Fall Flash (Updated 12/14/98)

• Sorry for the delay in an update! The substitute web master (Tami) is still trying to figure out modern technology!! Late November & December have been pretty productive. More blue marlin & big yellowfins are showing up every day. We had 3 double slams at our marina last week! I think this spring's gonna be a DOOZIE!! Happy Holidays to everyone and I'll be back in January! Ho Ho Ho & Happy New Year!
• At mid-November the white marlin action has started to taper off (as ususal), but more and more blue marlin are being seen. The Courtesan crew released their 200th blue marlin for the (calendar) year yesterday- nice going, gentlemen!
• Richard's First Annual Grand Slam Fly Fishing Tournament was held over Halloween weekend, with 5 boats and 10 anglers participating. unfortunately no one was able to release a slam, but the tournament was won by Bimini Gill aboard the Courtesan.
• Richard Gibson's "Second Annual Venezuelan International Grand Slam Billfish Tournament" concluded 10/18, with the top three boats including Salitre (Capt. Paul Ivey), Exile (Capt. Luis Suarez) and Blank Check (Capt. Terry Stansel). A totla of 28 boats released 18 Grand Slams totaling 351 billfish releases (28 blue marlin. 239 white marlin and 84 sailfish). Hard Luck Trophy winner Joe Neuber earned his prize by having a mild heart attack after releasing a nice blue marlin aboard the Courtesan on the first day of tournament fishing, but he's back home in Newtown Square, Pa. now and is doing fine, thank you. Both Courtesan and Courtesan Too finished out of the money this year, we are sorry to say.
• October, to 10/20, has produced over 60 white marlin releases, 40+ sailfish releases and 7 blue marlin releases for the Courtesan. Courtesan Too and Dale Clavo have been racking up similar numbers, so we'd have to say the fishing is pretty good.
• Full updates have been delayed to due webmaster absence from the scene (and the source of the statistics), but Courtesan released 158 white marlin, 17 sailfish and 4 blue marlin in September. Anglers included Dr. James Carrier, Rick Ryals, Laura Roden, Mike Lloyd, Staci Ross, Bob Carter, Todd Carter, Ronald Figg, Joe BRinson, Drs. Jose Bird and Miguel Vega, with Mike Bird, Peter Dunlap, Chris Dunlap, Marcus Desmowoe and Dave Pollard, Mark & Kathy Deyo, Scott Zublin, Dr. Richard Cyrus, and the Kraaz brothers, Gerald and Hans. Wow!
• At mid-November the white marlin action has started to taper off (as ususal), but more and more blue marlin are being seen. The Courtesan crew released their 200th blue marlin for the (calendar) year yesterday- nice going, gentlemen!
• Richard's First Annual Grand Slam Fly Fishing Tournament was held over Halloween weekend, with 5 boats and 10 anglers participating. unfortunately no one was able to release a slam, but the tournament was won by Bimini Gill aboard the Courtesan.
• Richard Gibson's "Second Annual Venezuelan International Grand Slam Billfish Tournament" concluded 10/18, with the top three boats including Salitre (Capt. Paul Ivey), Exile (Capt. Luis Suarez) and Blank Check (Capt. Terry Stansel). A totla of 28 boats released 18 Grand Slams totaling 351 billfish releases (28 blue marlin. 239 white marlin and 84 sailfish). Hard Luck Trophy winner Joe Neuber earned his prize by having a mild heart attack after releasing a nice blue marlin aboard the Courtesan on the first day of tournament fishing, but he's back home in Newtown Square, Pa. now and is doing fine, thank you. Both Courtesan and Courtesan Too finished out of the money this year, we are sorry to say.
• October, to 10/20, has produced over 60 white marlin releases, 40+ sailfish releases and 7 blue marlin releases for the Courtesan. Courtesan Too and Dale Clavo have been racking up similar numbers, so we'd have to say the fishing is pretty good.
• Full updates have been delayed to due webmaster absence from the scene (and the source of the statistics), but Courtesan released 158 white marlin, 17 sailfish and 4 blue marlin in September. Anglers included Dr. James Carrier, Rick Ryals, Laura Roden, Mike Lloyd, Staci Ross, Bob Carter, Todd Carter, Ronald Figg, Joe BRinson, Drs. Jose Bird and Miguel Vega, with Mike Bird, Peter Dunlap, Chris Dunlap, Marcus Desmowoe and Dave Pollard, Mark & Kathy Deyo, Scott Zublin, Dr. Richard Cyrus, and the Kraaz brothers, Gerald and Hans. Wow!

  Most people think of September and October as the "peak" of the white marlin season here, but in previous years we've always seen the annual migration begin sometime in August. True to form, the Dale Clavo saw 15 whites last Sunday, and 11 yesterday. We're hoping for a great fall season again this year, so come on down!

  Most people think of September and October as the "peak" of the white marlin season here, but in previous years we've always seen the annual migration begin sometime in August. True to form, the Dale Clavo saw 15 whites last Sunday, and 11 yesterday. We're hoping for a great fall season again this year, so come on down!

  Summer Flash (Updated 8/23/98)

• Roger Molina's group released 4 white marlin yesterday aboard the Courtesan Too. The Dale Clavo team slammed out with a blue, 6 whites and 2 sails. They had the second blue marlin on for the Double Grand Slam, but broke him off. Mike Wilder continued to celebrate his birthday by catching his first personal Grand Slam yesterday.
• The Marina Portofino "fleet" is staying in Venezuela this summer, while Courtesan gets a refit (new teak decking, covering boards and paint). Courtesan Too and Dale Clavo are available- and the fish are biting, so come on down!
• Mike Wilder celebrated his birthday early with a 4+ hour battle with a 282 lb yellowfin tuna on the 7th, on 30 lb! According to our IGFA record book, this catch would have been a world record for the line class but for the fact that Mike handed off the rod to his brother Mark for the last 20 minutes or so of the fight. Oh well, Happy Birthday anyway...
• Dr. Gerhard Stanek and Alois Maly flew over from Austria to fish with Capt. Hector and the Courtesan Too crew last weekend, and released 5 swordfish, 2 blue marlin, 2 white marlin and a sailfish. After a few days of "R & R" in Margarita, they're on their way to Madeira next.
• Bill DeGraw achieved his objective over the Independance Day weekend, releasing 3 swordfish and 2 blue marlin.
• While waiting for materials in June, the Courtesan crew fished 6 days and released 22 blue marlin, along with a few whites and sails. One day the "pros" were 9 for 11 on blues, and the following day Tami released 5 blues and a white herself. A busman's holiday?

• Old Flash Reports Index
• An overview of Marina Portofino
• Important information for visiting vessels and crews is now available at Port Entry Procedures
• A brief "How-To" for Owners and Captains regarding Legal Charters in Venezuela
• Read or Download our Dockage Contract and Yacht Registration Form
• QCA (Questions Captains Ask) (A list of FAQs by and for Captains)
• FAQs of General Interest about fishing conditions, accommodations, travel, etc.