There was no drum roll, no hoopla

or fanfare - Just a faster heartbeat, as California
Angler Steve Woznaik, hooked a small coley on July 21st, 2010. Caught in the

midst of the cold waters of a Norwegien Fjord this seemingly

insignificant catch, marked the finale of his 10-year quest, to become

the first person to catch a thousand different species of fish.

Steve's quest began as a friendly challenge with a friend who had caught many

different species. However, the challenge soon turned into an obsession

- One that has cost him over $100,000 USD in cash and 200,000 hours in

time.

Among the thousand species he caught, were 33 varieties of sharks including

the extremely dangerous Mako shark and 14 species each of the Piranha

and the venomous Puffer

fish. His prey, most of which were released back into the ocean, ranged

from a 900lbs Shark to a tiny Minnow, which measured in at slightly

more than one inch.

It has not all been smooth sailing, for Steve has been injured several

times. He has stepped on the barbed spine of a Turkey fish, gotten his

fingers gnawed by a spiny Dogfish and, has experienced many a bloody

hand, trying to haul up some of his gigantic prey.

While Steve may not be as famous as his namesake, the
co-founder of Apple Inc.

he has become a celebrity in his own right - While pursuing this goal,

he has broken 12 International Game Fishing records and has five more

pending confirmation. He has also traveled to many exotic places, ones

he probably would have never thought of visiting otherwise.

What's next? While Steve wants to hang up his fishing rod for now, he just

can't seem to be able do so. Since breaking the world record, he has

continued his pursuit, adding eight new species, including a Sand Sole

that he recently hooked at home in Half

Moon Bay. Maybe he will stop when he gets to 2,000.