2026 Events
RILSF Champions VIP Fishing Tournament (2026)
This is our 1 st report on a new approach to rewarding the top “eligible” VIPs from the RI
Tournament held in June. (We continue to follow the “Janice Rule” for eligibility. I.e.: 1 trip per 3 years). This event replaced the usual 5-day trip to the Outer Banks of NC, including 2 full days of travel, and after exploring a few options, including Block Island, we decided on Hyannis, Cape Cod as an easy way to test the logistics and costs of a more local event.(Surprisingly, the cost was about the same as the NC trip because the lodging food and fishing are provided)
2026 RILSF Champions VIP Tournament VIP’s & Guides
We left at 10AM on Friday, 9/11, stayed at the Comfort Inn and dined at local restaurants. The only surprise during planning was that the Hy-Line Fleet shuts down their party boat trips after Labor Day which led to fishing 6AM-Noon on a 12-person charter boat, the Starfish of the Helen F. Fleet. (Added $100 pp to cost)
However, this provided for a more exciting experience with a perfect day to be on the water, which compensated for the scarce catch for the VIPs & Guides. Luckily, the others that were fishing seemed like Pros and caught so many fish (~28 Flounder) that they shared it with those that wanted to take some home.
Thankfully, we were still able to select the order of the winners as follows:
1st Place – Pauline Prusco, W, Wrwk, with a large Dog Fish - $100
2 nd Place – Richard Levielle, Smfd, with a small Flounder - $50
3rd Place – Barbara Henry, Prov., with a shut-out - $25
Pauline Prusco (1st) Barbara Henry (3rd) Richard Levielle (2nd)
Each VIP and Guide was presented with one of our signature windbreaker jackets. All-in-all, we took home some great memories that will last for a long time, thanks in great partto our 96-year-old VIP, Veteran Richard Levielle, for his amazing stories and character!
The RILSF and the organizer, Ken Barthelemy, want to thank the Lions Clubs that have supported this program, and to give a special thanks to the Don and Elaine Hayden Foundation as our major donor in recognition of Don’s love for this event and the VIP’s.
A special thanks to the organizer, Ken Barthelemy, his long-time sidekick Bill Hawkins, and to Alex Aucoin and Bill Vandal who have joined the team providing great support, and the fishing gear!