BIG GAME FISHING: WHERE IS TERRY? TI-IBT March 1999

TI-IBT March 1999

The 1999 version of the Tahitian Inter-Island Tournament was held March 1st through March 6th in the fertile waters off the islands of Raiatea and Bora Bora. The three days of fishing resulted in 38 blue marlin tagged and released with 6 fish being weighed. The largest was a 397-pounder caught by Tepoe Pere of the Bora Bora Fishing Club aboard the Callina. The tournament was won by Christina Flosse, daughter of the president of French Polynesia, who caught and released four blue marlin and one sailfish for a total of 500 points. Parke Berolzheimer from Stockton, California was second with four blue marlin releases netting 400 points. Pere finished in third place with 380 points.

Thirty-eight boats participated in the event with four American teams making the trip. My partner Richard Richardson from Houston and I once again fished aboard the Tevaite II but were not as successful as we had been the previous year when we finished third. We struck out the first day of fishing off Raiatea. On the second day, fishing off Bora Bora, Richard caught a small fish which he rapidly tagged and released. The last day we fished from Bora Bora back to Raiatea but had no luck.Unfortunately I never even experienced a strike the entire tournament.

As always it was still an incredibly enjoyable trip. The people of French Polynesia are among the most hospitable in the world and one cannot beat the weather or the awesome scenery. This year there was one added feature as we stayed aboard the Haumana, a small cruise boat, which acted as our tournament hotel and headquarters. The first-class service and wonderful cuisine provided aboard the vessel made our trip even more memorable.


Bora Bora from the air	Hotel Hawaiki Nui, Raiatea	The Haumana


The Beachcomber, Papeete, Tahiti	Richard on his fish	Richard's release