Birth of the Blues- Marlins, that is!

Part 1 of 3

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]OW – Whatta Fish — that was my first words, as the Weighmaster hoisted the marlin by the tail and bill up on the scale.
The late Dale Thompson and I were attending the Grand Isle Rodeo in July 1958 and watching the many fish being weighed in. A large cabin cruiser, with a stern cockpit, backs into the dock, and tied across the stern, is the largest fish I have ever seen.

The yacht- Melou- owned by Jim Meriwether, was captained by Clyde Weeks with Brother Carleton as mate. The marlin is unloaded on the dock and hauled to the weight scale. After a tough time securing a line to this monster, the Weighmaster cries out- 463.8# – a Grand Isle Rodeo record. Dale and I couldn’t believe our eyes. Man, this fish- which we found out later to be a Blue Marlin- sparked our Anglers Appetite to find a way to try our luck landing one of these marlin.

This was the first marlin I was aware of. However on research, I learned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had assigned the “Oregon” to explore the Gulf for various species of gamefish, circa 1952. Sightings of marlin, white and blue were reported, also of tuna and many sharks. These species were taken by the long –line method and photos made of the fish brought aboard. These long-lines totaled almost eight miles, with 500 hooks spaced approximately 72 ft apart at a depth of 120 ft.

On three sets, there were 45 yellow fin tuna, 2 blue marlin, 13 white marlin, 1 sailfish and 3 mako sharks. The heaviest tuna was 180#, blue marlin about 500#, white marlin 85# and sailfish 51#.
For additional research, the Albacore of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, continued the search for both commercial and sports interests. Each new report for fishing the Big Game fish, off South and Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River, hastened Anglers to try their luck on tackling one of these “Monsters of the Deep.”

In October 1955, Capt. Bob Mitchelltree, off Barataria Pass, boated 4 sailfish aboard his charter boat – Jennifer Ann. Aboard was Ralph Bodman, Camille Cazedessus of Baton Rouge with the largest, 55#, Mrs. Jesse Mitcheltree 51#, and John Barton, 50#.

This sparked more interest in Big Game Fishing in the Gulf, for the following year, on an exploratory trip in June of ’56, aboard Bob Bob Norman’s yacht – KIWI- guest Paul Kalman, noted sports writer, landed a 52# white marlin.

Fishing heated up in June 1958, with Louisiana’s first Blue Marlin taken by rod and reel and boated by Dr. Glen Gibson of Baton Rouge, aboard Capt. Bob Mitcheltree’s – Jennifer Ann. Weight of 175# – 9’6” long.

Also on this charter – 25 bull dolphin and a 65# white marlin by Louis Albritton, a 90# white by Charles, a 61# white by Dr. Charles Beskin, plus a 7ft sailfish. This is considered a Clean Sweep – a Blue-a White- a Sailfish on the same day. There were a total of 134 strikes that day for billfish, with 5 boated. Not a bad day. This really increased Capt. Bob’s interest in specializing in Big Game Fishing.

Then the Big Blue of Jim Merriwether, taken during the 1958 Grand Isle Rodeo – 463.5#.

So- back to the start- of my interest in seeking out, fighting, and boating one of these monster fish.

The big game fishing off South Pass, Port Eads area, was starting to generate real interest in finding out more about this type of fishing. Capt. Bob Mitcheltree, out of Grande Isle was the first Charter Boat, to my knowledge, to really venture offshore and to learn the “how to” of landing these Monsters of the Deep.

So around 1957 he moved his charter operation to Port Eads, South Pass, to an old lighthouse station where he acquired a four room cottage, rumors are, from a retired Coast Guard Chief, who decided to move up-river. This became the River End Lodge, which offered sleeping accommodations in two rooms, with excellent breakfasts and dinners prepared by Capt Bob’s lovely wife, Ms. Jessie. The front dock on the River was the place to talk over the day’s hits, misses and landings, with a Night Tody before hitting the sack for the next day’s outing.

