it go.''