In This Issue...
- President's Message
- IWFA Member Awards
- Junior Angler Awards
- Past Presidents Honored
- Hall of Fame Award
- Passing of the Gavel
- Luncheon Sponsors
President's Message
Over 70 IWFA Members and guests assembled at the historic Sailfish Club of Florida on April 7, 2019, to honor the 2018 Award Winners and Past Presidents. Palm Beach was especially fitting since it was where our organization originated some 63 years ago by three visionary women to whom I'm grateful.
For those of you who were able to attend, this edition of Fishnet News will walk you down memory lane. For those of you who were unable to attend, I hope you live vicariously through the articles and photos. And for all of you, more photos will soon be posted to the IWFA website.
As my term comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to express what an honor it has been to preside over the IWFA and to lead the Board of Directors for the past two years. As I've shared in the past, the Board has worked tirelessly to keep this club moving forward, to continue to evaluate and make modifications to fishing and conservation practices to align with "the times," and to ensure our members continue to see value in being a part of this prestigious organization.
Thank you from the top to the bottom of my heart,
Jill Gaddis
IWFA President
IWFA Member Awards
Carmen Perez-Padron of Miami, FL garnered the coveted Anne D. Crowninshield Award for top overall angler. Carmen was a first-time winner of this award and said, "It is truly an honor to have won the Anne D. Crowinshield Award for 2018, it has always been a goal of mine since I first joined the IWFA and learned about the various awards the club sponsored. It was a lot of hard work, fishing pretty much every weekend and on other days off from work, on windy and/or rainy days or beautiful flat calm days. I could not have done it without the constant support I had from my husband, friends, and Keys fishing guides that put in the time and effort to help get me to my goal." Congrats to Carmen on her many wins this year. Obviously, her dedication and love of fishing paid off.
The Kay Rybovich Trophy was awarded to Linda Harper of Nags Head, NC for releasing 55 species. Linda made the following comment on winning this prestigious award. “Targeting species I had never seen, fishing with my son Rich and his son Zane, reconnecting with old friends and guides, and meeting new ones, made this an absolutely grand year, and almost totally distracted me from some serious health concerns. Thank you IWFA!”
The Ann Kunkel Newcomer Award was won by Ashley Bahen of Nags Head, NC. Ann Kunkle was the organization's president from 1969-73. Her family made this award possible by donating jewelry to the IWFA to keep this award going in her memory.
Additional 2018 Award Winners:
Fleming Tournament Award: Jill Gaddis - Jacksonville, FL..
McManus Total Fly Award: Carmen Perez-Padron – Miami, FL
Vernon Fly Release Award: Carmen Perez-Padron – Miami, FL
Texas Plug Award: Carmen Perez-Padron – Miami,FL
Kay Young Memorial Trophy: Dr Joanne Kolius – Hobe Sound, FL
Club Records: Roberta Arostegui - speckled Peacock, 5.62 lbs on 6 lb. tippet and Pam Marmin - Cubera Snapper, 9.78 lbs on 6 lb test
Species Awards:
Roberta Arostegui – Miami, FL for Largemouth Bass, Oscar, Butterfly Peacock, Orinoco Peacock, and Speckled Peacock
Ashley Bahen – Nags Head, NC for Bluefish, Spotted Seatrout and Sheepshead
Mary Edmonds – Marengo, IL for Bass, Rock, Yellow Perch, Walleye
Lisa O Everett - Nags Head, NC for Black Drum, Red Drum
Lisa Y Everett – Kill Devil Hills, NC for Bullhead, Brown, Atlantic Spadefish,
Lorraine Francis – Stuart, FL for Bluegill, Bonefish, White Perch, Sunfish, Redear, Florida Pompano,
Dr. Joanne Kolius – Hobe Sound, FL for Atlantic Blue Marlin
Connie O’Day – Pearland, TX for Pacific Sailfish, Pacific
Carmen Perez Padron – Miami, FL for Great Barracuda, Barramundi, Florida Gar, Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel, Whaler Shark, Grey Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Snook, Warmouth
Shelly Parker – Auburndale, FL for Red Grouper,
Junior Angler Awards
After launching the new Jr Angler program, it was exciting to see 5 of the 8 Jr Anglers participating in their first luncheon. The girls in attendance were: 7-year-old Lyris Francis from Jensen Beach, FL, 14-year-old Emily Hanzlik from Loxahatchee, FL, 16-year-old Emma Hunt from Pearland, TX, 9-year-old Samantha Marmin from Palm City, FL, and 12-year-old Sydney Marmin also from Palm City, FL. Committee chairwoman, Connie O’Day, presented 3 of the girls with their awards for the year. Emily Hanzlik received the Top Saltwater Junior Angler Award, Emma Hunt received the Top Freshwater Junior Angler Award, and although she was not in attendance, Addie Caplinger from Slidell, LA received the Top Service Junior Angler Award for her work in tagging fish with Wounded Warriors.
