The latest issue of BlueWater Magazine will hit newstands in the New Year (Jan 6) and for those eagerly anticipating my 2009 Cairns Season Recap (recapping on the season for the professional charter fleet), you’ll find it within. There are plenty of big fish photos included as well.

“Each year from September to December, the grounds between Cairns and Lizard Island, along the outer edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, provide your very best chance to catch a marlin of over 1000lb. The 2009 season was a good one for the professional charter fleet and many anglers caught the fish of their dreams.”

On a separate note I wanted to mention that while we were still up north, Dr. Julian Pepperell released his labour of love titled “Fishes of the Open Ocean” (and illustrated by Guy Harvey), perfect for your family fisherman’s Christmas stocking. Annie’s Books on Perergian has signed copies for sale at $59.95, also available online from various other retailers. I got my copy this week for a certain someone for Christmas and I can’t wait for Christmas Day for him to unwrap it again so I can have another (longer) look through!

We first met Julian many years ago when he was the head of the tagging program and travelled around to the different tournaments to promote it. He is now one of Australia’s best known marine biologists and a world-wide authority on large oceanic fishes. More recently been heavily involved in the pop-up satellite tags, collecting very valuable data from those. Julian has always maintained close contact and a great rapport with the fleet and we wish him the very best with the book!