Rufus Wakeman has been a friend before I ever met him. His legacy precedes his presence. He's big, boisterous and lovable, with the ability to out fish the best of them. We traveled to the Amazon eons ago and was awarded with a trip of a lifetime accentuated by my new found friend!

His passion for fishing took him around the world and into the fishes' most demanding and far reaching homes. He’s held numerous highly cherished world records including a 57 pound dolphin on 16 pound tippet. He also, with utter amazement, caught 11 billfish species on fly in one year. He was one species short of catching all 12 billfish species in one year! The elusive swordfish denied his grand slam dream. He built the River Palm Cottages and Fish Camp on the Saint Lucie River where his family experienced first hand the despicable Lake Okeechobee algae discharges, which over the years has decimated the river's ability to grow healthy grass essential to holding game fish. He’s given generously to many conservation based organizations and is the President of the Coastal Conservation Association of Martin County, FL.

He is one of the most important people in our sport today and his voice needs to be heard!

We hope you enjoy his riveting story...

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RIVER PALM COTTAGES & FISH CAMP