KAILUA-KONA — It was a soiree that would have had Tyrion Lannister feeling right at home.
Hundreds of women dressed in “Game of Thrones” garb gathered at Huggo’s On The Rocks Friday night, getting together for the annual kickoff party of the Wahine Fishing Tournament.
The 23rd edition of the storied event — which is touted as the world’s largest ladies billfish tournament — begins today at 8 a.m. and will go to 4 p.m., with fish weigh-ins taking place at Honokohau Harbor.
A host of characters and creatures from HBO’s hit show made an appearance for the party. There were queens from all over Westeros, hordes of dragons and enough White Walkers to make an army of Wildlings nervous.
The tournament theme — which has varied in recent years from the Wild West to Disney and the Great Gatsby — proved to be a hit.
“I’m a big fan of ‘Game of Thrones,’” said Katrina Peterson, who along with her teammates showed up as a members of the Night King’s army of the dead. “We didn’t want to be something like a princess and say we sit in a tower all day. We want to kill it, so we went with the White Walkers.”
Teammate Elise Johnson chimed in with the group’s motto for the weekend saying, “We’re half-dead, or mostly dead, and ready to kill it.”
Tournament rookie Natalie Speggen admitted she has some episodes to catch up on, but showed up wearing a pair of giant wings as the dragon, Drogon. The costume didn’t make it the easiest to get around the packed venue, but it surely made a statement.
“It was go big or go home,” Speggen said. “People put in a lot of effort into the costumes. It’s really fun to be apart of.”
Speggen is no stranger to catching fish, but says she usually does it in the water spearfishing. It will be a different experience saying relatively dry on the boat, excluding the water fight that kicks off the morning in Kailua Bay.
“It will be interesting. I’ll have a reel in my hand instead of a spear,” she said. “I was told I’m not allowed to get in the water. Unless I see a whale shark — then I’m getting in the water.”
Speggen has a few experienced anglers on her team who delivered some sage advice — don’t enjoy the kickoff party too much.
”Our ringleader told us no drinking tonight — we don’t want any hangovers on the boat,” Speggen said. “I think it’s a good idea. I want to catch a huge marlin or 260-pound ahi. Either one will work.”
Last year went down as the slowest day of fishing in tournament history. However, there has been some excellent fishing so far this year in West Hawaii waters, so bites are expected to be a bit more plentiful.
But even if it turns out to be a tournament light on tight lines, the day on the water is never a bust.
“They told me I was going to put on a costume, have some drinks, possibly catch a fish and eat some really good food at the end of it,” Peterson said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Prizes are awarded for best decorated boat and best costumed team. The teams also compete for cash prizes, which are awarded to those reeling in the biggest fish in various categories.
The event leaves a lasting mark on the community as well, serving as a benefit for Family Support Hawaii. The tournament has rasied more than $150,000 for the organization, which strives to “support families and communities in providing love and care for our children.”
Check out the West Hawaii Today Facebook page for more photos and coverage when the tournament wraps up