🔥 Trending John 'Stinker' Clarke: The Fisherman Rescued Off Port Stephens

John "Stinker" Clarke is a well-known 77-year-old Australian fishing correspondent, educator, and local identity, particularly in the Port Stephens and Newcastle regions of New South Wales ¹²⁷. He is widely recognized for his contributions to fishing, including his long-standing column "Somethin' Fishy" in the Port Stephens Examiner newspaper, which he has maintained for 25 years ⁸.

Background and Career

Clarke's career spans several fields:

• Education: He was the school captain at Tweed River High School in 1966 and went on to earn a Diploma of Physical Education from Wollongong Teachers College. He furthered his studies with a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Western Australia in 1974 ³. He served as a Physical Education teacher, including at Nelson Bay High School ⁸.
• Fishing Expert: Clarke is an ABC fishing correspondent and has gathered extensive tips, tales, and fishing techniques over 35 years ¹⁸. His expertise has made him a beloved figure in the fishing community ⁶.
• Local Personality: Known locally as "Stinker," he has a significant presence in the Port Stephens area, often referred to as a "fishing legend" ²⁶.

Recent Incident and Rescue

Clarke gained significant media attention in late June 2026 after a dramatic rescue incident ¹²⁵.

• Capsized Boat: On June 25, 2026, his boat capsized and was smashed against rocks in Fingal Bay, north of Newcastle ¹.
• Survival: He survived for up to five hours in rough seas by clinging to a life jacket, an oar, and a plastic bucket ²⁵⁶.
• Rescue: Emergency crews rescued him off the coast of Port Stephens, and he was subsequently flown to a hospital ¹⁷.
• Reunion: Following the incident, Clarke was reunited with the rescue teams who saved his life, expressing his gratitude for their efforts ²⁴⁵.