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by Steve "Starlo" Starling
Steve Starling is one of Australia's best known and most respected fishing and outdoor journalists. He has published in excess of 15 books on the subject of angling, as well as thousands of magazine articles, both here in Australia and overseas. In addition, Steve has scripted and presented many instructional videos and DVDs, and been a researcher and on-screen presenter for "Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures" and "The Great Outdoors", both on the Seven Network, as well as "The Australian Fishing Show" on Foxtel's Lifestyle Channel and the various "Hooked on Adventure" TV series, originally based in WA, but also later seen in the eastern states, via the PRIME Network, STQ-7 and 7 Central. More recently, Steve has hosted the last two AFC Outdoors Series of made-for-television bream and bass tournaments on Channel 10, and become a regular presenter of segments on Offshore Productions' popular Fishing DVD collection. Starlo is also an occasional guest on a many radio fishing chat shows, and a regular on Bonita Brown's "Big Fish", aired on ABC radio throughout the Illawarra region and southern NSW each Wednesday afternoon.
In 1987/88, Steve was the Editor of Bay Books' highly successful weekly part-work publication entitled Fishing Australia and also chief scriptwriter for the ABC television series "Go Fish Australia", hosted by the late John Meillon.
Not surprisingly, Steve's fishing and boating expertise and experience is extensive. He has cast a line in every state of Australia, as well more than a dozen other countries, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, The Solomons, Thailand, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada, Britain, the United States, Mexico and Japan.
My move from the Fishing World stable to the Modern Fishing camp came in 1986 and was driven primarily by financial considerations. I was finding it extremely difficult to feed, house and clothe a young family on the meagre earnings generated by my writing and photography. Modern editors, Horrobin and Booth, simply offered me more dollars per page. Pragmatism ruled.
When Vic officially retired from writing in 1993 —after an illustrious career stretching back to the ’50s — it was a huge and somewhat daunting privilege to be handed the “River and Sea” reins. It’s something I’ve never taken for granted; from my first appearance under that column head in September, 1993, right through to today. Writing this column each month is a heavy responsibility, but one I remain honoured to be entrusted with. I’d even like to hope I might stay healthy and motivated enough to give the column a full 20 years, too, before handing it on to some worthy recipient in 2013!