b'Historically, game fishingto be invited to fish the Whanganella Banks, again just 6 months after more has been a sport longmajor surgery. I personally caught 12 dominated by men.Butstriped marlin over 3 days fishing, a feat I would have never ever have thought looking around at thepossible. I hope my story inspires any prizegiving for our recentwomen out there lacking the confidence to give it a go. If I could do it then you ladies tournament held on ancan too!early February-weekend and PIONEER WOMENthe enthusiasm and passionThere are some amazing pioneers to for the sport was so evident. the sport in Godzone and one lady that inspired me is Jill Grey, whose father The movement of womenwas a founder of big game fishing in into fishing is undoubtedly atTauranga. Jill grew up with fishing in her T he growth of theJill Grey is a Kiwi pioneer ladiesblood. Her first game fish was a 390lb an all-time high. mako shark. She was one of only three women in the fishing charter business in the early 1970s, skippering her fathers ladies tournamentsangler, here with her 390lb mako. boat Rarangi.held by fishing clubs has led many new anglers to the fun and exhilaration that comes from catching game fish.Women have proven time and again that game fishing is not so much to do with size and strength. Whilst men often try to use brute power and speed, the fight of a gigantic fish by a woman often comes down to a more instinctive experience, focusing on technique, communication and drawing on mental energy. Using our skills, patience, determination, and our attitudes are all utilised to land a big fish.Im living proof of that.PINK RIBBON MARLIN LADYThree years ago, and just six months after a year of grueling treatment for breast cancer, I landed my first marlin - a 220.4 kg blue marlin, in Waihau Bay. It was an incredible feeling of achievement, especially when I was understandably not in peak physical condition, and it was a turning point in my recovery back from cancer.Four days later I landed a 110kg striped marlin, taking out the ladies category for the Tauranga One Base Tournament.Gaining the title of Pink Ribbon Marlin Lady, several articles followed, and I marked the occasion by getting a tattoo of a pink ribbon intertwined with a marlin, a symbol of the beasts I haveKristen got a marlin and pink fought and conquered. ribbon tattoo after beating In January last year I was lucky enoughthe marlin and cancer. /FISHINGINGODZONE35'