Yes, the fishing season is here and "they" are (or at least "have been") amongst us. As "Gray May" slipped away "June Gloom" was rapidly replaced by "June Bloom." Vast stretches of blue water, birds and bait brought large schools of the longfins and, suddenly, there were Albacore everywhere and everyone was catching limits. The 1^st Albie weighed in at the Club was a 21 pder on June 1^st by the Club’s Web Master, DENNIS ALBERT, and soon, everyone was getting in on the action. Fish popped up at the 302, 425, 371, 390, 43 and the "Butterfly." It was "The Happy Time" and even the weather had cooperated. But the water was been warming rapidly and the first migration of fish kept on going to the Northwest. The end of the month - as Dorado creep into the counts with an occasional reference to Bluefin, Yellowfin and Skipjack – the Albacore counts dropped somewhat. Hopefully, a reported large school down below would continue sliding through instead of moving out to the west. And with the warm water – keep a sharp eye out for those skinny things.

WELCOME TO A NEW FACE: Joining LIL MILLER and WAYNE SLAHOR in the "front office" is PENNY OLFERS. She is a native San Diegan, 1^st generation removed from the Netherlands. PENNY was done considerable traveling up and down the Baja in her 4-wheel drive Jeep with a pop-up tent trailer accompanied by her pet dog, Sedona, and various cats. She obviously enjoys the outdoor life including camping, boating, scuba-diving, surfing, hiking and a little photography thrown in. She has also toured the States, Europe and even spent time in the Brazil/Amazon area. When not traveling she has done catalog production work for companies from Eddie Bauer to Spiegel, Buick to Jeep, etc. Yes, she enjoys the chance to "wet a line" and caught her first Marlin in 1997 in Cabo. In her spare time she makes jewelry for herself.

Speaking of New Faces – let’s welcome a NEW MEMBER: AL ARDALE; 3571 Seaward Circle, #400, Oceanside, CA 92056; (760)-631-8080.

And here is another new face – a real "keeper" – congratulations to BARRY ROCKWELL and his new 1^st Mate, CATHY. Another entry for the Couples Tournament?

REPORTS FROM THE CLUB HOUSE: LIL, WAYNE and PENNY wish to advise us that the Year Book is at the printers and should be ready for pick-up by July 15^th. But – please call first and make sure that they are in before rushing over.

In addition, the staff wishes to advise one and all that the Club is now taking credit cards (dues, tournament entries, clothing, etc). I haven’t heard yet if raffle (or lottery) tickets are covered.

WAYNE has also requested that members call the Club with their fishing reports – good, bad, or ugly. The more information received – the more informative the recorded messages can be.

RECENT EVENTS: the Club’s 1^st Sundowner/Potluck dinner was held on Friday, June 15^th. We had an excellent presentation about Kayak fishing by Jerry Esten, originator of Jerry Jigs (now marketed by Izorline) and Adam "Trout" Traubman of Solana Beach.. Jerry sponsors an annual Kayak fishing tournament out of Redondo King Harbor, an event that is attracting over 100 participants. Adam gave us a lot of the fine points about Kayak fishing techniques and equipment. He demonstrated his own outfit featuring a live bait tank, fish finder ("sonar"), dry bags, rod holders and the usual assortment of rods, net, gaff, etc. Even PETE GRAY made the slide show. Unfortunately, the evening was competing with the Lakers’ fifth and final game, the Padres’ special fireworks night (which attracted over 60,000 souls), and opening day at the Delmar fair. The result was that only about 20 of us were in attendance and we would like to thank those who did attend. (Won’t someone please tell me where those chocolate brownies came from?)

COMING EVENTS: On that same topic it is noted that the Club has scheduled a Saturday evening "Albie-Q" for July 14^th, another opportunity to do some socializing and relaxing at the Club while enjoying a fresh Albacore (and Tuna?) cook-out.

