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ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — The final leg of The Robert James Sales Redbone Trilogy fundraising series, targeting redfish and bonefish, is scheduled Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2-4.

Events surrounding the 25th annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament are headquartered at Islander Resort, mile marker (MM) 82.1 oceanside, and are set to begin Thursday, Nov. 1, with a welcome reception and early registration for anglers and guides.

Notables expected to celebrate 25 years of Redbone tournaments include NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick, former jai alai star Joey Cornblit, National Hockey League Florida Panthers coach Kevin Dineen and Jimbo Meador, the inspiration for the book and film “Forrest Gump,” according to tournament organizers.

Redbone angling events fund research into the genetic disease cystic fibrosis and garner more than a million dollars each year to “catch the cure.”

“When we started these tournaments, we had no idea just how many remarkable strides would be made to increase the life expectancies of young CF sufferers,” said Gary Ellis, who founded the Redbone tournament in 1987 with wife Susan to help CF victims like their then-infant daughter Nicole.

“There’s still no cure and our tournaments continue in full force till there is.”

Thursday, Nov. 1, anglers can register for the Superfly, a one-day, one-fly competition sponsored by The Fly Shop of Miami. Superfly action is to begin at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, with a continental breakfast at the Lorelei dock, MM 82 bayside.

Boats can depart at 7 a.m. and fishing continues until lines-out at 3 p.m.

The official Redbone is to start with a 6-9 p.m. kick-off party and auction at Islander Resort. The auction closes at 8 p.m.

Continental breakfast is served daily at 6 a.m. and boats depart at 6:30 a.m. After a 7 a.m. blessing of the fleet Saturday, anglers can fish Saturday and Sunday until lines-out at 3 p.m.

Dockside parties are set for 3-5 p.m. both days at the Lorelei.

Cocktails and an awards banquet are to start at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Islander Resort beach under the Redbone tent.

Registration is $3,500 per two-person team or $3,000 for one angler to fish, including two days’ charter fees with a professional guide.

The Superfly entry fee is $350 per angler also fishing the Redbone or $500 otherwise.

Tournament information: www.redbone.org or 305-664-2002
Florida Keys fishing: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
Islamorada visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS
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