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“Michael may have opened the door, but Helen kicked it in.” ![]()
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Meet Helen Lerner, the fearless angler who made history by breaking barriers in the world of recreational angling. As a young woman in the 1940s, Helen defied societal norms by pursuing her passion for angling and quickly became a skilled and respected angler. Despite a penchant for seasickness, her talent and determination led to an impressive lineup of firsts for women, including:![]()
- The first to catch a bluefin tuna off the European continent![]()
- The first to catch nine tuna in one year![]()
- The first to catch a broadbill swordfish off Nova Scotia![]()
- The first to catch four different species of marlin ![]()
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Beyond her phenomenal angling career, she leaves an impermeable legacy along with her husband Michael Lerner in founding the IGFA and advancing marine science. ![]()
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We’re celebrating Helen's legacy this Women's History Month and continue to support women in pursuing their angling dreams, no matter what obstacles they may face. ![]()
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Learn more about the path Helen paved for future generations of female anglers in this short film produced by our friends at Rapala: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW4L9pNk_g4 ![]()
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#WomensHistoryMonth
The IGFA is proud to announce the appointment of a new Africa Regional Council. The sixth regional council was formed as part of the IGFA’s strategic vision to build operational frameworks to allow IGFA Representatives, Captains and Members to work more effectively on projects that support vibrant and productive fisheries in their respective regions. ![]()
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IGFA Regional Councils are made up of elected IGFA Trustees, Representatives, Members, and Captains as well as members of select local recreational angling NGOs who represent the interests, fisheries, and issues affecting specific areas within the council’s purview.![]()
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"The establishment of the Africa Regional Council is a significant milestone for the IGFA, and we are excited to have this dedicated group of individuals working with us to advance our global mission,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “We look forward to collaborating with the Africa Regional Council and leveraging their expertise to drive positive change for game fish and their habitats."![]()
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IGFA Representatives and Trustees in the Africa region participated in a two-week nomination process to recommend council officers and committee members. The nomination process concluded on Monday, February 27, 2023, with over 21 nominations received. Read the announcement: bit.ly/3ZW8uLm
Captain Wayne MacMasters of Tidewater on the Fly was fishing the Elizabeth River in Virginia on February 14, 2023, when he landed this spotted seatrout on fly. The fish measured out at 58-centimeters on his official IGFA Measuring Device. With this seatrout Captain MacMasters can potentially set the IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. After recording the length and snapping a few photos, he was able to release the fish safely. This record is currently pending and under review.