HOT News from the IGFA - May 2007

By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

Eighth annual IGFA Offshore World Championship  begins

It’s been  called the most prestigious catch-and-release billfish tournament in the world  as anglers on 64 teams from some 30 countries on six continents gather in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, May 20 – 25,  to compete over four days in the eighth annual IGFA Offshore World  Championship. “The diversity of  countries has increased each year as have the skill levels of the anglers and  teams who are competing,” said IGFA OWC Tournament Director Mike Myatt from Mexico.

The teams  previously qualified by winning one of 132 IGFA sanctioned tournaments held in  40 countries worldwide during 2006.It’s the single  largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing  competition converging in one of the world’s most prolific billfish regions.

A total of 17 teams are  registered from the United States. Three more teams are past Rolex/IGFA  champions including defending back-to-back 2005 and 2006 winners Tom Schramm of Roselle, Ill., fellow Chicago-land teammate Scott Segal, Libertyville, Ill., and Ray Rosher of Miami, Florida.

There will be 46 teams representing  tournaments in the countries and territories of Angola (3), Australia (3), the  Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda (2), Brazil (2), Canada (2), Costa Rica (2), England,  Italy (4), Jamaica (2), Kenya (2), Kingdom of Tonga, Mexico (5), New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, St. Lucia, Senegal, Spain  (3), Sultanate of Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Vanuatu and  Venezuela.

Anglers on a number of  teams have come from additional countries such asHolland, Singapore, the Canary Islands and Ireland.

Each day the  teams will fish on a different boat; all guided by local Cabo captains, for  marlin, sailfish and other billfish species. The top team will win engraved  watches along with trophies and merchandise.  Awards are presented through to the third place finishing team.

Sponsors and partners for the IGFA Offshore  World Championship are Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, Costa Del  Mar, Hotel Finisterra, Momoi, Guy Harvey, Inc., Mold Craft  Products, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, Outdoor Channel, K  D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Shimano, Hook & Tackle, Murray Products,  AFTCO Bluewater, Bodo Muche, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Stidd Systems, Corona  and Modelo S.A. de C.V. Mexico, Trans Cabo Group, API Dock, Daiichi, Minerva’s  Baja Tackle, Pisces Fleet Sportfishing and UltraJewels.

Updated information and  a listing of the registered teams can be found on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home  page by clicking on “tournaments.”

Each morning the daily  results along with photos of the previous day’s round will be posted on the  IGFA’s home page.

Shimano, anglers honored at IGFA  World Record Achievement Awards

With  over 3,000 world records caught on its gear, Shimano was honored with the  International Game Fish Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the IGFA’s  Fourth Annual World Record Achievement Awards celebration, April 28th. The  ceremony was held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.

Other tackle, lure and line  manufacturers were honored based on the number of records their products set in  2006. The event also recognized the 2006 records by men, women, juniors, and professional  captains for the most world records recently published in the IGFA’s 2007 World  Record Game Fishes book.

In accepting the IGFA’s Lifetime Achievement  Award, Robby Gant, Sr. Brand Manager  for Shimano said, “It just amazes me that anglers have caught more than 3,000  IGFA world records using our rods and reels.  I really look forward to sharing this with everyone at Shimano in Irvine, California, and with our board of  directors and management on my next trip to our offices in Japan.”

Shimano led among the manufacturers  of rods and reels receiving firsts in three categories including saltwater  reels used in world records (153) and reels used in freshwater records (88).  They also took top honors for their rods with saltwater (23) world records and  tied for second (12) with freshwater rods.

Also highlighting this  year’s ceremony was Dr. Martin Arostegui, Coral Gables, Fla., USA, for his  astonishing world records and who for the third year in a row, scored a grand  slam as the top male angler for the most world records in freshwater (24), fly  (24) and tied for first for saltwater records (11) caught in 2006. In 2005 Arostegui  was presented the IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award for over 100 world  records. The retired emergency room  physician was also acknowledged for just receiving his 200th world record, the  first person ever to reach that milestone.

For the second year in a  row Ms. Jodie L. Johnson, Peterborough, N.H., USA, was named the top female angler with 27 new  records in saltwater and 26 in fly.

Johnson, who raises and trains  hunter and jumper horses said she began fishing only five years ago taking up  the sport to spend more time with her boyfriend. It was half way around the  world that she learned about the IGFA from a South African guide while fishing  in the Seychelles. It was only two years ago she took up the  challenge of going after record fish and is now approaching over 60 world  records all on fly.

