b'W est Palm Beac Celebrating 83 years of History.West Palm BeachhFishing Club The Silver Sailfish Derby was established by the West Palm Beach F ishing Club Fishing Club (WPBFC) in January 1935 to promote the region and aid Board of Directors: its struggling charter boat fleet during the Great Depression era.The Pete Schulz, Chairman fact that it has endured the past 83 years speaks volumes.While structured Tricia Borsch quite differently today, the event remains the worlds oldest sailfish tournament. The only three years the Derby didnt run was 1943 to 1945, during the Second World War. Chester Brewer At one time, famous American author and avid big game angler, Ernest Hemingway was Barry Brimacomb a Derby trophy sponsor. While many different sports and entertainment celebrities have par-Robert Broadway ticipated in the prestigious event through the years, it is the Derbys longstanding support of C.N. Butch Farrell billfish conservation efforts that has been its hallmark.The Derby is credited with advancing Chuck Gerlach the catch and release ethic that has been enthusiastically embraced by sportsmen around the John Jolley globe.Perhaps the most notable conservation contribution attributable to the Derby is the Daniel Kleiser development of the red release pennant.The West Palm Beach Fishing Club began flying the Chris Militello pennants in the late 1930s.Today, the little red pennant is recognizedaround the world as a Robert Oglesby way to signify a sailfishrelease.The Derby was also among the first tournaments to incorporate Suzanne Ross gamefish tagging for scientific purposes into a competitive format and encouraged the use of Nelson Schad circle hooks (a hook that reduces post-release mortality) long before it was mandated by the John Taylor National Marine Fisheries Service.William Watson The Derby has an outstanding reputation and a loyal following among those who enjoy David Webb pursuing sailfish, including some of the most accomplished captains, crews and anglers the sport Robert L. Weigt has ever seen.It is a fun and very competitive event with rules designed to level the playing Serena Wilson field for boats of all sizes.While there are scores of sailfish tournaments each season off of southeast Florida, few possess the rich traditions and unique character ofthe Silver Sailfish Derby! The West Palm Beach Fishing Club gratefully acknowledges all those who have fished, Staff: volunteered, sponsored and supported the Silver Sailfish Derby throughout our 83 years. - The Tournament CommitteePresidentThomas L. Twyford, Jr. Follow the Derby on Facebook, @westpalmbeachfishingclub on Instagram, & view live scoring throughout the two day tournament!Operations Manager Stay up to date on tournament happenings: Boat entry updates, product giveways, Joella S. Callaway notable catches, fishing conditions, tournament standings, pictures and award winners will be posted across our social media throughout the event. Event/Communications DirectorThomas Buzz Bzura#SilverSailfishDerbylive scoring: www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org/silver-sailfish-derby-standings/Join the Club, Support our FoundationBig Game historian and noted author Mike Rivkin describes the West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC) this way, There are fishing clubs, and then there are fishing clubs. More and more, these institutions have evolved into virtual form as anglers find it easier to troll on-line for the latest information or reports. However, this wasnt always so.At one time, fishing clubs dotted the eastern seaboard from Nova Scotia to Key West.Some were little more than shacks West Palm Beach Fishing Club while others had expansive clubhouses.Each was supported by a community of anglers united 201 5th Street in their enthusiasm for the sport and eager to share it with others. Alas, most are gone now, (corner of 5th St. & N. Flagler Drive) unfortunate victims of the changing times. However, a handful remain and a few continue to West Palm Beach, FL 33401 stand out as shining examples of their kind.Among the very best was and remains the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.Telephone: (561) 832-6780Membership in the Fishing Club and participation in club tournaments like the Silver Sailfish Fax: (561) 832-2137 Derby ultimately support the conservation and education initiatives conducted by the club and its charitable affiliate, the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation (PBCFF).Kids Fishing Days Website: for less fortunate youth, Rods & Reels for Kids, annual marine biology scholarships, artificial reef www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org building, estuarine habitat enhancement and historic preservation are just some of the programs that are supported by your WPBFC membership and Silver Sailfish Derby participation.If you Find us on Facebook are not already a WPBFC member we encourage you to join the club.To learn more about the WPBFC and PBCFF, visit www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org.Membership is available on Copyright 2019 West Palm Beach Fishingline, or better yet stop by the clubhouse and see first hand what makes the WPBFC so special. Club.All rights reserved. Magazine photo credits: Leonard Bryant Photography & WPBFC archives. 2 83 rdA nnuAlS ilverS AilfiShd erby'