On Sept 29, 1958 – Bob Norman, aboard his KIWI, boated a 350# blue marlin. Fishing was picking up. In 1959- Capt Mitcheltree was booked with offshore charters from 15 May thru August. Minimum 2 days charters. Pick up in Venice, 22 miles upriver and return charter to Venice after the 2nd day. Over those months, they gaffed 3 blue marlin, 20 white marlin, 18 Sails, 108 yellowfin tuna, 239 dolphin.

Yes, Capt Mitcheltree was the Pioneer of Big Game Fishing, out of Port Eads, South Pass.

These stories really lit a fire in me and we chartered Capt. Mitcheltree in August 1959. This would be our first offshore venture. Our crew was Joe Giardina, my cousin and business partner in Prager Gear and Machine Company — J.B. Prager III and myself. We left N.O., met Capt. Mitchelltree in Venice and traveled down river 22 miles to South Pass, Port Eads and River’s End Lodge.
The next day- after a nice breakfast- we left on a SE course to try our luck. We did have successful days offshore, trolling the rip and raising and boating the first big game fish for us.
Yes, we were rewarded – J.B. landed the first billfish, a healthy 82# white marlin, followed by another white marlin – 68# by Joe. On the following day, a short one-for we were scheduled to return to Venice, I was rewarded with my first big game fish – a 128# yellowfin tuna.

Another highlight was sighting and following closely – not too closely- a whale whose 40ft length we were able to take in before the tail went up and he sounded. Yes, it was a wonderful charter for our First attempt at Big Game fishing.

This really lit a bigger fire, and J.B. and I chartered a Bertram in Miami to fish a White Marlin tournament in Bimini. Disappointment set in, for we went blank, not raising one billfish—WOW. Fishing sure seemed better out of South Pass, Port Eads. And a lot closer to home….
After stories of offshore billfish boatings appeared in the local papers, I said –

Why not a N.O. Big Game Fishing Club?

This was discussed over many toddy’s at River’s End Lodge dock on the River, after a great day offshore. Anglers and storytellers included the three Childress brothers, Bill, Al and Joe, also Lea Perez, General Ray Hufft, Clyde Hawk, Harley Howcott, Capt. Bob and old (young then) me!

Yes, much talk- but really no action, except offshore that day. I carried many tales home and thought about- why not? Why not try! – As a past President of the Dads Club and Cub Master at St. Pius X Church in Lake Vista, past Commodore of the N.O Power Boat Association and Region 9 Director of the American Power Boat Association, I had a fair idea of getting a Club off the ground- or rather out of the rip!

So, how can I successfully begin? I had seen and heard of Paul Kalman over the years and, as Commodore had met him at the Lakefront, when he was writing an article for Yachting Magazine on the N.O. Power Boat Association sponsored- Pan American Regatta, around 1955 or 56.

Paul had been one of the first offshore anglers when offshore Gulf of Mexico Fishing was initially started in July 1956. Paul and John Lauricella Sr. (Hank’s Dad) aboard his Dad’s yacht, the All American, were recorded to have boated the first two white marlin on rod & reel in the Gulf.

After this offshore venture, two years later- June 1958- Dr. Glenn Gibson of Baton Rouge landed the first blue marlin, 175#, while aboard the Jennifer Ann, captained by Bob Mitcheltree. A week later, the larger blue marlin was brought into Grand Isle by Jim Meriwether, 463.5#.

As mentioned in earlier article- this Meriwether Marlin is the one that caught my attention. Boy- there are fish like that off South Pass! This is a challenge. So, I joined the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club to learn how the “Reel” anglers fished and handled tournaments.

During the 1960 Christmas Season, I contacted Paul and asked if we might have a talk on Offshore Marlin Fishing and how we could promote this fishing with a Club Organization and how should we proceed.

Paul, as an outdoor writer and T.V. personality- came up with a list of names- which included the anglers that I had met at Rivers End Lodge mentioned earlier, and in addition- Dr. William Wagner, Jr, Dr. Don Peterson, Dr. Jim Burks and Richard Freeman.

