The Serious Fishing Club
The Serious Fishing Club (SFC) is a meeting of fishing enthusiasts for a weekend of fine food
fellowship and fishing,Starting in 1993, members of the Rotary Club of Nelson have
travelled aboard a charter launch for a weekend in the French Pass - D'Urville
Island area at the northern end of the Marlborough Sounds.
This trip has for many
become a much looked forward to annual event.
2001 Trip
With the short notice given, the 2001 trip, held in May, attracted only eight starters. This
lack of numbers was not matched by the enthusiasm of the team and an excellent days fishing
was had, with nearly all catching a snapper and our quota af cod was caught.
The group
also saw the effects of nets when an abandoned setnet was pulled in with hundreds of dead
and dying fish.
Despite light rain before the day, there was no wind or rain to detract from
the enjoyment of the day.
As usual, the day finished with a joint meal at our stay - the French
Pass Motel run by Danny and Lynn Boulton.
Due to lack of a suitable vessel a small group of stalwarts went by road to French Pass for a
day's fishing aboard Danny Bolton's charter boat "The Spirit of D'Urville"His
charters can be seen on his
website.
The prize for keenness must surely go to Al Kirk, whose feats of grouper
catching last year were not repeated because the wind was too strong to venture onto the
grouper fishing grounds.
Al now lives in Whangerei but travelled down on Friday September 21st to see The
Wearable Arts show that night, travelled to French Pass to leave for the day's fishing then
back home to Whangerei on Sunday afternoon to start work on Monday morning.
2002Trip
In 2002 it was the year of the Graemes, with Graeme Robertson catching his first kingfish. This was no tiddler
and tipped the scales at 25 pounds. Graeme Prestidge thought his feat would be in catching the most barracouta,
but with only five minutes of fishing for the day remaining he pulled in the only snapper of the trip.
The Fisherman's Trophy
In 1993 the incumbent President, author and fishing trip organiser donated a trophy to the
club to mark fishing achievements. It is awarded annually by the holder to the winner by
whatever criteria the holder thinks appropriate.
Previous holders have been
- Ken Johnson
- Keith Ercolano
- Barrie Staite
- Terri Potroz
- Garth Taylor
- Lester Wilson
- Graeme Prestidge
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