b'W est Palm Beac Celebrating 85 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 85 years speaks volumes.While structured Tricia Borsch quite differently today, the event remains the worlds oldest sailfish tournament. Chester Brewer The only three years the Derby didnt run was 1943 to 1945, during the Second World War. Barry Brimacomb At one time, famous American author and avid big game angler, Ernest Hemingway was Robert Broadway a Derby trophy sponsor. While many different sports and entertainment celebrities have par-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 Bob Frevert the catch and release ethic that has been enthusiastically embraced by sportsmen around the Chuck Gerlach globe.Perhaps the most notable conservation contribution attributable to the Derby is the John Jolley development of the red release pennant.The West Palm Beach Fishing Club began flying the Daniel Kleiser pennants in the late 1930s.Today, the little red pennant is recognizedaround the world as a Chris Militello way to signify a sailfishrelease.The Derby was also among the first tournaments to incorporate Robert Oglesby gamefish tagging for scientific purposes into a competitive format and encouraged the use of Suzanne Ross circle hooks (a hook that reduces post-release mortality) long before it was mandated by the Michael Samuels National Marine Fisheries Service.Nelson Schad The Derby has an outstanding reputation and a loyal following among those who enjoy John Taylor pursuing sailfish, including some of the most accomplished captains, crews and anglers the sport Wesley Watson has ever seen.It is a fun and very competitive event with rules designed to level the playing David Webb field for boats of all sizes.While there are scores of sailfish tournaments each season off of Robert L. Weigt southeast Florida, few possess the rich traditions and unique character ofthe Silver Sailfish Derby! Serena Wilson The West Palm Beach Fishing Club gratefully acknowledges all those who have fished, volunteered, sponsored and supported the Silver Sailfish Derby throughout our 85 years. Staff: - The Tournament CommitteePresident Follow the Derby on Facebook, @westpalmbeachfishingclub on Thomas L. Twyford, Jr. Instagram, & view live scoring throughout the two day tournament!Managing Director Stay up to date on tournament happenings: Product giveways, notable catches, Thomas Buzz Bzura fishing conditions and tournament standings. Pictures and award winners will be posted across our social media throughout the event. Operations Manager#SilverSailfishDerbyJoella S. Callaway live 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 while others had expansive clubhouses.Each was supported by a community of anglers united West Palm Beach Fishing Club in their enthusiasm for the sport and eager to share it with others. Alas, most are gone now, 201 5th Street unfortunate victims of the changing times. However, a handful remain and a few continue to (corner of 5th St. & N. Flagler Drive) stand out as shining examples of their kind.Among the very best was and remains the West West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Palm Beach Fishing Club.Telephone: (561) 832-6780Membership in the Fishing Club and participation in club tournaments like the Silver Sailfish Derby ultimately support the conservation and education initiatives conducted by the club and Website: its charitable affiliate, the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation (PBCFF).Kids Fishing Days westpalmbeachfishingclub.org for less fortunate youth, Rods & Reels for Kids, annual marine biology scholarships, artificial reef building, estuarine habitat enhancement and historic preservation are just some of the programs Find us on Facebook that are supported by your WPBFC membership and Silver Sailfish Derby participation.If you 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 2021 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. Cover art by Slacker Tide2 85 thA nnuAlS ilverS AilfiShD erby'