A Kerikeri "extreme" fisherman could well be New Zealand's answer to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, thanks to a new Discovery Channel series to screen this year.
Matt Watson, who appears on the ITM Fishing Show, has signed on for a series of hour-long episodes featuring his fishing stunts- one of which became a worldwide hit on YouTube last year.
Footage of Watson jumping from a helicopter into the sea to catch a marlin in his bare hands was spotted by the producers of American talk show The Late Show with David Letterman.
Watson appeared on the show last week, with wife Kaylene watching from backstage, where he revealed details of the global series.
Sitting opposite Letterman wearing black shorts and Huffer T-shirt, he said catching marlin was the "Holy Grail for anglers the world over". But it's not his prowess with the rod and reel that's caught the attention of the overseas networks.
Watson has swum among sharks with fish strapped to his chest, caught a marlin off a jetski and this summer plans to hook one from his surfboard.
"It's not til it's over and I watch it, or my wife watches it and growls at me, that I go 'maybe it was a bit dangerous'," he told Campbell Live this week.
Kaylene Watson said her husband was just a typical Kiwi guy, which his Letterman appearance showed.
"Before we left for New York he told me he was going to wear shorts on the show. I said he couldn't because all the other guests wore suits and designer dresses. But he said ... this is who I am and this is how I am going to go."
