There has been a July fluke fishing tournament on the Vineyard for many years, and it was always a feel-good event that both kids and adults could enjoy. Fluke are both tasty and elusive, and not so huge that a child can’t reel one in on his or her own.
But last summer the event became a much more emotionally packed journey when the name was changed to the Fluke for Luke Fishing Tournament, and became a benefit for the family of Luke Gurney, who died in a boating accident in 2016.
Luke’s boat was called No Regrets, and that has been the rallying cry for this event and for all those who knew and loved him, of which there are many in the community. The two-day event drew over 400 people last year, with a silent auction raising $18,000 for Luke Gurney’s family, his wife Robyn and their young sons, Sam and Jacob.
This year’s tournament is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. Fishing begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 7 at an ocean near you. Entry forms are at Dick’s Bait and Tackle, Coop’s Bait and Tackle, and Larry’s Bait and Tackle.
On Sunday at the end of the fishing day there will be an award’s ceremony, barbecue and silent auction at the Portuguese American Club, located at 137 Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs. Everyone is invited, whether one fished or not.
Last year Bennett MacDougall took top honors with a fluke weighing 7.98 pounds. He earned a spot on the plaque which lists the winners of the tournament going back to the early days. Ten spots earlier, in 2007, Luke Gurney’s name continues to shine.
Call 781-608-5347 for more information.
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