First it was the completion of catching nine billfish species which earned him an International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) Billfish Royal Slam in 2004.
Next Zyg Gregorek tallied the eight species needed for an IGFA Tuna Royal Slam in May of 2007.
Finally the 65-year old world traveler from Halwill, Devon in England, scored the hat-trick of blue water fishing slams by flying to San Diego, California, USA, and catching the final species of nine sharks he needed — a 200 lb thresher — for the IGFA’s Shark Royal Slam.
Gregorek’s 18-year global quest for the 26 specific fish took him to countries on six continents like Queensland, Australia; Tasmania, Pakistan, Mauritius, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Spain, Mexico, the Azores, the Galapagos Islands, Ascension Island, both coasts of the U.S., along with his own coastal waters of the United Kingdom.
It’s estimated he traveled over 150,000 miles in his extraordinary adventure in the pursuit of the three slams.
Rob Kramer, president of the IGFA, based in Dania Beach, Fla., described Gregorek’s acheivement as “totally unique.” He added “to achieve one royal slam is impressive but to get all three is unheard of. To our knowledge he is the first.”.
Kramer also stressed, “This is a very popular service the IGFA offers that recognizes individual angler achievement where the fish can all be released alive.”
“It‘s not about luck. You have to research, to know exactly where to go and when.”
For example Gregorek told members of the British media he had been chasing the thresher shark since 2004 in trips to California waters, finally catching one this past May to complete the slam. Besides the thresher, the IGFA’s Shark Royal Slam consists of eight other shark species including hammerhead, blue, mako, tiger, white, tope, whaler, and porbeagle.
He started his pursuit of sharks in 1996 in British waters catching a blue off Cornwall and later a tope and porbeagle off Devon. Two of his sharks were over 1000 lbs.; a 1300 lb great white in Struis Bay off S. Africa, and an 1100 lb tiger shark off Cairns, Australia. .
The 69-year old IGFA has six royal slam "conservation" clubs. The slams consist of the angler catching all IGFA recognized species in certain categories.
The Billfish Royal Slam recognizes anglers catching, or catching and releasing nine species within the angler’s lifetime including Atlantic and Pacific sailfish, Atlantic and Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, white marlin, swordfish, and spearfish.
Gregorek said some of the fish, like species of tuna, were caught while he was on the hunt for marlin.
The IGFA’s Tuna Royal Slam consists of an Atlantic or Pacific bigeye, blackfin, bluefin, dogtooth, longtail, skipjack, southern bluefin, and yellowfin.
While Gregorek’s obsession is fishing his profession is also the same. He and his wife Rose, own an estate on 170 acres called Anglers Paradise, with a series of villas which also encompasses more than a dozen lakes for fly and light tackle sportsmen to catch and release a variety of freshwater species including trout, carp, Wels catfish and golden orfe.
“To complete all three slams is the culmination of many years’ work and the end of a personal journey. I’ve certainly been around and I’ve had a fair few scrapes to get there,” he told the U.K. media.
"I owe a hearty thanks to my family and all the other skippers and crew who helped me. It’s cost a bomb but was worth it in the end. It has also been very humbling. Some of the crews who have helped me have been very poor. In Mozambique the crew asked if they could keep my catches because they were big enough to feed their entire village."
###
Steady fishing and karma helps USA team win IGFA OWC
The Islamorada, Florida Keys’ (USA) team held the same position — fourth place – for three days. But the steady paced fishing of team members John Timura, Robert Collins and Taylor Walsh, all of Islamorada, along with Scott Salley, Naples, Fla., and Ken Longaker of Seattle, Wash., plus a little karma in the final day of fishing, paid off as they captured the IGFA Offshore World Championship title in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Four teams which had been in close contention atop the leader board the previous three days – from Italy, Australia, Croatia and the Sultanate of Oman — found the final day less forgiving as each went scoreless.
Despite a “slow bite” for most of the 63 teams of anglers in the fourth and final day, the five men representing their win in the Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic in the Florida Keys released two marlin and a dorado as a weight fish to total enough points to win.
The ninth annual event sponsored in part by the Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, hosted competitors from 27 nations on six continents, the single largest contingent of international teams to compete in a fishing competition.
