From the early 1970s till the early 90s, Dr. Lloyd Wruble fished the remote waters of the Everglades back country twice weekly with a mentor who’d been roaming the region well before it became a …
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com More and more lately, it seems, we’re seeing You Tube videos and reading Internet posts about supposedly pelagic (offshore) …
Courtesy of Coastal Angler Magazine For South Florida residents and visitors, having the beautiful islands of North and South Bimini a mere 50-60 miles away certainly does open up a host of fishing adventures …
Mean Joe Green didn’t act very tough; he swam languidly in a circular 1,100-gallon tank waiting for his lunch of lettuce, squid and broccoli from the hospital commissary just a few feet away. He …
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com One year into PROJECT BAY BONES–a three-year-study aimed at determining why bonefishing has declined in South …
BILLFISH INVITATIONAL AUCTION ITEM: “SURFACED”, a Guy Harvey Original Growing up in Jamaica, Guy Harvey spent many hours fishing with his father along the island’s south coast. He was …
To help families stay engaged, entertained and educated while they spend time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, world-renowned artist, conservationist, scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Guy Harvey and …
Proceeds benefit education and marine conservation in the State of Florida FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—APRIL 3, 2012— For fans of marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey there’s a new collector’s …
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![](mailto:?subject=The Family Easter Weekend is on at the Big Game Club&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/eco-easter12.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-549" title="Easter at the Bimini Big Game Club" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/eco-easter12.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="751" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/the-family-easter-weekend-is-on-at-the-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost Hosting Herman Lucerne Memorial Kick-Off Party and Awards Dinner&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/10345549_1090351407659179_1203005855189145553_n-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2882 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/10345549_1090351407659179_1203005855189145553_n-2.jpg?w=300" alt="10345549_1090351407659179_1203005855189145553_n (2)" width="300" height="284" /></a>From the early 1970s till the early 90s, Dr. Lloyd Wruble fished the remote waters of the Everglades back country twice weekly with a mentor who'd been roaming the region well before it became a national park in 1947. Herman Lucerne-- the former Florida City mayor and pioneer citrus grower nicknamed Mr. Everglades--introduced Wruble, a Miami oral surgeon, to the winding mangrove labyrinth of Hells Bay where the two endured extreme heat, relentless mosquitoes, and menacing reptiles for the exhilaration of catching monster snook.
"He showed me a lot I didn't know," Wruble said of Lucerne. "We were prepared to stay all night-- mosquito suits and all that."
Being unable to explore some of the park's narrowest inland passages in Lucerne's wide motorboat prompted Wruble to procure a 16-foot aluminum craft with a 70-horsepower Yamaha capable of penetrating creeks only as wide as stairwells and plying flats less than a foot deep. There they caught plenty of other game fish -- tarpon, bonefish, snapper, black and red drum, sea trout and even black bass where the 'Glades waters ran fresh enough. In the days before GPS and reliable cell phone service, the pair were the envy of South Florida sport anglers who longed to plumb their secret spots but were daunted by the perils and discomfort.
In 1992, Lucerne died in the aftermath of devastating Hurricane Andrew. But Wruble kept fishing on his own and eventually introduced up-and-comers such as captain Rick Murphy, now host of television's Chevy Florida Insider Fishing Report, to the hardships and rewards of Hells Bay and the Everglades.
In 2001, Wruble held the first Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Fishing Championship to honor his friend's pioneering fishing legacy. The 2015 edition slated for Sept. 18-20 will host more than 70 angler teams competing to catch and release all seven eligible species --snook; tarpon; bonefish; sea trout; snapper; red drum; and either black drum or black bass--on bait, lures or fly tackle within Everglades National Park. No prize money will be awarded; proceeds benefit the park. The Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort in Islamorada, will host the Sept. 18 kick-off party and the Sept. 20 awards dinner.
Logging all seven species will be fun to try, but tough to accomplish.
"They have to time the tides and have to pre-plan where to go at what time," Wruble said. "Knock off the easy ones first and save time to go after the more difficult ones. Bonefish is usually the toughest. It's very difficult to do, but every year we have several anglers that get all seven species."
The angler who measures, photographs and releases the greatest total length of all seven will be crowned grand champion. Trophies will be awarded in numerous other categories as well. Co-hosting the event are fishing celebrities Flip Pallot, Chico Fernandez, C.A. Richardson and Rick Murphy. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outpost-hosting-herman-lucerne-memorial-kick-off-party-and-awards-dinner/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Offshore Fishing Forecast&body=<a href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-95" title="Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/final-resort-logo.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="159" /></a>
Courtesy of <a title="Coastal Angler Magazine web site" href="http://www.coastalanglermagazine.com" target="_blank">Coastal Angler Magazine</a>
For South Florida residents and visitors, having the beautiful islands of <a title="Bimini - Islands of the Bahamas" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini" target="_blank">North and South Bimini</a> a mere 50-60 miles away certainly does open up a host of fishing adventures and opportunities!