Among junior anglers Heather Harkavy, Coral Springs, Fla., USA, in the smallfry  division led all juniors capturing 10 records.

Capt. Bobby  McGuiness of Golfito, Costa Rica led all guides with 25  world records.

Eye-catching hand-carved wooden trophies  in the shape of hooks sculpted by David  Wirth were presented to the top winner by IGFA President Rob Kramer.

(For  the complete story and winners list from the IGFA WRAA please see the IGFA web  site www.igfa.org - home page: “Latest News”)

Arostegui first to reach 200 IGFA  World Records

Dr.  Martin Arostegui, Coral Gables, Fla., USA, has become the first  angler to reach the International Game Fish Association milestone of 200 world records.

The news came on the eve of the  IGFA’s World Record Achievement Awards banquet where ironically he was  receiving his third consecutive grand slam as the top male angler for the most  world records in freshwater (24), fly (24) and tied for first for saltwater  records (11) caught in 2006.

“Dr. Arostegui’s accomplishment of  achieving 200 world records is truly a remarkable feat,” said IGFA President Rob Kramer. “Through careful planning,  detailed preparation and steadfast perseverance, he has taken world record game  fishing to an all time high.”

Arostegui surpassed Herb Ratner, Greensburg, Pa., who retired from the  intense pursuit with 181 world records. Through it all he’s also helped set the  standards for fish conservation catching, documenting, photographing and then  safely releasing over 90% of the fish.

Last year he received  international attention from the news media for his largest fish, a 385 lb  lemon shark caught on fly off Key West, Fla., USA.

Into the hour long fight, as he  muscled the fish next to the boat, Arostegui said the dangerous and toothy  shark attacked the hull of Capt. Ralph  Delph’s 29’ craft.

“When it opened its huge mouth, I  said to myself this shark could eat half of me in one bite,” joked the retired  emergency room doctor who stands 5 ft. tall and weighs 125 lbs.

Caught on 12 lb tippet which over-tested at the IGFA world records lab  by one pound the record was moved up to 16 lb tippet, but it was still the  largest fish ever caught on fly.

The year before Arostegui caught a  247 lb lemon shark on 8 lb tippet, another record that he believes will  probably be in the record books for a long time.

Over this decade Arostegui began  traveling the world catching some obscure, unusual and frankly “ugly” fish such  as the giant snakehead in Malaysia; the prehistoric giant  trahira in Suriname with sharp canine-like  teeth, fly-fished the deep-waters of Alaska for yellow eyed  rockfish, and targeted alligator gar in Texas.

“Some of my friends make fun of me  for catching all these weird fish,” smiled Arostegui. “Most of my buddies’  primary focus is the snook and tarpon. I’ve caught a lot of those and like  catching them. But after catching so many I said I need to find new challenges  and weird things to learn about. I kind of have a challenge of catching them on  a fly rod.”

(For the complete  feature story with photos of Marty Arostegui’s 200 world record achievement please  see the IGFA web site www.igfa.org - home page: “Latest News”)

May Hot Catches

Here are the monthly highlights from  the world records department of the International Game Fish Association of  selected documented fish catches made across the globe submitted for world  records. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Reynolds-Wright provided  the following information on these recent submissions of eleven potential  records before the world records committee.

A  potential new all tackle record may be issued to Tony Stuart of Cornwall, England, who while  fishing in Phucket, Thailand, landed and documented his catch of a yellowtail surgeonfish ( Acanthurus xanthopterus) weighing .93 kg ( 2 lb 1  oz). (Photo: yellowtail surgeonfish - 07030057)

Cheryl Duncan, Costa Mesa, California,  USA, may have broken a 30 year old IGFA record after catching a Pacific bonito  ( Sara chiliensis lineolatus) weighing 3.62 kg (8 lb 0  oz ) on 03 kg (6 lb) class line off Punta Bunda, Baja, Mexico. She was trolling a lure and it took her 15  minutes to land the fish. The current  mark is 6 lb 0 oz recorded February 13, 1976. (Photo: Pacific bonito - 07030058)

