The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), has donated $5,500 in proceeds from its George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat Fundraiser to the Guides Trust Foundation, a Florida Keys-based organization dedicated to helping those connected with the Florida Keys fishing industry to recover from injury and illness. The check was presented to Captain Duane Baker, the Commodore of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association, who said, “On behalf of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association and the Guides Trust Foundation, thanks for your support. This was a great event for a great cause, and our fishery, environment and way of life depend on our foundations going forward together.”
BTT was founded in 1998 by a group of anglers, guides and scientists who were concerned about the decline of the bonefish population in the Florida Keys. While the organization has grown to include members from over 20 countries, and research and advocacy efforts throughout the U.S. and Caribbean Basin, the majority of its funds and research effort still focus on the Florida Keys. BTT relies heavily on the support of Florida Keys fishing guides and anglers to conduct important research and serve as advocates for the flats fisheries. “We are pleased to support the Florida Keys guide community, which has been instrumental to BTT’s progress and success over the years,” said BTT Executive Director Jim McDuffie.
The annual George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat fundraiser takes place in Islamorada, Florida in honor of the legendary guide and angler George Hommell Jr., a pioneer of flats fishing, a founding member of BTT, co-founder of World Wide Sportsman, and a strong advocate for conservation of the flats fishery.
Thanks to the hard-working local event committee of Duane Baker, Adolphus Busch IV, Carmen Perez-Padron, Bill Stroh and Bert Scherb, the 2016 Hommell event at the Islander Resort in Islamorada drew a crowd of 180 anglers, guides and BTT sponsors, including longtime supporter and Presenting Sponsor Maverick Boat Company. Other event sponsors included Sweetwater Brewing Company, Tito’s Vodka, Keys Commercial Investments, Mote Marine Lab, Caribee Boat Sales, Adolphus Busch IV, Tom Evans Jr., Bert Scherb, Tom Davidson, Gus Hillenbrand, John Nau and Mark Piggott.
Remaining proceeds from the event supported the George Hommell Jr. Florida Keys Habitat Fund, which is dedicated to researching, protecting and restoring the Florida Keys flats fishery.
