WELL, it is time to set the record straight. Last week it was reported that had caught the season's first blue marlin. That, in fact, was not the case. Upon further follow-up, it was revealed that although had come very close to capturing a healthy blue, as things transpired, it turned out to be what those of us in the trade term a "long release", thus it really did not qualify as a catch. It was more of a "onethatgotaway".

This week it can be reported that first blood in the marlin derby went to Alan "Heads" DeSilva who was trying out his new Ricky Scarborough custom yacht, . The fish was apparently in the 350-400 pound range and was brought alongside in the approved manner before being released.

Several other boats have also reported marlin strikes and as these have come from all over, it is probably an indication that there are plenty of blues about. Even off the East End where Capt. Bounce Barnes' had a brush with a blue on Sunday. All this augurs well for high summer.

Another sign that it is marlin season is the presence of visiting sport fishing boats at the RBYC. Although there are quite a few expected here this summer, the real influx won't occur until after the Newport to Bermuda yacht race. The reason for this is quite simple ? lack of mooring space in general and, in particular, with one of sailing's premier events taking place, all berthing space is at a premium. So give it a couple more weeks and the riggers and towers of the big battlewagons will again be gracing the waterfront. And with that will come the serious billfishing. Less than a month now to the Bermuda Big Game Classic! Now that it is firmly established that the billfish season has commenced, there will be increased effort from the boats carrying the heavy gear.

There will also be any number of accusations levelled against marlin when any strike results in a large amount of line being stripped off prior to breaking or the hook coming unstuck. This has always been the case of mystery attacks in the deep, but with more having been learnt about billfish, they now have become a real scapegoat. People forget things like bluefin and bigeye tuna that occasionally happen through local waters, to say nothing of really large yellowfin tuna.

In the case of the latter, the 200-pound mark has never been bettered here although a locally caught fish was within a few ounces of it. But contrast that with the North Carolina state record of 237 pounds or the South Carolina record of 241.75 pounds. They are all fishing in the same pond as we are, so there is every reason to think that fish that size happen here now and again as well. And if you don't think that a 200-pound Allison couldn't dump a reel, you had better think again.

And, as a by the way, the North Carolina record wahoo is a bit of a show stopper as well ? 150 pounds! On that note, the local wahoo action has also slipped into summer mode. The fish are smaller and less plentiful and it makes more sense to chum for a variety of fish than it does to burn lots of fuel in the hope of scrounging up a few wahoo. They are still there, of course, for those wishing to invest a bit of trolling time but don't expect a boatful. The best bet is probably to go chumming in the hope of being able to use a live robin to try and entice a hungry 'hoo.

Back to light tackle action and Bermuda Anglers Club fished their annual club tourney over the weekend. Garry Toy, fishing aboard Brian Lines" , took High Point Angler honours with a total of 996 points from a 16.5-pound blackfin and a 24.25-pound yellowfin with a yellowfin release.

This narrowly beat out Bobby Rego who, fishing off , had a total of 914 points. Toy's fish along with two blackfin tuna releases by Brain Lines gave the High Point Boat Award with an aggregate 1,446 points. Notably, all but one of the fish caught by the participants was taken on 12-lb test line.

Sticking with the chumming, there are certainly some larger tuna around.

Capt. Allen DeSilva's had a bit of a field day earlier this week, managing a nice haul of Allisons in the 50 to 60 pound range. These are obviously school fish and so there are bound to be others in this size class. More commonly encountered are the 20-25 pounders but, give it time, and most chumlines will probably attract a mixed bunch.

There is also an abundance of small game. Mackerel, rainbow runner, bonita, you name it and they are out there. Perhaps not the most exciting species but most of these are game fish in their own right and by using tackle suited to them, a great deal of fun can be had. Just think that for most of the world's anglers a three pound trout is a whopper. Here we are turning up our noses at fish three or four times as large and even then using 30-lb test to do it. If you really want to have some fun try using a spinning rod in the manner for which it was designed ? to cast out artificials. Just about everything from tuna through oceanic bonito on to rainbow runners will attack popping lures and each is capable of giving a decent account of itself on 12-lb test line.

The ultimate in this sort of angling is, of course, fly fishing. Although only attempted by a few locals, there has always been some interest in using the way that we chum tuna here as a means of taking tuna on flies.

Such was the case last week when a group of visiting anglers staged a private event known as the Brien/Palliot Fly Fishing Tournament. This invitational event was being staged on an exploratory basis with a view to establishing a competitive fly fishing tournament here in the future.

Although feedback has been limited, it seems that the organisers were well pleased with the quality and variety of the fish that they were able to hook and, sometimes catch on fly tackle. One suspects that they will be back next year.

Never commonplace locally but a regular enough visitor that many anglers and commercial fishermen have seen them, there is presently a whale shark hanging around the Banks. This fish is absolutely huge but totally harmless toward anything other than planktonic forms of life. Rather like the great whales, it is a filter feeder. Nonetheless it is a magnificent sight and a memory that can be treasured. Happily, when they do show up, they often hang around for weeks although it is generally just a single fish. Most other occurrences of this species have been later on in the summer but the numbers have never been significant enough to allow the establishment of any pattern. If you are out there, it is worth looking out for. And, unless you happen to jig it, you won't have to worry about it giving you any Tight lines!!!