Murdo Gunn, nearly tripled the  current world record for a meagre ( Argyrosomus,  spp) he landed while bait fishing in Strusbaai, South Africa. It took the Alloway, Scotland angler 15 minutes to  land the fish which weighed 41.40 kg (91 lb 4 oz) using 27 kg (80 lb) class  line. The current IGFA record is 33 lb 1 oz caught July   31, 2005. (Photo: meager - 07030072)

A  day trip for Dr. Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, Va. USA brought nice results when  she landed a tautog ( Tautoga onitus)  in 10 minutes, weighing 7.08 kg (15 lb 10 oz) on 04 kg (8 lb) line  class. She was bottom fishing a wreck off the coast of Virginia Beach. The current IGFA record  is 10 lb 4 oz recorded June 11, 1988 (Photo: tautog –  07040000)

Another  angler that found bottom fishing productive though a little further away from  home was William Earl Donnell Jr., Davie, Florida, USA, who landed a swai catfish ( Pangasius hypophtalmus) in 10 minutes weighing 17.70 kg (39 lb 0  oz). He was fishing Thailand’s Bung Sam Lan Lake. He’s applied for the  current all tackle record 37 lb 7 oz 4/29/05. (Photo: swai catfish – 07040006)

Ten  year old Jonluc Proud, of Warwichshire, England, landed  a zander ( Sander lucioperca) weighing  1.13 kg (2 lb 8 oz) while bait fishing Grand Union Canal, England. He hopes to  fill the vacant male smallfry category. (Photo: zander – 07040004)

While  fly fishing Ichikawa, Hyogo, Japan , Masahiro Oomori, of Hyogo, landed a snakehead ( Channa spp.) weighing 9.55 kg (12 lb 4  oz). The current IGFA record for 4 kg (8 lb) tippet is 9 lb 15 oz. (Photo: snakehead – 07040014)

It  took Dr. George Bogen three minutes  to bring in an unusual catch of a false jacopever (Sebastes capensis) that may produce an all new all-tackle record  at .94 kg (2 lb 1 oz). The Los Angeles, California, USA man made the catch while  drift fishing in Hout Bay, South Africa. (Photo: false jacopever  – 07040018)

Another  potential new all tackle record may be  in the hands of Deborah S. Krick, Rigby, Idaho, USA. She landed a Utah chub ( Gila altraria) weighing .56 kg (1 lb 4  oz) while fishing with a night crawler on the Snake River, Idaho. (Photo: Utah chub – 07040019)

Drift  fishing offshore Pompano Beach, Fla., USA, Douglas , R.  Eilertson,  of Akron, Ohio, USA, landed a king mackerel  ( Scomberomorus cavalla) in 20 minutes  weighing 34.01 kg (75 lb 0 oz). The catch could possibly tie the current M-15  kg (30 lb) line class caught May 22, 1966. (Photo: king mackerel - 07040032)

A vacant line in the IGFA World Record  Game Fishes Book may have an entry after the catch of an arawana ( Osteoglossum  bicirrhosum) by Dr. Gilberto  Fernandes, Mao, Amazon, Brazil. He landed the fish  weighing 2.88 kg (6 lb 6 oz) in 10 minutes on 01 kg (2 lb) line class, fishing Puraquequara Lake, Amazon, Brazil. (Photo: arawana – 07040036)

The IGFA Inshore World Championship  increases with qualifying tournaments in fifth continent

As the lineup of pre-registered  anglers continues to grow for the upcoming seventh annual IGFA Inshore World  Championship this summer, the list of qualifying tournaments has also increased  with new qualifying sanctioned tournaments for 2008 in Europe.

Sweden becomes the second  country on the continent that has added a qualifier with The Pike Challenge,  June 8 - 10in Ornskoldsvik.  Tournament director Johan Petterssonsaid  the event will be an all release contest for Northern pike, bringing to nearly  60 tournaments on five continents that are qualifiers for the popular fly and  light tackle IWC competition.

A Redbone tournament, the A.C.A. Red Dragon Redbone in Wales , United Kingdom , June 12-14 fishing for Atlantic salmon, German brown  and rainbow trout, was added earlier this year.

“The interest is growing among tournament  directors worldwide wanting to become an IGFA sanctioned qualifying event. It’s  a prestigious element to their tournament for the winners to receive  invitations to this world class competition,” said IGFA IWC tournament  coordinator Denise Hartman.

