HOG ISLAND — The second Hog Island fishing tournament in honor of the late Henry Barney ended July 13 with the awards ceremony in front of the Hog Island boathouse.

Henry Barney, a longtime Hog Island resident, was an international businessman who co-owned BD Sales, a company instrumental in jewelry manufacturing equipment and sales.

Hog Islanders knew Henry as a man who would quietly cut someone’s grass when they were unable, who took over the maintenance of the south-end water system and who collected garbage for the entire island. For a number of years, Sarah Lustig, a professional ballerina and Henry’s daughter, helped with the job. 

Henry understood what it was to be a true islander — helping. That’s how the bloodline flows on the island.

When islanders lost Henry a few years ago, they wanted to honor him with a tournament for his favorite pastime: fishing.

This year’s winner of the Barney Bowl was Dana McClellan, Henry’s niece, who caught a 37-inch striper near the Hog Island lighthouse.

The competition, with the Mt. Hope and Newport bridges as boundaries, lasts a week with anglers photographing their entries next to a ruler and the fishing tournament logo. 

Pictures are posted on the tournament site. The last nights of the event seems to be the busiest.

This year, members of the Barney family were out to take the bowl from last year’s victor, Adam Jacobs. He traveled from New Hampshire to pass the Barney Bowl on to the winner — and we think try again to keep his title.

Dana described the 37-striper catch with Barney family members aboard in Bass Alley near the lighthouse. “Pouring rain started to slow down after pulling in the catch, and a rainbow appeared over the Mt. Hope Bridge.” 

This is something they see a lot when they speak of Henry. 

During the party, someone asked Dana how she was so lucky. A quick answer from Henry’s son-in-law, Tony Lustig: “It’s in the bloodline.”