Collins said the team which has fished numerous occasions together, also took advantage of two practice days in Cabo, enough time to put mistakes behind them.
“We fished near perfect for the conditions presented to us,” said Collins. “On day two the boat we drew for that round had engine troubles and we weren’t able to back down on the fish or maneuver properly, but we still overcame those problems and did well.”
Collins, Timura, Walsh, Salley and Longaker had an unbroken chain of days in scoring: Day 1 with three marlin – 900 points; Day 2 four marlin and a sailfish—1300 points; Day 3 with four marlin -1200 points and the final day two marlin and a 25 lb 6 oz dorado for a weight fish as insurance equaling 625.6 points for a four day total of 4025.6 points.
“We just fished steady,” said Collins. “Every one of the team members gets along great and that’s part of the success; our personalities are pretty much easy going. In general we all have great karma,” he laughed.
Collins, who has Florida homes in both Islamorada and Naples, is also a two-time winner and current defending champion of the IGFA Inshore World Championship, an annual event held this year from June 29 – July 2, testing many of the best in fly and light tackle fishing for five species in the Florida Keys.
Coming in second in Cabo with 3900 points were Day 3 leaders the 9th Int’l Big-Game Sportfishing Tournament team from Jezera, Croatia. Members included Dario Marijan, Davor Pliso, Jakov Begovic, and Vinko Radetic who the previous day surged into contention with 10 marlin releases, but went zero in the final round.
Finishing third, also with 3900 points based on last fish caught first was the team from Porto Santo Stefano, Italy. The team representing the YCSS-IMD Fishing Tournament fished steady gathering 1200 points in the final round. Anglers included Stefano Desideri, Paolo Viscogliosi, Domenico Scopelliti and Sandro Onofaro. (For the complete story see the IGFA web site http://igfa.org/2008_Offshore/Day_4/Day_4.asp
###
IGFA Inshore World Championship attracting 30 champions
It’s been dubbed the “super bowl” of fly and light-tackle events. From as far away as Ornskoldsvik, Sweden; Murchison Falls in Uganda, Africa and the Daly River of Northern Territory, Australia, 30 champion anglers are headed to the Florida Keys in the U.S. for the eighth annual IGFA Inshore World Championship (IWC), June 29 – July 2 in Islamorada.
The 26 men and six women gained entry as winners in one of over 55 fly and light tackle IGFA sanctioned tournaments during 2007 held in eight countries around the world and in 12 U.S. states. They represent nearly 3,000 anglers on four continents and were invited to compete in the “tournament of champions” event.
“The contest attracts some of the finest men and women fly and light tackle anglers to gather and compete in one of the highest rated fishing regions with top rated guides,” said Ms. Denise Hartman, IGFA tournament coordinator.
“Fifteen of these champions will be first-time invitees to the tournament. The field also includes two brothers (Jim and Art Bokor, from Tavernier, Fla. and Robbinsville, N.J.) and a father and son (Calvin and Cal Collier Jr. of Lake Forest, Ill., and Atlanta, Ga.), all who have won separate events to get here. We also have two-time NASA space shuttle astronaut and avid fisherman Bruce Melnick (Inglis, Fla.) and former NFL lineman Mark Cooper, (Aurora, Colo.), entered.”
Local Keys’ competitors John Timura and Robert Collins are both fresh from another win as members of a five-man team to take a victory in the IGFA Offshore World Championship in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in mid-May.
“Collins is also a two-time and current defending champion of the IWC,” said Ms. Hartman.
The celebrated world-class inshore catch-and-release format features anglers stalking the Florida Bay waters for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish.
On the opening night the anglers will participate in a captain’s draw matching a different guide and angler each day. The IWC features three days of fishing with the contestants vying for timepieces. The four major award categories include: Grand Champion (the angler who accumulates the most points for all five targeted species); and first places in the fly, artificial lure and bait casting divisions. There are also trophies and merchandise for second and third place divisional winners in the three categories as well as to the top three guides.
The point value of the fish is determined by species and the angler’s preference choice of fly fishing, artificial lure or bait.