  
All of the girls and their sponsors had a great time and celebrated our fish totals for 2018: 23 species were caught and released for a total of 1,081 points and 52 monthly awards! New for 2019 will be the IWFA Junior Angler Fleming Award for the most species caught by a junior angler in a fishing year. Also, in 2019, the Junior Angler committee is setting its sights on increasing our membership by 5 or more girls! Please consider sponsoring a 6-17-year-old young lady. Sponsorship is easy! Applications can be found on our website under the tab Junior Angler Program. If you have any questions, please contact Connie O’Day at [email protected] or Jen Goodell at [email protected]. Contributed by Jen Goodell
Past Presidents Honored
 At this year’s annual IWFA luncheon the organization honored the 25 past IWFA presidents, 7 of whom were in attendance. These women worked tirelessly during their tenures to meet the goals of the IWFA’s Mission Statement: To promote competition through release tournaments and increase awareness of marine conservation. Their efforts have kept the IWFA vibrant and one of the world’s leading women’s fishing organizations.
Before computers, digital cameras, the internet, email, cell phones or conference calls, these ladies, used their typewriters, the post office, and landlines to stay in touch with the membership. Except for the annual luncheon, the monthly meetings were held at each other’s homes.
Newsletters and fishing reports were mailed monthly to members. As time progressed so did the technology and communication became more efficient, but the message over the years has always remained the same: have fun fishing, participate in IWFA tournaments, and compete for monthly and annual awards.
In the early years as well as today, Billfish, Bass, Tarpon and Bonefish tournaments locally and internationally, have increased enthusiasm for women’s sport fishing. The Scholarship Trust for marine science has committed the organization to conservation awareness.
The role of the President was not always an easy one. As with any organization, they've had their struggles. Rules evolved. Opinions differed. However, thanks to the commitment and leadership of these women, the IWFA is and will continue to be, an organization where women anglers can demonstrate their skills, enjoy their love of fishing, and feel camaraderie with other women fishing enthusiasts. Thank You, Ladies! Contributed by Denise Freihofer
Hall of Fame Award
 Pam Basco was inducted into the International Women’s Fishing Association Hall of Fame on April 7, 2019, at the annual luncheon. After Joan Vernon read off a list of Pam’s accomplishments, members and guests stood in a room that was filled to capacity. Pam was given a standing ovation as she accepted the honor for her years of dedication and participation in continuing the goals of the IWFA and helping it to remain one of the world’s leading women’s fishing organizations. While Pam thanked everybody, she reminisced of how Kay Rybovich, one of the IWFA founders, had sent her a note in 2005 thanking her for the recent 50th-anniversary celebration of the club. Kay wrote that the anniversary party had given her the “time of my life.” Pam said she too felt the same, and that the IWFA had given her “the times of her life.”
A member of the IWFA since 1987, Pam served as the club’s president from 2003 to 2005. Pam served on the Board of Directors as Vice President, Treasurer, and was the Rules Chairman for five terms. Pam was the IWFA Regional Representative for Texas for 10 years, she always encouraged women to become members so they could meet other women who fish and participate in the IWFA tournaments. During her tenure as President, Pam was instrumental in bringing the club into the age of the internet, updating and reorganizing the By-Laws and adding the full IGFA species list to the IWFA’s release and weight lists. She also served on the IWFA Scholarship Trust as a Trustee for two terms.
Pam has won 14 IGFA world records during her fishing career. She holds records with the IWFA for Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphinfish, and Pacific Blue Marlin.
Pam has been active in other fishing organizations as well. She was the Treasurer for the IGFA, and also a Trustee and is now an IGFA Trustee Emeritus. She has been on numerous advisory panels including the National Marine Fishery Service Billfish Committee, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Billfish Advisory Panel as Chairman, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council HMS Advisory Panel, and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Dolphin Wahoo Advisory Panel as Chairman. She is a founding member of the Houston Big Game Fishing Club, and in 2015 Pam received the IGFA Bob Herder Light Tackle Award.
Passing of the Gavel
The Annual Luncheon signified the completion of the many accomplishments by the organizations 24th President, Jill Gaddis. After she expressed her gratitude from the support of her board, Jill was presented with a beautiful gold sailfish pendant in recognition of her contributions as President.
As Jill joined the ranks of Past President, Kathy Gillen was presented with a gavel signifying her role as President for the next two years. Kathy introduced the new board who consists of 6 members returning to their existing positions, 4 members taking on different chair positions and 4 new members who will be bringing a fresh perspective.
IWFA Officers & Committee Chairman 2019-2021
President, Kathy Gillen
1st Vice President, Suzie Villere
2nd Vice President, Jill Gaddis
Secretary, Denise Freihofer
Treasurer, Gail Kennedy McManus
Affidavits, Carmen Perez Padron
Awards, Pam Marmin
Conservation, Suzie Vilerie
Historian, Fran McKelvey
Jr Angler, Jenny Goodell
Membership, Cheesy Ricci
Parliamentarian, Roberta Arostegui
Publication/Publicity, Julie Hebert
Regional Rep, Connie O’Day & Janice Sands
Rules, Lisa O Everett
Software, Jill Gaddis
Sponsorship, Melissa Littlewood & Aledia Tush
Tournament, Brenda Moore
Website, Lisa Bellar
Luncheon Sponsors
A special "Thank you" to
CCA Florida Star for contributing to every IWFA event in 2018
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Genspring/Suntrust Private Wealth for being our key Luncheon Sponsor
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Molly Fleming
For being our Sailfish Club member sponsor
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and to those who donated items for our silent auction, including:
CCA Florida
Kathy Gillen
Lisa Everett
Dockside Market
Denise Freihofer
Costa
Down East Guide Service
Let's GetEm Fishing Charters
If you're interested in an IWFA Sponsorship email us at [email protected]
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