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Rare IGFA Photos from Michael Lerner’s Collection

A glimpse into some of the world's rarest fishing photos from one of the most famous anglers.
  • Updated: November 25, 2014
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 2

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 2

1938, Nova Scotia. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 3

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 3

Mako shark. Circa 1930s, Australia. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA.
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 4

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 4

Michael Lerner (left) and Clive Firth (center) using taxidermy to preserve fish. Firth was the first delegate of the IGFA. Firth served two terms as president of the Game Fishing Association of Australia. The idea for the IGFA came out of meetings in Australia between Firth and key members of a 1939 expedition of the American Museum of Natural History. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 5

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 5

The boat marked from Tocopilla, Chile, pulled in a giant swordfish out of the South American waters. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 6

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 6

Michael Lerner (back, left) pulls in a hefty blue marlin. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 7

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 7

Mako shark. Bimini, 1939. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos -11

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos -11

The Humboldt squid catch off South America. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos -12

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos -12

Michael Lerner (left) and Capt. Bill Hatch (right) pictured with their monster swordfish caught off Tocopilla, Chile in 1940. The weights of these giants were 630-pounds and 454-pounds. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 13

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 13

Mako. 1939, Bimini. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 23

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 23

Michael Lerner (middle) fishing a giant manta ray off South America (1940). _Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. _ Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 14

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 14

Michael Lerner pulled in a mola fish (sunfish). Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 15

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 15

Michael Lerner (far left) with a giant swordfish off Nova Scotian waters (1941). Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 16

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 16

Tiger shark aboard a 9-foot balsa wood raft in Peru. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 17

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 17

Shark on the line in South American waters in 1940. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 18

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 18

Michale and Helen Lerner off South America in 1940. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 19

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 19

Michael Lerner with a week’s catch of bluefin tuna off Wedgeport, Nova Scotia. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 20

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 20

Michael Lerner holds the estimated 8-foot bill of a swordfish as the crew pulls the monster into the boat. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 21

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 21

Michael Lerner and his team aboard Alone, which is out of Quogue, Long Island, pulled up a sizeable tiger shark in the waters of Peru. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos - 22

Rare Historical IGFA Fishing Photos – 22

Two swordfish caught by Michael and Helen Lerner off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia on the American Museum of Natural History Expedition. Tommy Gifford (far left) was Mr. Lerner’s guide for the trip, Larry Bagby (far right) was Mrs. Lerner’s guide for the trip. Mr. Lerner’s fish weight 195-pounds and Mrs. Lerner’s fish weighed 295-pounds. Part of Lerner’s research was to study fish that have never seen the light before — historical expeditions were and still are a centerpiece of the IGFA’s mission. Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA Photo Courtesy of E.K. Harry Library, IGFA
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