A 39-year tradition, the Block Island Billfish Tournament has come to an end. It was the last of Rhode Island's big-game fishing tournaments, produced by Rhode Island's big-game fishing community.

That community of offshore anglers is aging and dwindling, and many big-game tournaments no longer can sustain themselves.

Randy Pereschino, president of the Block Island tournament, said the event ended on a high note as the sportfisherman My Marie tagged and released a blue marlin weighing between 450 and 500 pounds, as well as a white marlin. Mike Rucci, skipper of the boat, found the fish in the waters between the Butterfish Hole and the Horns. David Bernard brought the blue to the boat, and Marc Mello was the angler who subdued the white.

High winds blew out the tournament's second day.

On the final day of the event, Robert Maires' Lady Marie steamed to the Fish Tails, but found slim pickings, said Pereschino. The boat landed a 47-pound yellowfin tuna to win the tuna division.

My Marie and Lady Marie were the only boats to win trophies during the tournament's final edition.

Pereschino said, "I feel good that the tournament that was called a billfish tournament went out with a bang."

Potts event Friday

The fourth annual Christopher Potts Fishing Tournament is scheduled to start Friday, Sept. 19, at 3:30 p.m. and end the following Sunday at 10 a.m. Named in memory of a local soldier who was killed in Iraq in 2003, the event benefits children who have lost a parent in the Mideast wars.

The tournament ends next Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by a cookout with live music at the Portuguese American Club on East Main Street in Portsmouth.

Cash prizes will be awarded in bass, bluefish and blackfish divisions, as well as a grand-slam category for all three species. Classes include shore, boat, kayak and women's.

The entry fee is $25, and registration forms are available at Riverside Marine in Tiverton, Edwards Fishing Tackle in Newport, and Sam's Bait & Tackle in Middletown.

Carr event scheduled

The Billy Carr Fishing Tournament, an inshore event to benefit local charities, is scheduled to start Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.

Named in memory of a generous Point Judith fisherman who died aboard his boat, the tournament's second edition attracted 128 anglers and 60 boats last year.

The entry fees are $50 for boat and shore divisions and $20 for juniors, 15 and younger. Registration forms will be available at Snug Harbor Marina in South Kingstown, JB Tackle East in Charlestown, Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown, and Westlake's Gas & Convenience in Narragansett. There will be a steak fry and awards ceremony, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Bon Vue Inn in Narragansett.

For more information about the tournament and sponsorship, contact call Barry Centracchio at 932-4468.

Proia and Turner are tops

Nick Proia of Warwick and Lowell Turner of Bradford are heading to Lake Winnipasaukee to compete for berths in the BASS Junior World Championships. The qualifying tournament is scheduled for Sept. 20 on the New Hampshire lake.

In Rhode Island last weekend, Nick won the 15- to 18-year-old division state championship, and Lowell won the 11- to 14-year-old division state title on Johnson's Pond.