AFTER weeks of calm, hazy conditions ideal for fishing, June burst on the scene amidst bluster and high seas. Without a doubt this has had an adverse effect on angling, even keeping the professionals ashore and forcing the charter fleet to have to disappoint their would-be clients.

Very poor timing, indeed as the season's star attraction has now formally graced the limelight. The first blue marlin of the season was caught by none other than Capt. Allen DeSilva's last weekend. The fish, which was released, was estimated at around 400 pounds and that is typical of the early season fish here in Bermuda. The poor weather over the full moon meant that the marlin mad were unable to give the deep water a good working over but there can be no doubt that there are lots more out there and, with any luck, this will turn out to be a good year for marlin.

The hype about Bermuda blue marlin is nothing short of incredible and it seems to extend far beyond the local scene with any number of foreign boats wishing to put in a season or so here. There are already a number of confirmations for the Big Game Classic and there also seems to be some interest in the fledgling Triangle tournament. With the high level of interest and proposed effort, it is amazing that the duration of the marlin season is so brief, from June through August ? a mere 12 weeks or so. After all it is barely a month to the July 4th World Cup and only a further week to this year's Classic. While they can be caught outside of this timeframe, they are usually less abundant and the fishing emphasis shifts to wahoo and tuna.

With the emphasis on release, very few white marlin are ever landed and, as a consequence, little is said about them. There have been several hook-ups reported although no one actually seems to have caught one. Of course, now that the billfishermen will swing into action, a few more will be encountered and it is unfortunate that they are almost surely going to have to reckon with the 80 and 130-lb gear that prevents them from giving a spirited performance.

Chummers continue to have reasonably good action from yellowfin tuna on the Banks although they seem to move around quite a bit. It is therefore necessary to secure good intelligence prior to dropping the hook. Those specifically seeking yellowfin prefer to have the chum running out into the deep but there can be something to be gained from anchoring just inside the drop-off. This will not deter the tuna but will likely attract some of the smaller game fish including rainbow runner, jacks and robins. Although considered small game some of the jacks, in particular the amberjack can attain hefty sizes. Spinning tackle and lures can also add to the fun to be had from even rainbow runners in the four to six pound bracket. And you never know, sometimes a rainbow runner will take a live robin before a wahoo or tuna can get to it. A rainbow like that is well worth weighing and checking the record book. It happens more often than people think but is almost as frequently dismissed as unlikely.

Trollers are still taking wahoo but this has definitely been dropping off and after the spate of poor weather, the spring run might be said to be over. Concerted trolling effort throughout the summer will produce 'hoos but this can get expensive. Also as the season progresses, the barracuda steadily increase in numbers and there is something particularly depressing about having a barry take a bait that has been lovingly rigged in the hope of a wahoo.

It is just about that time of the year where the pattern seems to be troll the Edge, try for a marlin, troll the bank, drop the hook and chum for a few hours and then drag for a billfish on the way home. Occasionally subject to a bit of variation, this is the modus operandi for many anglers during the summer as they hope to maximise their chances of catching something. And, basically, it does work! One of the season's largest angling events failed to come off at the weekend. Although some might argue that Sunday was calm enough to fish, this was, in fact, a good call for a number of reasons. The blustery conditions on Friday and into Saturday had stirred up the offshore seas to the point it really was unfishable for small boaters. Although things did die down as Sunday approached, the offshore seas remained quite high. Add to this the fact that it was overcast and generally threatening; the weather did little to encourage the amateur sportsman. Let there be no mistake, this particular tournament draws a lot of support from people who are not normally part of the local sport fishing community. As such many are not overly familiar with the offshore scene and they frequently rely on following others out to find the Banks or other choice fishing spots.

Combine this lack of experience with dubious conditions and it could well be a recipe for disaster. In any event, it is early in the season and there are plenty of weekends ahead, most of which should be ideal for a tournament. On a final note, there was a heavy rain shower later on into Sunday afternoon and I don't think any of us would relish being the weigh masters in such conditions, not to mention what it would do to the spectators. Skipping a week in the hope of halcyon conditions, the Bacardi Rum Angling Tournament will now be fished on its alternate date, Sunday, June 13th.

This weekend sees a considerable amount of club angling action. Bermuda Anglers Club is holding its Annual Tournament and the Blue Waters Anglers Club has their Member/Guest tournament. These are primarily members only events so inquiries should be directed to those organisations. Although listed in the official Bermuda Game Fishing Association calendar as June 6th, there seems to be some degree of mystery surrounding the Spanish Point Tuna Tournament. As of mid-week, entry forms, etc. had not been made available and there was no information forthcoming.

When the weather moderates, there should be plenty of opportunities for angling of all sorts. The inshore waters that are accessible to land-bound fishers are home to grey snapper, grunts and jacks (including amberjack and bonita). Just offshore in the channel and reef areas it is prime time for snappers; with night time the best, especially if you know where to go. The sandy bottom areas are just waiting for light tackle anglers to try for palometa (pompano) and bonefish. And out on the deep blue briny, there is hardly any limit as to what denizen will provide the day's Tight lines!!!