Robert High, Commodore of the 60-year-old Hatteras Marlin Club, and club manager Dan Olsen report new membership growth and vitality as they look forward to the next 60 years. The HMC member base includes three generations of many families, reflecting a strong intergenerational commitment to the club’s values for responsible fishing, fun, and community and charitable support, while also preparing the youth to continue its traditions.
Under the guidance of tournament director Will Huntley, preparing the club’s young anglers for a future of fishing includes an annual dockside tournament, where the smallest of anglers proudly weigh the smallest of fish.
Youth category points accumulated in the Hatteras Marlin Club Blue Marlin Release Tournament allows youth anglers to win the big event, as demonstrated in 2018 when Qualifier‘s Charles Gaddy won Top Junior Angler, the Henry Gillam Spruill Memorial and the overall Top Male Angler awards, with his twin brother, Brown, close behind him in points.
This year, Charles (pictured) again won Top Junior Angler and the Henry Gillam Spruill Memorial Award; Natalie Petrilli was named Top Female Angler, and Chad McIntyre was named Top Male Angler of the event. Chad’s two blue marlin releases won Doc Fees the Top Team award for catching both scored fish and netting the team 800 points. Sea I Sea placed second with 650 points, and Islander finished third with 525 points.