August and September are typically similar with respect to the fishing conditions, except for the itinerant tropical storm that may impact the northwest <a title="Islands of the Bahamas" href="http://www.bahamas.com/" target="_blank">Bahamas</a>. Conditions are light winds, calm seas and warm water. August was a great month as September is forecast to be the same. Currents have been light and this will contribute to excellent fishing.
Bottom fishing on the reefs should produce grouper and yellow tail snapper along with the usual staples. For those that deep drop, mutton snapper, amberjack, yellow eyes and queens will be bending your rod. Trolling to the north, be prepared for your share of kingfish and mackerel. As we are now turning the corner on the autumn season, do not be surprised to hook a small wahoo or an occasional sail.
Just a quick note to mention that in late summer, fast developing and moving thunderstorms are a distinct possibility so ensure you are prepared and ready for changing weather conditions.
See you in Bimini soon!
Capt. Robbie Smith, Dockmaster
Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina
<a href="mailto:rsmith@biggameclubbimini.com">rsmith@biggameclubbimini.com</a>
242-347-3391 https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bimini-offshore-fishing-forecast/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Urgently Needed: Bone Reports from South Florida&body=<img class=" size-medium wp-image-3050 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/bone.jpg?w=300" alt="bone" width="300" height="280" />By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
One year into PROJECT BAY BONES--a three-year-study aimed at determining why bonefishing has declined in South Florida waters-- scientists from Florida International University say they urgently need help from flats guides and anglers.
Dr. Jennifer Rehage, a professor of environmental studies who is leading the project, says the research team is seeking detailed information about bonefishing experiences from Biscayne Bay through the Lower Keys. Researchers have crafted an online survey at <a href="https://fiu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1GplxUPVHqt5xtz" target="_blank">https://fiu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1GplxUPVHqt5xtz</a> and urge everyone who has fished for bonefish-- from decades ago up to the present-- to complete it before the end of December. It was first posted online last summer.
Rehage said the survey has garnered about 250 responses so far, but she needs a larger sample size -- especially guides --to ensure its scientific validity.
"If I could get 400, I'd be ecstatic," Rehage said.
Veteran anglers and guides throughout southeast Florida and the Keys say they have seen a decline in bonefish numbers-- particularly in Florida Bay over the past 10 years. The FIU scientists -- with funding from the non-profit Bonefish Tarpon Trust-- are examining research data accumulated from as far back as the 1970s and 80s on water quality and delivery, prey abundance, habitat, and pollutants. Without scientific data on the health of bonefish populations, angler/guide knowledge is "an invaluable source of information," according to Rehage.
She hopes to have some answers by the middle of next year.
Meanwhile, Bonefish Tarpon Trust is conducting a separate, three-year bonefish genetics study that also depends on the help of anglers and guides.
Working in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Massachusetts, Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas, and the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, BTT is trying to learn whether bonefish populations throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic are related. The researchers want to know where bonefish larvae go following spawning; do they grow into juveniles on flats near spawning sites, or drift far away? The answers will have major implications for conservation programs.
Anglers and guides can help by catching bonefish in South Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos, and clipping off a small piece of the fin for DNA analysis. BTT will provide the sample kits. Email info@bonefishtarpontrust.org or call 321-674-7758.
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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/urgently-needed-bone-reports-from-south-florida/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – “Surfaced”, a Guy Harvey Original&body=<a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">BILLFISH INVITATIONAL</a> AUCTION ITEM: "SURFACED", a Guy Harvey Original
<a href="http://guyharveyoutpost.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/surfaced.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-674" style="border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;" title=""Surfaced", an original pen and ink by Guy Harvey" src="http://guyharveyoutpost.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/surfaced.jpg" alt="" width="545" height="304" /></a>
Growing up in Jamaica, <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> spent many hours fishing with his father along the island's south coast. He was obsessed with the creatures of the sea and began drawing pictures of the many different fish he observed.
In 1985, Guy produced a series of 44 original pen and ink drawings inspired by the <a title="Wikipedia entry for Ernest Hemingway" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway" target="_blank">Ernest Hemingway</a> classic <a title="Wikipedia entry for "The Old Man and the Sea"" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea" target="_blank">"The Old Man & the Sea"</a>, and displayed them at an exhibition in Jamaica. Based on the show’s success, and a subsequent trip to Havana to fish the <a title="Hemingway Billfish Tournament web site" href="http://www.cubatravelusa.com/Hemingway%20Marlin%20Tournament.html" target="_blank">Hemingway Billfish Tournament</a>, Guy was compelled to create a complete series of drawings to honor Hemingway’s work. As they say, the rest is history!
