On reflection I can now look back and say what happened in Madeira was either a strange collective of coincidences or some real magic actually happened

It was with great excitement when I stepped off the plane and set foot on the island, I intentionally took my first long deep breath of fresh Atlantic air and thought “ please let this be my lucky year” I had spent the last 12 months mentally recalling the events from my first visit to Madeira last summer.

To cut the first part of this story short:
In 2008 I was invited by my friend Oliver king to try my hand at Blue marlin fishing, well let me tell you that the first thing that went through my mind was “cost”. I had always been under the impression that this was a sport that only the rich and famous could afford, a misconception on my behalf.
Our charter of M.Y BALANCAL for some reason deemed unfruitful for me as my  first Marlin  was lost. leaving me sat in the chair wondering what the hell did I do wrong?

This is where the Magic starts:
I had to time everything right, my children were going to join me this year and Ollie was yet to arrive.
On the morning of june 14th  with everyone onboard Balancal we all set off, with my hopes dashed and my expectations not so high as we had previously experienced some heavy un-seasonal rain. It was at this point that Ollie told me he had cleared it with Anibal our captain, that he could wire his first Marlin if we were to be lucky.

I looked at the dirty water and turned to Ollie with a frown, he said “don’t worry, It may be a good sign”
Ten minutes later I was in the galley when some almighty foot stomping and shouting came from the bridge, we had raised a marlin which I missed, “typical” I thought, so I sat to eat my lunch. Five minutes later all hell broke lose as a bigger fish this time was on.

Like a well rehearsed play, all actors took their place on stage,” this was it” I thought as I sat in the chair with my first Marlin hooked, little did I know that my battle had just began.
With cameras clicking and advice from crew (Ollie and Mathew) and our guest (jody a.k.a Albatross from Kenya)  I swore, toiled and eventually came to realize,  this fish had strength I could not have comprehended. After around fifty minutes we eventually see the size of the fish for the first time as she comes up within a 15 meters off the boat, All I remember are some choice words from behind me as all realize just how big she is.

After another forty  minutes with Ollie wiring his first Marlin and me being told I had caught my First Marlin estimated to be over 1000lbs (A Grander) and all on board to witness it, I paused and thought
“ THAT WAS MAGICAL”