Winners of the June 12 event no longer will be the ones who catch and release the most fish, but those who meet the contest quota fastest.

The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club has announced the cancellation of its 29th Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament, scheduled for the evening of May 30.

The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament will change its rules.

Island flyfishermen turned out in large numbers for the 28th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Catch and Release Tournament.

It’s time to mark calendars for the 26th annual fly rod striped bass catch and release tournament.

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Larry’s Tackle Shop has a new owner. He is the same guy who has been behind the counter and stocking the walls with fishing gear for years.

Steve V. Purcell has stepped from managing the store to owner and he did it with little fanfare back in March.

For him, this is the realization of a dream. Though he has managed the store for years, he has run it as though he owned it.

“I don’t know what I would have done without thinking about the store,” he said.

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

Fewer fish were caught and released in the 18th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club’s flyrod striped bass catch and release tournament last weekend than in the previous year’s contest. It may be the first time the number of fish caught and released was less than the number of anglers who entered the contest. There were a total of 146 striped bass and 193 flyfishermen.

The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club will host its 16th annual Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament this weekend, June 5 and 6.

To confirm entry anglers must check in on Saturday between noon and 3 p.m. (officials will go over the rules at 3 p.m. sharp) at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School cafeteria on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.

Catch and Release

Fishing for striped bass from the shore was tough last weekend, at least for those competing in the 19th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club striped bass catch and release tournament.

Of the 124 fishermen who competed, they caught and released 100 fish. The numbers are down both in contestants and in fish. Last year 193 fishermen competed.

Superb weather and good fishing helped participants enjoy the 21st annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Flyrod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament held last Saturday night. There were 129 fishermen in the event and a total of 123 fish were caught and released. The largest fish measured 43 inches in length and was caught and released by Rene Sehr. This tournament is the only one on the Vineyard where fishermen don’t take their fish home.