The Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament

Dates: Jun 1, 2009 to Jun 5, 2009

Location: Islamorada, FL
Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio
(305) 664-2444
csasun@aol.com
www.donhawleyfoundation.com

ISLAMORADA Florida Keys – Charles Duncan, III, of Houston, TX was named Grand Champion of the 2009 Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament, guided by Captain Rob Fordyce of Homestead, FL releasing 14 tarpon a minimum of four feet in length.

The team of Duncan and Fordyce were champions of the 2005 Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament. This is the third angler Captain Rob Fordyce has brought to the winners circle in the Hawley Tournament.

Along with Grand Champion honors, Duncan will receive an invitation to compete in the IGFA Inshore Championship, to be held in Islamorada during the summer of 2010.

David Dalu of Charleston, SC won the 12-pound tippet division, releasing 13 fish while guided by Captain Scott Collins of Marathon, FL. Dalu and Collins were Grand Champions of the Hawley in 2007 & 2008.

The 16-pound tippet division was won by William Davis of Chapel Hill, NC. Captain Perry Coleman of Islamorada guided Davis to 5 releases.

Tony Nobregas, Islamorada, FL was the first to win a new division, Senior Grand Champion, releasing 6 tarpon fishing with Captain Joe Rodriguez. Julian Robertson, of New Zealand was awarded Best Other Fish catching a snook on fly. Roger Fernandez, of Pinecrest, FL was named best new angler, guided by Captain Eric Herstedt, releasing 9 tarpon.

Twenty five anglers released a total of 90 tarpon in the 12-pound tippet class and 16 tarpon in the 16-pound class.

The Hawley Tournament is a fund raiser for the Hawley Foundation that awards scholarships to young people from the Florida Keys and provides support to guides in times of hardship. Please visit donhawleyfoundation.org to learn more about the Hawley Foundation. The next competition will be held at the Islamorada Fishing Club June 7 – 11, 2010. For information contact tournament director Charlotte Ambrogio at csasun@aol.com or call 305-942-0428.