The Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Fly Tournament was organized by Dick Pope, Jr. in 1975 to honor the great Don Hawley whom passed away in 1974. All proceeds are directed to the Guides Trust Foundation, which helps local fishing captains during times of need.

The tournament was the first tarpon tournament to stop the killing of tarpon. Charlie Causey, guided by Captain Hank Brown won the tournament in 1986 and as the 1987 Tournament Chairman, Charlie along with other conservation-minded anglers voted to change the Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament to catch and release only.

The event remains five days long and participants can fish with either 12 pound or 16-pound tippet.

It is a wonderful opportunity for a fly angler to fish for tarpon uninterrupted for five days, to meet new and old friends and to support the Guides Trust Foundation.