“Besides the tournaments here in North America which includes events in  the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico, we also have qualifying  tournaments in Uganda, Africa; the Northern Territory  of Australia and Brazil, South America,”

This year’s “super bowl” of light tackle  and fly fishing will take place July 8 – 11.  For the seventh straight year Islamorada, Florida, USA, will be the  location for the three-day catch-and-release championship event.

Some 30 winners or top tournament  designates of over 50IGFA qualifying tournaments held around the globe in  2006 have already signed on to compete in the championship. Each will draw for  a different Keys guidefishing fortarpon, bonefish, permit, snook  andredfish.

For the latest details, go to the  IGFA web site at www.igfa.org and select the fishing tab  on the home page and click on “tournaments.” For questions regarding the IGFA  IWC, contact Ms. Hartman at 954-927-2628 or dhartman@igfa.org

The IGFA to  host 2008 World Recreational Fishing Conference

Representatives from around the  globe will next year be hosted by the International Game Fish Association  Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum at the 2008 World Recreational Fishing Conference  (WRFC).

The conference will be  held Nov.10th – Nov. 13th.

According to IGFA Conservation  Director Jason Schratwieser, the  purpose of the WRFC is to provide an international forum for the recreational  fishing community.

“The conference will target the  tackle industry, angling tourism, as well as representatives from non  governmental organizations and fisheries science and management. Topics will  include historical and recent trends in participation, emerging fisheries,  recreational fisheries science and management, socioeconomics, and catch and  release.”

Full details and the WRFC website  are forthcoming. For information on the  conference or sponsorship opportunities email Schratwieser or Emily Collins at wrfc@igfa.org.

IGFA Volunteer to be honored

Dan  Rowlands an IGFA volunteer since the spring of 1999 will be honored May  23rd at the Volunteer Broward’s Heart of the Community Event, Broward Convention Center.

After retiring Rowlands came to the  IGFA to volunteer his time, said IGFA Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Arb.

“Each Thursday over those nine years  he has tied knots, operated the fishing simulators, guided tours, fixed  displays, trained new volunteers, and shared the joys of sport fishing  with IGFA Hall of Fame and Museum visitors, alwayswith absolute patience  and kindness. His dedication and perseverance though the years has truly  stood out amongst our senior volunteers,” she added.

Rowlands will be featured among  hundreds of other Broward County volunteers for their  outstanding dedication to their organizations.  The ceremony begins at 6 p.m.

For more information, please contact Ms. Arb at 954-924-4340 or email: jarb@igfa.org.

IGFA Education Department hosts numerous  events

This spring the IGFA Education  Department conducted a wetlands teacher workshop teaching 40 elementary to high  school teachers about the different kinds of wetlands with an emphasis on the Everglades. Along with touring the IGFA’s four acre  wetlands boardwalk each teacher was able to walk away with valuable information  and activities that they could incorporate in the classroom with their  students.

The IGFA has also been involved teaching  students from Title 1 schools in Southeast Fla., from grant monies  awarded as a recipient of the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling. Better  known as Fish Florida, the proceeds for every sailfish license plate sold in Florida are awarded in grants  and the donations of rod and reels to organizations teaching ethical  angling. As a recipient since the  program began, the IGFA has been able to teach over 1,700 students.

Besides its educational lab  programs, fishing and wetland birthday parties, Boy Scout and Girl Scout  programs, fishing clinics, a Special Angler Tournament, spring camp and  preparing for nine weeks of summer fishing and marine camps, the education  department has also added new adult programs such as the School of Sportfishing. This program uses the  expertise of professional fishing captains to teach adults the intricacies of  fishing for sailfish, swordfish, dolphin, wahoo, grouper and snapper; all the  while encouraging catch and release and ethical angling practices.

Recently, IGFA Education Manager , Dawn Miller -Walker, participated in the Florida Marine  Science Educators (FMSEA) Conference in Naples, Fla. While teaching other educators she also  assisted Jordy Gelman of JP  Taravella High School, Coral Springs, Fla., one of the National  Student Ocean Conference students in giving a presentation to the teachers .

“The teachers were very impressed by  this environmentally conscious high school student, she said. “This was the  first time a high school student made a talk to educators at a conference of  this caliber and we were honored and proud to have had this opportunity.”

--This  month at the IGFA Museum —

Raymarine  Seminar Series

Raymarine, in conjunction with the  IGFA Hall of Fame and Museum, will be introducing May 19 and 20, the first  installment in the Raymarine Seminar Series: Electronics for Fishing and Navigation.

