The Northwest Airline pilot's strike is a subject I never thought I would be taking up in this column, but then I got an emergency call from one of the Big Island's most avid anglers.

Her name is Kay Kolt, an airline flight attendant by trade, and the organizer of the Flying Fishing Freaks Tournament in Kailua-Kona. With her sixth annual airline industry tournament scheduled for next week (September 14, 15, and 16), she was getting a bit panicked because she had so few entries.

"I had been expecting between 20 and 25 teams," Kolt said. "But that was before the Northwest strike. I think many of the Northwest employees think the tournament is canceled because of the strike."

Well, to any airline workers (and their friends) out there, the Flying Fishing Freaks Tournament is still accepting entries. And it offers one of the most inexpensive, fun-filled contests you can enter.

For just a $150 entry fee and a $200 charter boat rate per person, the tournament features two days of fishing off the world-famous Kona Coast and three evenings of parties: "grog and grub" at the Keauhou-Kona Yacht Club, a "pupu party" at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club in Honokohau Harbor, and an awards "luau" at the HBGFC.

Kolt has even arranged a discount rate at the Royal Kona Resort Hotel of $59 per night.

Teams for each boat can be made up of a maximum of four anglers, and only one is required to be an airline employee.

Also, no experience or equipment is required to fish in her tournament because each boat is fully outfitted and crewed by professional anglers.

So, if you're not flying, why not make a last-minute entry in the Flying Fishing Freaks Tournament and take a few friends with you. Call Kolt at (808) 325-6432. To make a reservation at the Royal Kona Resort Hotel, call 1-800-774-5662.