“IVAN AND THE YANK”
OF ALL the sharks that haunt our seas, the mako is most legendary of all. Huge, powerful and ultra rare, fewer than 100 have ever been caught from British waters. The following tale, taken from the new book MAKO!, concerns a wildly unlikely encounter, as told by Looe skipper, Ivan Chaston, from back in the summer of 1963...
I’d clocked this fella who was was obviously interested in a trip, but seemed hesitant. So, I set about shaking the ‘rubby-dubby bag’ to lure him in. “You’re interested in a trip, sir?” I asked.
“Is it that obvious?” he replied with a thick American accent. “Oh yes, sir. I know a fearless adventurer when I see one!” That seemed to do the job! My new American friend let out a nervous laugh, before asking the usual questions.
“Will I need a life jacket?” “Only if you fall in, sir.” “What kind of sharks do you usually catch, then?”
“Oh, all kinds! There’s blues, porbeagles… and for my very best customers, perhaps even a mako.”
“Makos!” He gasped. “I’ve heard of them. Terrifying things!”
“Oh yes sir, they’re spectacular. Sign your name in my little book and I’ll take you out specially to catch one.” Now this chap seemed like a nice fella, but the chances of him actually catching a mako were slim to none! I’d never even hooked one in all the years I’d fished, but I wasn’t about to tell my new friend that. The next morning, there was a decent wind blowing as we set off with four shark anglers, including the American. I kept them busy by asking them to keep a watchful eye out for any signs of activity.
“Look out for warm water!” I ordered.
“How can we recognise it?” came the mystified response.
“Steam will be rising off it! But if you see a penguin, let me know, because that means we’re heading the wrong way!”
Sixteen miles out, I idled the engines, and asked the American to pass me the bucket. I filled it over the side, dipped my hands and faked a shiver, before tellin’ them: “It’s too b****y cold!”
I pushed on another few minutes before suggesting we test the temperature again, but this time dragged the bucket through the water by the hot exhaust outlet!
“That’s much better! We’ve found the hot spot.” I told them. Everyone ran over to check for themselves.
“Be ready, the time for a mako is coming. I reckon one’ll be here about quarter past one!”
After that, the American asked awkwardly if there was a toilet on board – and I saw an opportunity to wind him up. I tied the tin bucket to the hook and lowered it over the side. Line then pulled from the reel and as the guy was still doing his business I shouted: “Hurry up sir, you’ve got a shark on!” He finished up, shot over and picked the ro