“Within
moments of the captain’s draw and right up to the end the anglers are strategizing and playing mind games,” said tournament director Mike Myatt. “Some anglers will use one fishing approach or all three over the three days. With so many different fishing disciplines represented by the qualifying champions, this format levels the on-the-water playing field.”
Fishing and daily scorekeeping take place from the World Wide Sportsman marina and the Islander Resort serves as the tournament headquarters, both located near mile marker 82.
Next year Florida Keys Outfitters located in Islamorada will form a partnership with the IGFA for sport fishing’s premier international fly and light tackle tournament. Florida Keys Outfitters’ Sandy Moret will take over the management of the IWC to begin its ninth year.
Sponsors this year include Mercury Outboards, Bacardi, Costa Del Mar, G. Loomis, Hook and Tackle, Islamorada Fish Co., Islander Resort, King Sailfish Mounts, Rapala, Shimano, Stiffy Push Poles, 3M Scientific Anglers, Reel Life Art by Pasta, World Wide Sportsman, Zane Grey Lounge, KD & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Redbone Gallery, Image Graphics 2000, Momoi, Diamond Illusion and Daiichi.
Results of the IGFA IWC along with photos of the previous day’s round will be posted each morning on the IGFA’s home page at igfa.org.
For further information, contact Ms. Hartman at the IGFA, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004; (954) 927-2628; Fax (954) 924-4299; Email: DHartman@igfa.org.
###
June Hot Catches from the IGFA World Records Department
Each month the International Game Fish Association’s world records department receives nearly a hundred submissions. From IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Wright here are highlights of nine selected documented fish catches now before the world records review committee:
Fishing the Norfolk Canyon off his coastal Virginia USA hometown, Heath Cataulin, guided by Skip Feller, landed a yellowedge grouper (Epinephelus favolimbatus) on March 12. Caught on squid the grouper weighed 20.92 kg (46 lb 2 oz). Cataulin has applied for an IGFA all-tackle class record. The current record caught in the Gulf of Mexico off Destin, Fla., USA, May 1998, is 41 lb 1 oz. (Photo: yellowedge grouper – 08040052)
Fly-fishing 2 kg (4 lb) class tippet, on an Auburn, Ala., USA lake, George P. Mann, of nearby Opelika, landed a bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) on April 15 after an eight minute fight. Caught on a Grab-a-Holt fly the slab weighed 1.08 kg (2 lb 6 oz). He’s hoping to beat the current IGFA record of 2 lb caught June 2001, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, USA. (Photo: bluegill – 08040054)
On April 22, Cleveland, Tenn., USA angler Eric Maurer, landed a freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) weighing 8.16 kg (18 lb 0 oz). He used 3 kg (6 lb) class line with threadfin shad for bait while fishing Guntersville Lake, Tenn. The current IGFA line class record for the species is 16 lb 6 oz caught on Kentucky Lake, Oct. 2003. (Photo: freshwater drum – 08040054A)
Using a sardine for bait while fishing the Rio Amazonas, Brazilian.angler Gilberto Fernandes, of Mao, AM, landed an Amazon pellona (Pellona castelneana) on April 12. He used 1 kg (2 lb) class line and took 12 minutes to land the fish
which weighed 4.01 kg (8 lb 13 oz). The current line class record is 2 lb 12 oz pulled from Brazil’s Guapore River, in Feb. 2003. (Photo: Amazon Pellona – 08040060)
Fly fishing the Benguerra Island, of Mozambique Stan Nabozny, of The Woodlands, Texas, USA, landed a doublespotted queenfish (Scomberoides lysan) on March 27 weighing 2.27 kg (5 lb 0 oz). He was guided by Andrew Parsons, using 6 kg (12 lb) class tippet with a Clouser minnow fly. The current IGFA men’s tippet record is 3 lb 6 oz caught off the Christmas Island in Kiribati, Feb. 2003. (Photo: doublespotted queenfish – 08040064)
Without knowing it at the time Jason "Master B" Land, Florence, Ky., USA, more than doubled the current record for a grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) on April 27, 2008 weighing 19.79 kg (43 lb 10 oz) using 1 kg (2 lb) class line. Fishing his hometown waters he used bread for bait and with poise controlling the very thin line landed the fish in 42 minutes. If his documentation is in order he’ll beat the current IGFA mark of 20 lb 8 oz caught in August of 2005 along the Tamiami Trail in Fla. (Photo: grass carp – 08050001)
Seaford, NY, USA angler Robert Solberg, guided by Stevon Forsberg, landed a goosefish (Lophius Americanus) on April 14 fishing Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts, USA. He used a diamond jig for bait and after a 15 minute fight weighed the fish at 23.25 kg (51 lb 4 oz). The current All-Tackle record for the species is 49 lb 12 oz also caught in the northeast region on July 1991 at Ogunquit, Maine. (Photo: goosefish – 08050004)
