Farewell to fishing legend

THE memorial service for former Commodore Clive Payton will be held at the Richards Bay Ski-boat Club at 10am on Saturday.

Although he had a long and successful career in the motor industry, including 25 years with the McCarthy Group, Clive will be best remembered for his sporting achievements, especially on the local and national angling front.

Clive attended St Aiden’s College in Grahamstown, where he excelled in lifesaving, going on to compete regularly for the Durban Lifesaving Club in later years.

After moving inland, Clive joined the Pretoria Ski-boat club and among others made his mark with a Yellowfin tuna of 154kg caught in Mauritius.

He captained the Bottomfish team in inter-provincials and introduced the first Indian Ocean Classic Competition, which still exists 18 years later.

Clive received 13 Northern Transvaal angling caps before retiring to Zululand, initially to Hluhluwe where he owned a house, and then to Richards Bay.

His passion for fishing saw him organising many competitions including the annual Easter Bonanza.

As Chairman of the Richards Bay Ski-boat Club, he was instrumental in building it to where it is today – one of the best in the country.

During his last years as Commodore of the Richards Bay Ski-boat Club, Clive brought the international FIPS (Fédération Internationale de Pêche Sportive) competition to the Bay.

An excellent administrator, responsible for establishing Zululand as province separate from Natal Deep Sea Fishing, Clive received numerous awards and accolades, including Honorary Life Membership of the Zululand Deep Sea Angling Association.

Clive will be sorely missed by his wife Joan, children, grandchildren, the angling fraternity and his many friends.

‘Always so loving, thoughtful and kind, what beautiful memories you leave behind. You may have left this world behind, but you will never leave our hearts and mind,’ was their message.

Clive’s ashes will be scattered at sea following the short memorial on Saturday.