As July slips away it is hoped that the Marlins will have slipped in and the Carp fishing is underway. After the August 17^th POTLUCK DINNER what follows is a series of tournaments each of which having something different to offer to those so inclined. Thus, get ready for the real reel thing:

AUGUST 18: JUNIORS TOURNAMENT – Chairman: KEN MORRIS

All juniors, 16 or less as of Jan.1, 2001 who fish on a member’s boat, are eligible to participate. Guests, fishing on member boats are welcome. Once again, an outstanding array of prizes and awards have been lined up. All participants attending the awards BBQ will be eligible for the super rod and reel combo raffle. Applications will be in next months’s Gaffline or available at the Club.

As indicated in the Year Book this is the Annual President’s Tournament that will be preceded by a Potluck Dinner the night before. Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Dinner. There is no charge for this competition. Participation is limited to Club Members with Spouses. The Rules are very basic – have fun and catch fish! No line restriction.

Traditionally, everyone likes to go fishing on the Labor Day week-end. In fact, just a few years ago we had some rather spectacular fishing on this w/e two years in a row. Also, traditionally, the Club has had an intra-club tournament the same week-end. In preparing for this event I have listened to the many comments made re: the ILTT. In response, since this is supposed to be a fun, family-oriented week-end we shall attempt to KISS (as in Keep It Simple Stupid). But remember – only MC members are eligible for awards. Thus, we shall fight it out in accordance with the following rigid set of rules:
NO entry fee
NO line restriction (with the sole exception that 80 pd line is not permitted).
NO line testing
NO mileage limitation
NO reporting (unless planning to release)
NO limit to the number of bodies allowed on the boats
Fish to be weighed in must be at the Club by 7:00 PM on Sunday, 9-2.
Release points will be based on AVERAGE weight of ALL fish weighed at the Marlin Club prior to the week-end.

The climax of the Holiday activities will be the traditional BBQ on Monday, Sept. 3. We would like to make this a relaxed and catered affair so that all involved can sit back and make this a "fun" week-end. Therefore, we shall impose a nominal $15 charge for all attending the BBQ. A "semi-official" entry form (which will enable us to get some kind of a headcount will come with next month’s Gaffline).

As in the past awards for the largest Marlin by a Man, by a Woman, and by a Junior as well as the High Release Boat will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet. We are also attempting to initiate an award for the High Scoring Boat.

SEPT. 7^TH & 8^TH: OFFSHORE INVITATIONAL TAG & RELEASE TOURNAMENT – CHAIRMAN: RICH HAMILTON

The 2^nd annual Tournament is shaping up nicely. There have been several modifications/improvements to this year’s event that you should know about. This year will be a 2 day (Fri/Sat) event with the awards dinner held on Sunday, Sept. 9. Along with the great dinner, participants receive free early entry into Sea World. That are more ways to win with an "amateur" daily jackpot, Top Club Award, a Mikelson/Riviera/Hatteras jackp[ot, a "Zuker" prize, great member bonuses and, best of all, EVERY angler with a qualifying release will receive valuable prizes like custom rods, sunglasses, tackle, gift certificates and more! FISHERMAN’S LANDING will provide a "Big Game Achievement Award." If the first fish of the tournament is a Swordfish and /or the largest tuna is over 125 pounds those anglers will receive a $1,000 shopping spree! All members are encouraged to participate. If you can’t fish it, volunteer to help out! Call the Club for more details.

YEAR BOOK (FULL PAGE AD) SPONSORS

Boats:
Blackman Boats (Don & Shirley Blackman); 4925 Market St.;(619)266-8013
Crow’s Nest Brokerage (Michael Gardella); 2515 Shelter Island Dr.; (619)222-1122
Riviera-Ellsworth Marine; (619)294-6568

Many thanks to ALL of our subscribers. We owe them our support and gratitude!!!.

"Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" - Wind in the Willows

THE MARLIN CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
2445 SHELTER ISLAND DRIVE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92106