Held twice daily (9 -11:30 a.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m.) the seminar is designed around the theme of a virtual  fishing trip, from pre-planning to on-the-water fishing and navigation.

The goal of the seminar is to  provide anglers with tips and techniques enabling them to get the most from  their Raymarine Multifunction Display and maximize fishing and boating time.  The seminar is designed for the owners of Raymarine C-Series and E-Series  Multifunction Displays.

Each seminar is limited to 20  individuals to allow for hands-on-training

The cost of the seminar  is $150 per person, and is non-refundable. To signup and reserve a seat go to: http://www.raymarine.com/seminars.  For information contact Jessica Arb at 954-924-4340 or via email: JArb@igfa.org.

--Coming  this summer to the IGFA Museum —

The Blue Wild Spearfishing  Expo

Famous SCUBA, skin,  freedivers and spearfishing authorities from around the country will be  speaking on a wide range of topics at the second annual Blue Wild Spearfishing  Expo, June 29 and 30, presented at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.
  World record holder and national  spearfishing champ, Sheri Daye of Boca Raton, will host the Expo.  Other spearfishing speakers will include Dr.  Terry Maas of California, Dr. Daryl Wong of Hawaii, Kirk Krack of Performance Freediving, and local legend Art Pinder. Topics will include  freediving, SCUBA, slinging, lobstering, world records, harvesting fish by  spearfishing and skindiving history.

Over $20,000 worth of artwork,  clothing, fish mounts, boating related items, dive trips, spearfishing equipment,  etc. will be raffled.
  The public is welcome to visit  the vendor displays with regular paid museum admission. To attend the lectures and seminars there’s a  $65 entry fee good for the two days. For more information, visit  http://www.thebluewild.com/

Calendar  of future IGFA events

May 19, 2007 – IGFA Summer Camp Kickoff -- IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania, FL. USA – 10 a.m. – Noon. The kickoff is a chance for parents to learn more about the nine weekly camps which begin June  4 – through the week of August 3rd; to meet the IGFA  Education staff, view the IGFA facilities and see some of the interactive and  educational activities their campers will be involved  in at the camps. It’s also the last day of the camp’s early bird  registration discount. Camp spaces are  limited. For more information, please contact Veronica Woods at 954-924-4309 or email VWoods@igfa.org

May  19 and 20, 2007 -- Raymarine Seminar  Series: Electronics for Fishing and  Navigation seminar, IGFA Fishing  Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania, FL. USA. -- 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. Held twice daily on Saturday and  Sunday this seminar is designed around the theme of a virtual fishing trip,  from pre-planning to on-the-water fishing and navigation. The goal of the  seminar is to provide anglers with tips and techniques enabling them to get the  most from their Raymarine Multifunction Display and maximize fishing and  boating time. The seminar is designed for the owners of Raymarine C-Series and  E-Series Multifunction Displays. Each seminar is limited to 20  individuals to allow for hands-on-training.The cost of the seminar is  $150 per person. To signup go to: http://www.raymarine.com/seminars or contact Jessica Arb at 954-924-4340 or via email: JArb@igfa.org with questions.

May 20 – 25, 2007 -- Eighth annual IGFA Offshore World Championship, Cabo San Lucas , Mexico – International  fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament hosts 64 winning teams and  anglers from 30 countries on six continents who have qualified by winning one  of 132 IGFA sanctioned events held in 2006. This tournament is the largest  contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release  fishing tournament world wide. Contact IGFA tournament coordinator Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org or for media information from  IGFA PR counsel Pete Johnsonat  480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com .

May 23, 2007 -- Volunteer Broward’s Heart of the Community Event, Broward Convention  Center 6 p.m. -- In the spring of  1999, Dan Rowlands, came to the IGFA to volunteer his time after retiring.  Every Thursday for the last nine years, Dan has tied knots, operated the  fishing simulators, guided tours, fixed displays, trained new volunteers,  and shared the joys of sport fishing with IGFA Hall of Fame and Museum  visitors, alwayswith absolute patience and kindness. His dedication  and perseverance though the years has truly stood out amongst our senior  volunteers. Dan will be highlighted  among hundreds of other Broward County volunteers for their  outstanding dedication to their organizations.  For more information, please contact Jessica Arb at 954-924-4340 or email: jarb@igfa.org.