So, with the list of potential members, I proceeded to send out invitations for our first proposed meeting, on May 5, 1961, at the N.O.A.C. Trophy Room. 33 men accepted the invitation and interest in a N.O.B.G.F.C. Of these 33, 21 men attended this initial meeting. (A limit of 50 members was set, and over the years, this has been amended several times.)

The Club was to require certain rules & regulations, and Paul and Harley Howcott were called upon, and accepted, the tough job of drafting the first set of angling rules.

In early 1962- the newly formed Club with the help and able assistance of many members, worked out a deal to have the use of a camp, or cottage, which had been vacated by the Coast Guard, when the South Pass Light Station went from “manned” to automatic operation.

The Parish installed fuel tanks in mid 1962, and the boat slips at the back of Port Eads’ front wharf were dredged to safely dock the fishing yachts out of the River and free of the passing ships’ wakes.

Off to a good start, the first Club tournament was on July 4 weekend in 1962. It was a great success with 90 anglers- 46 members, 44 guests, guests who were also potential members.

The Club in 1966 began scientific research and had on board a young graduate biologist- Joe Yurt- for measuring and examination of stomach contents of the day’s weigh-in fish: the early years, most fish were brought to scale, pictures taken, many by our Club Official Photographer, none other than hard working Paul Kalman and as stated above, scientifically used. Now, it is tag & release tournaments, with the exception of a Record or First Time Catch. This research was a cooperative Venture with the Club and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

Paul and Harley Howcott set the Angling Rules based on IGFA, the International Game Fish Association. Harley is the Board and Club member, responsible for all of the Scientific Data passed on to the U.S. Bureau of Sport and Wildlife. Their Scientists were studying the ocean current and Loop Current in the Gulf and migration habits of Marlin and Tuna off South Pass.

After 3 years of hard, but enjoyable work, the Club was off and running and today the members are now benefiting from the initial work of the Past, and also of the present Officers and Board of Directors.

I had the Honor to be the Club Angling Champion in 1963 and 1965. My son, Kurt, at age 19, followed as Club Angling Champion in 1979. (Kurt passed on unexpectedly and was buried, this July 15, 2011 at age 51.)

In 1989, I stepped down as President, after 30 years of fishing off Port Eads, Pensacola, Orange Beach, and Panama City. Wonderful years.

Why at the Helm so long, because I loved the Sea and the thrill of a Marlin tailing the bait like a White or crashing the bait like a Blue or Tuna.

Another main reason- I had the support of our Vice President, the tournament chairman, the Scientific Committee and a very excellent board of directors supporting me. Thanks to all the Gentlemen, so many no longer with us. They may be gone, but not forgotten.

They say- or call me- the Founder of the NOBGFC. Well, I may have had the idea and started it up, trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, but the late Paul Kalman was the “glue” that set it all in place. I consider Paul as Co-Founder and one Hell of a Friend and Sportsman, an excellent Photographer and Author of many articles for local and national sports publications.

All of the above mentioned members, along with Capt. Bob and Jessie Mitcheltree, owners of the yacht Jennifer Ann and Rivers End Lodge, and Capt. Happy Morse are now fishing the Big Rip in the Sky.

Joe Yurt, with 45 years of faithful service, is still with the club as Manager and Biologist, conducting studies in conjunction with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Many sons and daughters are new members. Paul Dennis Kalman and Joe Childress, Jr are prominent and active members. Sometime ago, they published a truly great book on the Club- “The Early Years”- now out of print. I hope one day it will be refurbished, for it tells many stories with pictures, for all to enjoy.

The Club’s facilities were “Lost” in Katrina- only facilities left standing- the Old Reliable Light Station at Port Eads. Hopefully, the Club, now operating out of Venice, will have new Quarters once again at Port Eads.

I wish President “Bo” Sanders- Club President, the Board and Members, and All Offshore Anglers, the very best. May all have many safe and wonderful years ahead, as we “Old Timers” enjoyed, oh, so many years ago. Thanks for your time. Be careful on the Water. Good luck- God Bless- keep a tight line and watch the backlash on the drop back!

By Herman “Dutch” Prager

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