Finessing his 1 kg (2 lb) class line John Millar, Vauxhall Dunedin, New Zealand, landed an albacore (Thunnus alalunga) weighing 9.75 kg (21 lb 7 oz). It took him 45 minutes to land the fish using a Cabelas Rip-n-Shad for bait, fishing Jackson Bay, New Zealand on Feb. 21. The current IGFA men’s line class record is 16 lb 6 oz caught in the same bay Feb. 2007. (Photo: albacore – 08050013)
With an hour gripping her rod and reel to bring in her quarry Faye McDougall, Greerton Tauranga, New Zealand, landed a southern yellowtail (Seriola lalandi lalandi) on Feb. 7, 2008. She was guided by Ian McDougall using a bonito for bait on 8 kg (16 lb) class line for the fish that weighed 28.9 kg (63 lb 11oz). Ms. McDougall was fishing Karewa, New Zealand. The current IGFA record from June 1998 is 54 lb 10 oz caught off the Cavalli Island, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. (Photo: southern yellowtail – 08050014)
###
IGFA’s popular School of Sportfishing back this fall
After a summer break the IGFA’s popular School of Sportfishing will resume at the end of August with a selection of Tuesday night classes.
An IGFA education spokesman said the topic list for the eighth session will be posted in early August on the IGFA web site and includes new titles and instructors. The web site can be found at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp . It will include each instructor’s biography and professional accomplishments as well.
“This past session we introduced two new classes which included ‘Understanding Your Onboard Electronics’ and ‘Tarpon, Redfish and Trout Tactics,’” said IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese. “Both were well-received by all the participants.
He added that anglers from other classes have reported fantastic fishing with greatly improved catch ratios after putting their newly gained knowledge to practice on the water.
“With the price of gas climbing higher each week, customers have been giving the program great feedback saying they’ve become much more efficient in finding fish and making each strike count.”
Matagiese said all classes are limited to the first 24 anglers to sign up. The Tuesday night classes are held from 7 – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. The cost is $100 for IGFA members and $150 for non-members per class. To sign up or for more information, contact Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org. Registration is also available online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.
###
IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps underway through mid-August
Nothing beats the IGFA’s weekly Junior Angler Summer Camps for hands-on activities for youngsters.
Now in its ninth year and held at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Fla., the association is offering nine weeklong summer camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13 from June 9 – August 15th.
The campers spend time in the museum where they learn about fishing techniques, conservation, marine biology, tying flies & jigs, and participate in simulated fishing tournaments. Field trips take the campers on a variety of fresh and salt water adventures: drift boat, pier and shore fishing, wetlands exploration and much more. These camps give children the opportunity to have fun while being educated on local habitats and ethical practices. During each week-long experience, campers will discover the importance of the different fresh and salt water habitats for sport fishing.
For much more information, please call 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/camps.asp.
###
Sharkwater film and exhibition continues for three months
Sharkwater, the award-winning feature length film and exhibition which premiered last fall at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, will end its run at the end of September.
A winner of 19 international awards the much acclaimed 90-minute documentary film, is being shown four times daily on Saturdays at 10:15 a.m., noon, 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and Sundays at noon, 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. On weekdays the film is shown at 3:30 p.m.
Also featured in the Museum’s Changing Gallery is an interactive and educational exhibition based around shark con
servation.
The IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame is located at 300 Gulf Stream Way, off I-95 in Dania Beach next to Bass Pro Shops. The hall is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free to IGFA members. Guest fees are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and children ages 3 – 16.
For more information phone the IGFA at 954-924-4370.
