The 2012 MARCH MERKIN INVITATIONAL PERMIT TOURNAMENT dates are March 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th, 2012.
The tournament events are being held at Key West Harbour Yacht Club and each fishing day starts and ends at Key West Harbour Yacht Club. The Marina is located at 6000 Peninsular Avenue on Stock Island.
On each fishing day, coffee, juice and pastries will be available at 7:30am at the Marina . Boats may leave the dock at 8:30 am and begin fishing anytime thereafter. Fishing ends at 5:00 pm . Boats must return to the Marina and check in at the scorekeeper’s table 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. For maximum points a caught fish must be photographed showing the tag in the proper position. A tagging data sheet must also be filled out.
All proceeds from the tournament after the deduction of direct tournament costs will be donated to the Tarpon & Bonefish Trust.
The members of the Tournament Rules Committee are: Chris McCreedy, Mark Hoskins, Michael Pollack and Peter Schneirla.
The Scorekeepers is: Shirley Ain.
Sunday, March 11th: This is a practice day. The Fly Fishing Film Tour will be at the Tropic Cinema in Key West, doors open at 7:30 – show starts at 8PM. Advanced ticket purchase is suggested, visit www.tropiccinema.com.
Monday, March 12th . This is a practice fishing day. There is a reception starting at 6:00pm at Key West Harbour Yacht Club. 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.
Auction items will be displayed with a minimum bid. Some auction items will be part of a silent auction with results finalized by the end of the tournament.
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.
Before dinner, Jon Ain will go over any rules questions and explain how to measure, tag and photograph fish.
Tuesday, March 13th. Following the fishing, appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar.
Wednesday, March 14th . Following the fishing, appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar.
Thursday, March 15th . Following the fishing, there will be a appetizers served at 5PM. . At 6PM, awards
The awards are as follows:
Grand Champion
Roger Fowler Sculpture
Guide to Grand Champion
Roger Fowler Sculpture
1st Runner-Up
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
Guide to 1st Runner-Up
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
2nd Runner-Up
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
Guide to 2nd Runner-Up
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
Largest Permit
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
Guide to Largest Permit
Aluminum Pat Ford Photograph 30×20
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.