March 2008 Fly Fishing Permit Tournament
Tournament information, rules and application
The 2008 MARCH MERKIN INVITATIONAL PERMIT TOURNAMENT dates are March 12th, March 13th, March 14.
The tournament events are being held at Hurricane Hole Marina and each fishing day starts and ends at Hurricane Hole Marina. The Marina is located off the northbound lane of Route 1 on Stock Island . Click here for directions to the marina.
On each fishing day, coffee, juice and pastries will be available at 7:00am at the Marina . Boats may leave the dock at 8:00am and begin fishing anytime thereafter. Fishing ends at 4:30 pm . Boats must return to the Marina by 6:00 pm .
Please note that NO box lunches are provided for tournament participants and breakfast is limited.
Also, the rules require that each fish be photographed with a digital camera which must be provided by the Angler or the Guide. At the close of each fishing day, a Daily Catch Form and the marked tape must be given to the Scorekeeper if one or more fish are caught. The Scorekeeper must also be shown a photograph on the screen of the digital camera of each fish caught.
All proceeds from the tournament after the deduction of direct tournament costs will be donated as follows: 80% to the Don Hawley Foundation for the benefit of Florida Keys guides who experience some financial hardship; 20% to Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited.
The members of the Tournament Rules Committee are: Jon Ain,
Tom Levandowski, Doug Kilpatrick and Michael Pollack.
The Scorekeepers are: Jacqueline Horn and Shirley Ain.
Tuesday, March 11th . This is not a fishing day. There is a reception starting at 6:00pm at Hurricane Hole Marina. Appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar. Anglers and Guides will each receive a bag with a number of gifts and other items. There will be a hat and long sleeved t-shirt included.
Auction items will be displayed with a minimum bid. Some auction items will
be part of a silent auction with results finalized following the buffet dinner
on March 12th.
We will also have a limited number of hats and t-shirts available for sale:
$20 for hats; $35 for shirts (we will have small & medium sizes this year).
Also included will be an extra set of Tournament Rules, Daily
Catch Forms and a brochure about the Don Hawley Foundation. Measuring devices,
tapes and markers will also be given out. At 7:00pm a buffet dinner will
be served.
Following dinner, Jon Ain will review the Tournament Rules. Mark Hoskin will
then organize a Calcutta starting at $100 per boat. The proceeds will be
divided up at the end of the
tournament as follows: 40%to the Don Hawley Foundation; 30% to the winning
angler and guide; 20% to 1st runner-up angler and guide; and 10% to the 2nd
runner-up angler and guide. Mark will also organize a pool for the largest
fish. Participation will be $50 per boat and 50% of the proceeds will go
to the Don Hawley Foundation and 50% will go to the winning angler and guide.
The $100 is included in the entry fee. Participation in the Calcutta is encouraged,
but is not mandatory.
Wednesday, March 12th . Following the fishing, appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar.
Thursday, March 13th . Following the fishing, appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar.
Friday, March 154th . Following the fishing, there will be a buffet dinner starting at 7:00 pm . Following the dinner, awards and proceeds from the Calcutta and Largest Fish Pool will be presented to the winning Anglers and Guides. The awards are as follows:
Grand Champion
Roger Fowler Sculpture
Guide to Grand Champion
Roger Fowler Sculpture
1st Runner-Up
Stainless Steel Permit Wall Sculpture
Guide to 1st Runner-Up
Stainless Steel Permit Wall Sculpture
2nd Runner-Up
Stainless Steel Permit Wall Sculpture
Guide to 2nd Runner-Up
Stainless Steel Permit Wall Sculpture
Largest Permit
Engraved Permit Plaque
Guide to Largest Permit
Engraved Permit Plaque
We will also auction off the balance of items provided by our sponsors. The list of items to be auctioned with minimums have been previously made available. You can bid for friends too. What is not sold at the auction will be sold on e-bay.
March Merkin 2008
Dates:
March 11th Captain's & Angler's Meeting and Dinner
- 6:00 p.m.
March 12th, 13th & 14th
Fishing 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
March 14th - Awards Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Tournament Info
Key West Weather
Find out the forecast for our area in Key West, FL.
Fishing Report
Read Key West current fishing reports for the Lower Keys & Key West.