Putting Bite On Shark
Fly-fishing
Catching a 220-pound tiger shark with any kind of fishing tackle is a feat, but catching one with a fly rod has happened only once.
On Jan. 23, Gary Spence, 29, of Miami, boated the potential worldrecord shark in a finger channel west of Key West, Fla., becoming only the second angler to catch a tiger shark on fly.
Spence has submitted the catch to the International Gamefish Association in the 20-pound tippetfly rod category. The only tiger shark entry in the fly rod world-record book is a 61-pounder caught on 16-pound tippet in 1992.
Spence has been trying for a worldrecord tiger shark on fly for about four years, losing several possible contenders when they slipped off 8-foot gaff hooks used to boat them.
Spence cast about 20 minutes with a 15-weight fly rod and a large white streamer to entice the shark. He hooked the toothy predator in the corner of the jaw to prevent it from biting through the flimsy leader. After 30 minutes, he was able to reel it to boat-side, where Spence said the fight began in earnest.
“The guide got a shot at him with a straight gaff - no rope, no nothing,” Spence recounted. “He hit the shark once. I set the rod down and came with another gaff to hit the shark. He went pretty crazy. He was cracking me in the head with his tail like a windshield wiper. The tail hit me in the knuckles and shredded all the skin off.”
xxxx Know your wildflowers The Washington Native Plant Society is offering another wildflower identification course through the Spokane Falls Community College Institute of Extended Learning. Course is geared to beginners, but is a good review for the experienced. Class runs evenings on six Wednesdays beginning April 19 at North Central High School. Info: 467-8895 or 535-7013.