ANGLERSFOREVERGLADES

ANGLERSFOREVERGLADES

The Herman Lucerne MemorialTournament: Seven Species. Two Days. One mission.

Unique in the world of tournaments,

the Herman Lucerne Memorial was

founded to serve three main purposes:

To invite anglers from all over the world

to experience the unique environment

and unparalleled fishing of Everglades

National Park, while at the same time

raising awareness and capital to support

ongoing angler-based

initiatives in the park.

And of course, to honor

long time Everglades

angling pioneer Herman

Lucerne himself.

Herman Lucerne, Everglades angling pioneer.

Over the last 14 years, this tournament has brought together a wide variety of anglers from all walks of life: Famous TV personalities, fishing guides, families, biologists and anglers of all ages and skill levels.

Over the last 14 years, this tournament has brought together a wide variety of anglers from all walks of life: Famous TV personalities, fishing guides, families, biologists and anglers of all ages and skill levels.

7SPECIES IN TWO DAYS

The mission:

Over two days, they challenge themselves

to catch at least one of each of the seven

species in the tournament format: Tarpon,

Bonefish, Snook, Redfish, Snapper, Trout

and Black Drum, producing champions in

22 categories, with an awards presentation

that has become one of the premiere

events of the sportsman’s calendar.

The Wruble Trophy,by renown Keys artist

David Wirth

Pioneers don’t just comefrom history books.

Pioneers don’t just comefrom history books.

The Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry

Championship was founded in 2000 by

Dr. Lloyd Wruble to honor his friend, the

late Herman Lucerne. Herman was an

early pioneer of the backcountry fishing in

Everglades National Park, which in the days

before GPS and mosquito control, was an

undertaking for only the hardiest angler.

Over the last 14 years, the HLM tournament

has grown in popularity, attracting anglers

from around the world, and to date raising

over $100,000 in proceeds to benefit

Everglades National Park.

Dr. Lloyd Wruble: Founder, Herman Lucerne Memorial

Sharing our love,but not our spots.

Sharing our love,but not our spots.

Our mission is to showcase the opportunities

the Everglades National Park environment

provides for the general public to interact

with this unique ecosystem. In addition, to

use our involvement with the Park to raise

awareness and funding for the infrastructure

necessary to support this interaction.

One part sporting competition.One part celebration.

One part family reunion.

One part sporting competition.One part celebration.

One part family reunion.

The format over the years has evolved, but

this year, our festivities commence with a

cocktail hour/barbecue Captains Meeting

at the Islander Resort in Islamorada on

Friday, Sept. 21 at 5:00. It is a great time to

connect with old friends, meet new ones

and size up the competition. In addition,

there is a silent auction and a live auction

as a part of this event.

Leave the dock at 0’ dark thirty.Go to bed the good kind of tired.

Leave the dock at 0’ dark thirty.Go to bed the good kind of tired.

The next morning dawns early- with lines

in at 7:00AM. Anglers can check in at the

Islander that morning, or at Don’s Bait and

Tackle in Homestead (for those who would

choose to trailer to Flamingo) Lines out at

5:00, when tired anglers can share tall tales

of their day’s exploits, only to do it all over

again the next day. Sunday Evening there is

a start-studded awards banquet, where the

championship results are announced, and

many teams begin their plans for next year.

Making a difference you can see.

Making a difference you can see.

Over the last five years, the HLM has raised

over $100,000 in funds to augment the federal

government’s budget allocation for Everglades

National Park. Our funds have been earmarked

specifically for infrastructure that supports the

activities of anglers and sportsmen in the Park,

such as boat ramp and dock improvements,

channel markers and signage, and navigational

aids.

A bandwagon, shapedlike a fishing tournament.

The Herman Lucerne Memorial brings together

a unique blend of some of the most influential

personalities in shallow-water angling,

conservation, and the marine industry.

This has proven over the years to be a

powerful opportunity for our sponsors and

corporate partners to participate in the

conservation of Everglades National Park,

and have a great time doing it.

A bandwagon, shapedlike a fishing tournament.

®

A fraternity waiting for you to join.

A fraternity waiting for you to join.

The Herman Lucerne Memorial Tournament

is a great way for your organization to join a

core group of people who are at the center of

conservation, angling, and outdoor sports. This

is also a great opportunity help support the

future of Everglades National Park, to connect

with an influential cross-section of sportsmen,

conservationists and luminaries, and to do so in

a way that is way more fun than simply writing

a check. To learn more about this opportunity,

give us a call. We’ll be happy to help create a

way for you to get involved.

To learn more about how you can get involved with the Herman Lucerne Memorial, reach out to Todd Fuller at 321.323.8223 or todd@hellsbayboatworks.com