FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

STUART SAILFISH CLUB LADIES TOURNAMENT

Every year in Stuart, Florida, a group of lady anglers — the Saltwater Sisters — gathers for fishing, fun and food to raise money for local charities. Recently, after a rough day on the ocean, the ladies came back from fishing for a live auction. As our version of Vanna White was struggling to showcase an overflowing Yeti cooler full of goodies for the crowd, two strapping young mates jumped up to assist her. One spirited angler yelled to the auctioneer, “How much are they going for?” as the whole tent erupted into laughter. Yes, we do have fun! —Margaret Dyer

ALICE KELLY MEMORIAL LADIES ONLY BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

“Captain’s choice” takes on a new meaning when there is only one fishing day a year and your charter party is composed of six women. Conventional wisdom dictates that it should be called “the captain thinks he has a choice.” The wind could be blowing 25 knots, or there could be well over 200 billfish releases. And that’s when the magic happens: Each girl gets two turns in the chair, and there are double-digit release flags on the rigger coming home. It’s also a hell of a send-off for the boys fishing in the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament the next day, and the ladies love to show them how to get it done. —Heather Maxwell

KELI WAGNER LADY ANGLER TOURNAMENT

So many thoughts popped up when I was asked for my favorite story from our 20 years of the KWLA. We’ve had tiebreakers to win for most billfish releases, a dolphin larger than the angler who caught it, a dying father’s wish for his daughter and then for her to win. However, I think the fact that the KWLA supports our local cancer center is still by far the biggest story of our 20 years and the reason these fishing women break records and barriers each year. And our 2014 tournament had to be one of our favorite fishing stories, with Caroline Wagner releasing the first blue marlin in the KWLA and Casey Wagner, her father, winning first place in the Big Rock. The KWLA was named after the mother and wife of these two fabulous people. —Crystal Hesmer