Islamorada has had lots of fishing tournament activity over the past several weeks keeping many guides and anglers busy!  Congratulations to Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament winner Mo Smith of Cordova, TN guided by Islamorada's Captain Mark Krowka on yet another 2009 win.

 

Captain Krowka then guided Frank Delucas of Plantation, FL to win the 43rd Fall All Tackle Bonefish Tournament with 19 releases and one 12 pounder.  Carl Hiaasen guided by Capt. Tim Klein won second place honors.

 

 

(Left) 

Heidi Nute of Miami guided by Capt. Rob Fordyce won the Women's Fall Fly Classic with 11 tarpon, 1 redfish and 9 snook on fly in three days of great fishing. 

 

 

Sandi Bishop of Aspen guided by Capt. Tim Klein was runner up. 

 

 

Sharon Ellenwood of Tavernier FL won Grand Champion Angler in the 15th Annual Islamorada International Women's Fishing Association Light Tackle Tournament, catching and releasing 59 fish in 3 days of rough seas and tricky 20 - 30 mph winds, using only 6 lb and 8 lb line class!  2nd place went to Jing Torn of Ft. Lauderdale and 3rd place went to Molly Fleming of Palm Beach Shores.  50 IWFA members competed in the annual tournament, held in Islamorada FL Oct 19 - 21, 2009.  They fished hard under very tough conditions for Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Red Drum, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Spotted Seatrout, and Ladyfish.

 (Left to Right) Jing Torn, Sharon Ellenwood & Molly Fleming

All first place winners in these tournaments will be invited to compete in the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship in July 2010. The exciting 2009 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship has been made into a show which will air on ESPN Outdoors' Saltwater Series in April of 2010.  Florida Keys Outfitters & ESPN Outdoors have just reached an agreement to make a program of this year's tournament as well providing our anglers the unique opportunity to appear on ESPN Outdoors in 2011!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more tournament information see www.inshoreworldchampionships.com. 

 

 

Our Florida Keys Fly Fishing School has just concluded its 20th season of classes.  Over the weekend of November 6-8, thirteen men and women with 4 instructors braved 25mph winds and studied every aspect of saltwater fly fishing, from blood knots and casting, to fish fighting and how to properly handle and photograph that 12lb bonefish once he's alongside the skiff.  Chico Fernandez, Diana Rudolph and Jerry Siem joined me to provide personalized instruction to students that came from Florida, Puerto Rico, Georgia, Ohio and Louisiana.

 

For those who have not attended, the school maintains a unique blend of focus while not losing sight of the fact that fly fishing is all about having a good time.  From beginners to seasoned anglers there is something for everyone. 

 

I am proud that one of the schools greatest attributes is the outstanding group of instructors that take the time to personally connect with each student and offer their own unique flavor of world class instruction and encouragement.  Their passion for the sport is evident and we're fortunate to have each of them. 

 

If you've never attended a session of the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School, please make plans to do so today, the 21st season of schools kicks off the weekend of February 19th, 2010.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

 

 

Congratulations to Capt. Greg Poland for October's Photo of the Month.  Here's Greg's shot of angler Douglas Andrews of Portland Maine with a really nice redfish.  Greg will receive a $100.00 gift card from Florida Keys Outfitters. 

Don't forget to submit your photos for November's photo of the month!  Send via email to photo.contest@floridakeysoutfitters.com by 6:00pm EST by the last day of the month.  Please include full name and mailing address. 

Florida Keys Outfitters in concert with Keith Thrasher has designed a limited number of one of kind custom folding knives.  The knives are hand crafted out of 440c surgical stainless steel then bead blasted for a glass finish.  Handles or scales are of certified 15000 year old mammoth ivory traditionally scrimshawed with beautiful game fish.  These pieces are comfortable in the hand or pocket as a working knife as well as a desktop letter opener. 

Tarpon and Bonefish Knives Are Available 

 

The Anglers, Sailfish and Snook should arrive any day.  They are also of 440c surgical stainless steel and bead blasted for a glass finish in transit.  However the sides or scales are of pre ban elephant ivory as seen here:

Tight Loops & Happy Thanksgiving,

 

 

                 

by to test drive a new Sage Xi3 fly rod!