###
IGFA members can get more “bang” with BAMM
If you have a membership to the IGFA, you’ve also got a membership to 20 other participating museums and attractions throughout Broward County during the month of June.
IGFA members can use their cards for reciprocal benefits in all of the BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) member sites. The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.” Each institution will define exactly what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level. The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop.
For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org. Additional information can be found on the BAMM web site at www.bamminfo.com
###
Calendar of future IGFA events
Now through September 2008 – Sharkwater, award-winning feature length film and exhibition, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – Extended through September due to popular demand, the much-acclaimed 90-minute documentary film, winner of 19 international awards, is being shown four times daily on Saturdays at 10:15 a.m., noon, 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and Sunday’s at noon, 1:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. On weekdays it’s shown at 3:30 p.m. An interactive and educational exhibition based around shark conservation is also featured in the Museum’s Changing Gallery. Monthly lectures featuring local and national shark experts are also scheduled. The IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame is located at 300 Gulf Stream Way, off I-95 in Dania Beach next to Bass Pro Shops. The hall is open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free to IGFA members. Guest fees are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and children ages 3 – 16. For more information phone the IGFA at 954-924-4370.
———————–
June 1 – 30, 2008 — BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month). During the month of June anyone with a membership in the IGFA or one the 20 other participating museums and attractions in Broward County will be able to use that for reciprocal benefits in all. The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.” Each institution will define exactly what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level. The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org. Additional information can be found on the BAMM web site at www.bamminfo.com
————————-
June 9 — Aug 15, 2008 — IGFA’s nine weekly Summer Camps begin, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – This is the ninth year of the IGFA’s popular nine weekly camps held during the summer break for children ages 8 to 13. Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting marine life activities. Each week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before and after-care is available from 8 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to the IGFA summer camp website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. There’s a maximum of 45 children per week, so parents are encouraged to reserve early. Registration is available by calling the IGFA education department at 954-924-4309 or via email at reservations@igfa.org.
————————-
June 29 – July 2, 2008 — Eighth annual IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada, Fla., USA – Called by anglers and the media the “super bowl” of light tackle and fly fishing, invitations are sent to the winners of over 50 IGFA qualifying tournaments held on four continents in 2007 to compete in this three day all-release championship. From a drawing the qualifiers are paired with a different premier Keys guide each day fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish using fly or light tackle equipment. The five major award categories will include: Grand Champion (the angler who accumulates the most points for all five targeted species); runner-up grand champion and first places in the fly, artificial lure and bait casting divisions. There are also trophies and merchandise for second and third place divisional winners in the three categories as well as the top three guides. Contact: IGFA IWC tournament coordinator Denise Hartman 954-924-4243 or DHartman@igfa.org or for media information Pete Johnson, IGFA PR counsel at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com
————————
July 19, 2008 — IGFA Observer Training Class – IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. — 9 a.m. – The class trains experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world. The course includes species Identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules & regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA OTC applications are available at the IGFA website www.igfa.org, and at the IGFA headquarters. Pre-registration is required and the $150 fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials, and a one-year membership in the IGFA. For additional information, please contact Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or via email: jschratwieser@igfa.org.
————————-
August 2, 2008 — Boaters Safety Course, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
————————
October 25, 2008 — The 10th Annual IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla., USA — This year’s event will be the highlight of a weekend-long (Friday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Oct. 26) celebration in honor of all 70 members and the newest five inductees of the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Henry Chee, Dr. Roy Dean, Jimmy Houston, Kay Rybovich and Karl Wickstrom. They were selected for the important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishery resources. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2008 class and dinner. Tickets are $200. For reservation information please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org
————————
November 8, 2008 — Boaters Safety Course, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
————————
November 10 – 13, 2008 – The Fifth World Recreational Fishing Conference, IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla., USA –Representatives from around the globe will be hosted by the IGFA at an international forum for the recreational fishing community. The conference will target the tackle industry, angling tourism and include representatives from non governmental organizations and fisheries science and management. Topics will include historical and recent trends in participation, emerging fisheries, recreational fisheries science and management, socioeconomics, and catch and release. For information on the conference or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.worldrecfish.org or contact IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or jschratwieser@igfa.org
###
