The original Cape Lookout Albacore Festival began in 2002 as the vision of past Director Charlie Utz. His two year old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2001 and had undergone treatments at Duke Children's Hospital. The Albacore Festival was organized as a charity event to raise money for children being treated for Cancer at the Hospital. The Tournament was an instant success and went on for several years raising money for it's charity.

Fast forward to the year 2014. It had been several years since the last Albacore Festival. A group of fishing friends and admitted "Albie Addicts" started throwing around the idea of resurrecting the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival. With the blessing of past Director Charlie Utz, the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival was reborn. Since North Carolina has such strong military ties, and because we are all grateful for those who serve to protect our freedom, it was decided to name Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing as the Festival's charity. Throughout 2014, the CLAF Board met, planned, made contacts, and laid out the blueprints for the 2014 Albacore Festival. The entire fly fishing community united to donate time, money and goods for the Festival, and thanks to all of them, the new Cape Lookout Albacore Festival was a great success. $10,000 was raised during the 2 day event and donated to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

In 2017, the festival expanded to include an inshore fishing division to the tournament. Anglers could now compete in the traditional categories while fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder, or could compete in both divisions. The option was favorably received with numerous entrants for the new categories. To support this effort, the festival adopted an the expanded name of Cape Lookout Albacore and Redfish Festival, and Copper Redfish trophies were awarded. We also received the CEO of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. and his staff at the event. They were so impressed with the festival that our partnership was further solidified resulting in the festival becoming an official PHWFF National Fundraiser! To date, the festival has donated over $75,000 in cash and in kind donations.

The Cape Lookout Albacore and Redfish Festival is a third-party fundraiser for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. with a 2-day event open to the public, and a private event organized with local boat captains to give disabled veterans the opportunity to get out on the water and chase False Albacore on fly. Last year, following two years of pandemic related operating challenges, the festival resumed at a reduced capacity providing our Veterans a fishing opportunity and a day of fellowship and friendly competition for our cherished community of anglers. This year, the festival will be operating at full capacity with a private NC Regional Project Healing Waters event, Captains’ Party with Silent Auction, and our tournament and Awards Banquet.