Grand Champions: Captain Andy Thompson and L. Mark Weeks

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Press Release:

Angler L. Mark Weeks and Guide Andy Thompson win 48th Annual Don Hawley Invitational Fly

Fishing Tarpon Tournament

48th Annual Don Hawley Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament

June 6-10, 2022

Islamorada, Florida Keys

The 48th Annual Don Hawley Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament, one of the “Big

Three” tarpon fly tournaments, had relatively consistent daily fishing compared to some previous

years and pulled in a total of 119 releases for the week. Aside from two afternoons of dodging

storms, the Tournament lucked out and had a great week after some major tropical winds

threatened the area just days beforehand. The best fishing took place on the first and last days of

tournament, bringing in 36 and 30 fish, respectively. Afternoon lightening lowered the releases

to 14 on Day 2, then 18 fish on Day 3, and 21 releases on Day 4. Ocean tarpon fishing proved

more difficult than the backcountry during the week. Locating where the fish are is one of the

biggest talents that Guides bring to the team. The Don Hawley attracts some of the best fly

anglers from around the world who are all competitive and passionate about catching the silver

king.

The Don Hawley was the first tarpon tournament to stop the killing, in 1987, of tarpon. Anglers

receive 1000 points for each fish measuring four feet or more caught and released on 12lb tippet,

in accordance with International Game Fish Association rules. The Grand Champion title is

awarded to the Angler and Guide with the most fish caught and released during the five-day

competition. In addition to other awards, Grand Champion names will be added to the Perpetual

Trophy showcasing the names of all past champion anglers and guides. The perpetual trophy

resides at Florida Keys Outfitters in Islamorada, Florida.

Angler L. Mark Weeks from Tokyo, Japan and Nampa, ID and his Guide, Captain Andy

Thompson, won the Grand Championship with 18 releases. This marks the second time the team

will have their names added to the historical perpetual trophy. Weeks said, “Five days feels like

a lifetime in these tournaments, particularly when you’re getting chased off the water by

thunderstorms and are neck-in-neck with several of the best teams to the bitter end.

Lucky for us, Andy knows how to find fish and is a wonderful coach when it comes to

catching them.”

Coming in second place was Angler Evan Carruthers from Maple Plain, MN and his Guide,

Capt. Greg Dini with 16 releases. They earned second place just last year, but this year added an

additional 6 releases to their results from the previous year. Third place was won by Angler Rich

Garcia from Islamorada, FL and his Guide, Luis Cortes with 15 releases. Scott Christian and his

Guide, Chad Huff, earned the High Point Day award with a whopping 8 releases on the first day.

Subsequent days 2, 3, and 4 only had 4 releases each day as the daily high point, earned by L.

Mark Weeks and Capt. Andy Thompson, Julian Robertson and Capt. Rob Fordyce, and Rich

Garcia and Capt. Luis Cortes, in that order. The final day brought 5 releases as the high point

day, won by L. Mark Weeks and Capt. Andy Thompson by time.

The Annual Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament began in 1974. Proceeds

benefit the Guides Trust Foundation, which assists Florida Keys Guides in times of hardship and

provides scholarships to Florida Keys students interested in the marine sciences. Next year’s

tournament will take place June 5-9, 2023. For more information on the Don Hawley Tarpon

Tournament, the Guides Trust Foundation, our esteemed sponsors, or to apply for the

tournament’s waiting list, please visit: www.guidestrustfoundation.org