Al these years later, Guy continues to find inspiration in the bigger-than-life exploits of Hemingway. In 1999, Guy and fellow <a title="IGFA web site" href="http://www.igfa.org" target="_blank">IGFA</a> trustees celebrated the opening of the organization’s new facility with an exhibit of Hemingway’s fishing exploits, literature and memorabilia. And now, a decade later, Guy has returned to Bimini to honor Hemingway’s contributions to big game fishing and his celebration of this “Island in the Stream”.
This Guy Harvey original is one of Guy’s most cherished pieces. This original pen and ink highlights the power of the majestic blue marlin, and defines the enduring spirit of anglers who challenge these great fish. In a fitting tribute, Guy has rendered the blue marlin in bold, real-life color – a detail that emphasizes the blue marlin’s supremacy of the oceans.
In addition to this stunning piece of artwork, the offering also includes an autographed copy of “Santiago’s Finest Hour”, a special edition, out-of-print book published in 1999 on the Centennial of Hemingway’s birth. Enjoy a first-hand perspective of Guy’s appreciation for Ernest Hemingway, whose exploits and writing have inspired Guy and millions others, including those participating in the inaugural Billfish Invitational. Framed 25 ½” x 36 ½”. Donated by Guy Harvey.
AUCTION INFORMATION:
Tickets to nightly events of the inaugural 2011 Billfish Invitational are available for $150/pp. Price includes cocktails, dinner and participation in the auction and award presentations.
On-site auction is Thursday, May 19th at the Bimini Big Game Club. Online bids accepted through Midnight, Wednesday, May 18.
Please contact Capt. Ned Stone (<a href="mailto:nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com">nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com</a>) for details.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-surfaced-a-guy-harvey-original/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=New GUY HARVEY® Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Game Debuts Today&body=<a href="http://www.flalottery.com/promote.do"><img title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Game " src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/flalotterymobilelandingpage.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="508" /></a>
Proceeds benefit education and marine conservation in the State of Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—APRIL 3, 2012— For fans of marine wildlife artist and conservationist <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey</a> there’s a new collector’s series of lottery tickets that will be available starting today—priced at just $2.
Dr. Harvey and the <a title="Florida Lottery web site" href="http://www.flalottery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Florida Lottery</a> today are officially launching the <a title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Game" href="http://www.flalottery.com/promote.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off game</a>, featuring a series of <a title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Tickets" href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150586035320966.370981.120398390965&type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">six colorful wildlife illustrations</a> designed by the world renowned marine artist.
During a March 23rd <a title="Video highlights from press conference" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">press conference</a>, Dr. Harvey announced that his licensing proceeds from the sale of the tickets will benefit the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>, a marine conservation organization that funds educational programs aimed at informing children and young adults about their role in conserving Florida’s marine ecosystem.
Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell anticipates sales of the GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off Game to generate about $3.5 million for Florida’s education system.
“This partnership with the Florida Lottery is unique and I am happy to launch a product that will help Florida’s schools as well as the state’s precious marine resources,” said Dr. Guy Harvey. “I am especially looking forward to fishing with the winner of the <a title="Cayman Islands web site" href="http://www.caymanislands.ky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Cayman</a> trip. We will have a great time!”
Dr. Harvey was referring to a <a title="About the Second Chance Promotion" href="https://secondchance.flalottery.com/secondchance/howtoplay_2012-GuyHarvey.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Second Chance Promotion</a> that offers players the chance to win the fishing trip of a lifetime.
The $2 GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off game offers cash prizes of up to $30,000 and overall odds to win of one-in-4.37. Additionally, non-winning GUY HARVEY® tickets may be entered in the Guy Harvey® Sportsman’s Paradise Second Chance Promotion on the Lottery’s website.
Four drawings will be held between April 25 and June 27 with 12 winners selected in each drawing.
Grand prize winners will receive a Sportsman’s Paradise fishing trip for two to one of several fantastic fishing destinations including St. Petersburg Beach, Hawks Cay, Rum Cay in the Bahamas, or Grand Cayman Island, where one lucky winner and a guest will get the opportunity of a lifetime – to go fishing with Guy Harvey himself!
Second prize winners in the drawing will receive an original Guy Harvey® framed watercolor painting and the third prize winners will receive a $200 gift certificate to <a title="GHS web site" href="http://www.guyharveysportswear.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GuyHarveySportswear.com.</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/new-guy-harvey-florida-lottery-scratch-off-game-debuts-today/){kind=link}
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