Viljac shows good fly fishing has no age limit

My introduction to saltwater fly fishing came later than most ... and too soon for others.

Although my skills are nowhere close to a professional's, I do consider myself at least good. But I may never be as good as a young individual one-sixth my age: Mac Viljac, a fifth grader at Hilton Head Christian Academy.

Mac celebrated his 10th birthday with a trip July 23 to the Calibogue Sound for some fishing with his father, Thomas, and the owner of Off the Hook Charters, Brian Vaughn. The trio was fishing an area where a number of other boats already had claimed water rights but failed to notice the small school of jack crevalle just under the surface. Using a mullet fly and the sure tip of a Sage fly rod, the cast was made and soon the hour-long battle was on. The day produced blacktip and bonnet head shark, plus an 80-pound stingray.

But the 26-pound, 40-inch jack crevalle was the highlight of the day and was landed by young Mac.

According to Thomas, Mac has been fishing since he could walk, a great relationship between father and son was established early. Although he loves to fish, his favorite sport is karate. He trains at Sun & Moon Martial Arts Studio, holds an orange belt and is a top competitor in regional sparring competitions.

Apparently, he fights fish just fine, too.

Mac was a hard kid to track down for this story -- I got him by phone on the water in Dunnellan, Fla., where he was fishing with his grandfather. Through a cell phone contact, he imparted this advice: "Keep fishing, and you will catch something."

That's odd -- that is exactly what I have been trying to get across to my readers for years.

ODDITIES FROM THE SEA

Charter boat captain Waldo Phinney of Sea Wolf Charters said a recent trip resulted in an odd catch.

Wally and crew hooked and landed a 72-inch sailfish from structure around Beaufort 45, an area not known for sailfish. Wally said the 45-minute battle was one he relished but hated to land.

As it turned out, the sail was missing its beak and with the hook deeply embedded, the fish would not have survived. Wally is an advocate of catch-and-release fishing and promotes safety above all else in his charters.

RECORD SET AT TOURNEY

During the Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament, 22-year-old Ryan Riggs of Wando took home more than expected -- a 77.5-pound dolphin that measured out at 65 inches. The new record exceeds the one set by William Etheredge of Columbia, a mark that stood for 14 years. The catch was taken from the "Daymaker" owned by Mark Daniels with captain Jay Weaver manning the helm.

"Daymaker" also took top honors for Outstanding Billfish Boat during the final event of the S.C. Governor's Cup Series. Releasing seven billfish and earning 1,400 points, "Daymaker" was awarded Outstanding Billfish Conservationist, as well, along with Outstanding Dolphin and Wahoo honors. Both of those fish were caught by Riggs.

Second place was awarded to "Heavy Iron," owned by Gregg Malphrus of Ridgeland, with captain Trey "Cricket" McMillan. "Heavy Iron" released six sailfish.

Unofficial overall point standings after the final event at Bohicket for the 20th annual S.C. Governor's Cup Billfish Series: "Cerveza" 4,275 points; "Roulette" and "Daymaker" 3,775; "Rascal" 3,375; "Houdini" 2,475; "Petrel" 2,075; "NOFA" 1,875; "Miss Wy IV" 1,675; "Benchmark" 1,475; and "Evans B" 1,475.