[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen the Stuart Sailfish Club was created in 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United States, the average price for a new car was $850.00 and the number one song was “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller.
Meanwhile, in Stuart Florida, the largest sailfish run in Florida’s history occurred off the St. Lucie Inlet and club records show an excess of 5,000 sailfish were caught with many single boats catching 20 in a day. On the peak day recorded, more than 200 sailfish were boated by 40 charter and private boats. While many sportsmen released their fish, far too many were slaughtered.
That slaughter led to an idea that is championed today, 75 years later. Capt. Curt Whiticar suggested and later designed a yellow gold and enamel release pin to be awarded for letting a sailfish live and thus began the club’s promotion of conservation policies in earnest. The pin had a gold sailfish leaping across the deep blue of the Gulf Stream with white fluffy clouds and enclosed in a silver band. Ernie Lyons, editor of the Stuart News reported “Release buttons are worn as a league of honor among sailfisherman, pledged to the sport, and not to the wastefull killing of a species.”
The Stuart Sailfish Club is one of the oldest sport fishing clubs in the United States, and the pursuit of sailfish is one of the original tourist draws to this area. In fact, the Palm Beach Times reported in a story in 1949 that New York Mayor William O’Dwyer celebrated his wedding in Stuart and spent part of that memorable occasion sail fishing.
Now with a seven decades long history of conservation, The Stuart Sailfish Club celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016, January 16 to be exact, but the real celebration will be held in March when the Club hosts its Diamond Anniversary Gala and Family Fun Day.
On Friday, March 18, Club members and guests will enjoy an evening of music and foods from the 1940’s. The Club is looking for former members, board of directors and others who participated in tournaments in the past.
“We really want to honor our founders and to celebrate our history of conservation,” said Club President Tom Dyer. “As one of the oldest clubs in the country, we have a lot to be proud of. Thanks to the foresight of our earliest members, we led the drive to protect Sailfish, and still do to this day. Yet we also provide a huge boost to this area’s tourism. We host four tournaments a year, including a ‘members only’ tournament, a lady angler tournament, a youth tournament and a light tackle tournament. In addition, we give to local charitable organizations, and we provide our very own scholarship program, granting scholarships to students going into the field of oceanography or conservation.”
On Saturday, March 19, the Club will host its inaugural Family Fun Day at Flagler Park in downtown Stuart. Guests will participate in demonstrations relating to fishing, water sports, and children’s activities.
“Our club is a family club,” said Dyer. “Not only do you not have to fish to be a member, you don’t have to own a boat. We have monthly socials, and lots of activities throughout the year that anyone can have fun with.”
Perhaps the most exciting news to come along with the celebration is the fact that Stuart Sailfish Club members have been invited to fish in the “Invitation Only” 66th Ernest Hemingway International Billfish Tournament in Havana, Cuba. That tournament will be held June 13-18, 2016 at Marina Hemingway and anyone who is a member of the Stuart Sailfish Club will be eligible to register. Dyer is pretty enthusiastic about this tournament.
“This is especially exciting to anyone who has ever wanted to go to Cuba or to fish Cuba. With the doors of Cuba open again, this is the perfect way to test the waters. According to everything I’ve heard, billfishing off Cuba is fantastic and this is a chance of a lifetime to participate.”
Dedication to the Club’s history and mission is strong. More than 450 members make it one of the largest local clubs. But the future is just as important as the past. Plans are underway to ensure the club’s longevity, with fundraising and membership drives at the top of the priority list.
“We’re a strong club,” said Dyer. “But we have to take measures now to make sure we’re here another 75 years. We want younger people to recognize the value of our club. There’s a great sense of camaraderie and kinship; we’re all dedicated to conservation and protecting our waters and sailfish, while having fun at the same time. Young people are really cognizant of the importance of saving our resources. I think our club is a perfect for them and we welcome their presence and involvement in our club.”
With 75 years behind them, this club takes great pride in their past. They’ve been a huge part of Stuart’s history and fully intend to be a bigger part of the community’s future.
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