June 2, 2007 -- Volunteer Recruitment Coffee, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. USA . – 10 a.m. – noon. Interested in becoming  part of our fishing family of volunteers? Join us for coffee, conversation and  an orientation located in the IGFA Learning Lab. Contact Jessica Arb at 954-924-4340 or email jarb@igfa.org.

June  4 - Aug 8, 2007 -- IGFA’s nine weekly Summer Camps begin, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame &  Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. USA – This is the eighth  year of the IGFA’s popular nine weekly camps held during the summer break for  children ages 8 to 13. Campers will explore the aquatic environment and  participate in many fishing adventures and exciting marine life activities. Each  week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4   p.m. Before and after-care is available from 8 - 9 a.m. and 4   - 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to the IGFA  summer camp website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp.  There’s a maximum of 45 children per week, so parents are encouraged to reserve  early. Registration is available by calling the IGFA education department at  954-924-4309 or via email at reservations@igfa.org.

June 17 – 19, 2007 -- Fifth annual Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship Tournament, Key West , Fla. , USA -- This event hosts some  40 girls and boys, ages five to 16, who have advanced to this all-release  championship by winning one of over 30 qualifying fishing tournaments held in  the U.S. and several countries in  2006. Anglers ages five -10 compete in the smallfry division; ages 11-16 in the  junior division. The youngsters caught and released 772 fish in the 2006  championship. Accompanied by a parent and guided by local IGFA approved Florida Keys captains, the young  anglers fish in pairs with another junior or small fry angler over two days for  a variety of 23 eligible five-to-25 point species. Contact Peter Gaube, IGFA Junior Angler coordinator 954-927-2628 or PGaube@igfa.org.

June  29 and 30, 2007 -- The Blue Wild  Spearfishing Expo, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. USA – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Famous divers will speak  about their views regarding this conservation-minded method of harvesting  fish. Learn more about free diving,  scuba, slinging, lobstering, world records, and skin-diving history. The public  is welcome to visit the vendor displays with regular paid museum admission . In  order to attend the lectures and seminars there’s a $65 entry fee good for the  two days. Contact: Joanie Tomlin 954-924-4312 or email: jtomlin@igfa.org

July 8 – 11, 2007 -- Seventh annual IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada , Fla. , USA – The “super bowl” of  light tackle and fly fishing where the winners of over 50IGFA qualifying  tournaments held on four continents in 2006 are invited to compete in  thisthree day all-release championship.From a drawing the  qualifiers are pairedwith adifferent premier Keys guide each  dayfishing fortarpon, bonefish, permit, snook andredfish  using fly or light tackle equipment. Beginning in 2007 thefour major award categories will  include: Grand Champion (the angler who accumulates the most points for all  five targeted species); and first places in the fly, artificial lure and bait  casting divisions. There are also  trophies and merchandise for second and third place divisional winners in the  three categories as well as the top three guides. Contact: IWC tournament coordinator Denise Hartman 954-927-2628 or DHartman@igfa.org or for media information from Pete  Johnson, IGFA PR counselat 480-951-3654 orjohnsoncom@aol.com

July 21, 2007 -- Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. , USA . – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This free all day course  is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife  Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education  requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a  final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please  call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at  954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.

July 21 2007-- IGFA Certified Observer Program (COP) training class -- IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame &  Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. USA . -- 9  a.m. - The COP class trains and certifies experienced anglers, boat captains  and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world.  The course includes species Identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules &  regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA COP applications are  available at the IGFA website www.igfa.org,  and at the IGFA headquarters. Pre-registration is required and the $150 fee  covers the cost of the training class, course materials, and a one-year  membership in the IGFA. For additional information, please contact Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320  email: jschratwieser@igfa.org.

October 20, 2007 -- Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. USA – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This free all day course  is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife  Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education  requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a  final exam. The class size is limited to 16 people with advance  registration. For more information and  to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org

October 20, 2007 -- The Ninth Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame  Induction Ceremony, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach , Fla. , USA -- This year’s event will be the highlight  of a weekend-long (Friday, October 19 – Sunday, October 21) celebration in  honor of all 70 members of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.Join legends of  recreational angling, and members of the international fishing community, for  the entire weekend. The announcement of the 2007 class of inductees is forthcoming. Honorees are selected annually for the important  contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling  achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication  or administration of fishery resources. The evening includes  a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2007 class  and dinner. For reservation information please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org