NEIL PATRICK WINS GILL KEECHAWARD
Neil Patrick, one of Australia’s best known marlin fishermen and chairman ofHalco Tackle, was recently recognisedfor outstanding angling achievement at the recent International Game FishingAssociation (IGFA) annual dinner and auction in Florida.
He was presented with the prestigious GillKeech Heavy Tackle Award for the capture and release of a huge black marlinwhile fishing off the coast of Panama.Only one such award is made each year and it has been won before by twoAustralians, Bob Lowe and Peter Bristow.
With a wealth of experience behind him,Neil knew when he first saw the big black that he was hooked up on a potentialnew world record in the 50lb tackle class. A fish of that magnitude issomething of a holy grail to serious marlin fishermen, securing for the anglera place in game fishing history.
Instead of playing the fight out to itsultimate conclusion on the weigh station gantry, Neil chose to get the fish tothe boat as quickly as possible, resulting in the successful placement of asonic research tag and release of the fish.
Neil’s passion for game fishing goes waybeyond skin deep. He is an IGFA board member, co-chair of the IGFA FisheriesConservation Committee and past president of the Game Fishing Association ofAustralia. He is a heavy tackle billfish specialist and has fished all over theworld for giant blue and black marlin, fighting 1000lb fish in the Pacific,Indian and Atlantic oceans.
After buying the relatively unknown smalllure maker Halco Tackle in the 1980s, Neil transformed the company into aninternationally successful developer and manufacturer of world class fishinglures which currently exports to over 70 countries.
Phone: (08) 9430 5080
Fax: (08)9430 5085
28/7/2011
