Fly Fishing Tournament

[Idylwilde]

I noticed on a thread in the forum that a Fly Fishing Tournament in Missouri is hard to find. The topic brought thought to mind about how to set one up that would be fair to both the anglers and the resources used. The majority of the Fly Anglers I know catch & release the fish they catch. So what kind of rules could be put into place to offer up winners. Weight, Length, Dated Photos, I have the resources to sponsor a Fly Fishing Only Tournament on the Current River, But at risk of being called a tree hugger I would not like to see the Blue Ribbon Area of the Current River loose trophy trout at the expense of a Tournament.

I have seen the special events held in the park turn nasty with snaggers running the bank looking for big trout. I would like to get information from the people in the know to give me some Ideas of how to set this up. If I can get the plan together I will do my best to set it up for this summer. All the proceeds would go to the American Lung Association.

So come on guy's and Gal's Lets see what we can get going and have the first. All I need is Ideas and discussion of how it is going to work.

Catch and release only tournament

Artificial flies used only

All team members must have valid fishing licenses and trout stamps for streams being fished.

Angler must be checked out anytime after 7:30 a.m.

Angler must be checked back in by 6 p.m.

Angler members must adhere to honor code on quantity and length of fish caught

All anglers are encouraged to Date & Time stamp digitally photograph catches

Photos will be collected at the end of each day

Teams must fish within the designated tournament boundary

[laker67]

Two members of this forum would be very helpful. Zach Bearden and Motroutbum.

[Gavin]

The Troutbusters have a one or two fly tourney at there campouts down at Ozark Mountain Ranch...They pair the contestants up randomly after breakfast then send them out..fishing starts & stops at certain times and the anglers must vouch for each other's catch.....Think they have prizes for most & biggest. I didnt play the game...but it seemed to work out pretty well.

[FishinCricket]

I have seen the special events held in the park turn nasty with snaggers running the bank looking for big trout.

How dare you accuse Laker67 of this!! We're trophy hunters, not snaggers!! You're just jealous cause we're THAT good...

[Idylwilde]

How much entry fee? To be gave back at 75% as prize money. Big trout and most trout. Depending on how many enters and how much fee is paid someone could have a very good day on the river. I can wrangle up some other entry prizes to be give away also. Like a Grey's Rod & Reel, and fly boxes. I was thinking $50.00 OR More. So do the math for 25 anglers and a 75% pay back. All extra is to be donated to the American Lung Association.

I would like to make this an event that would be worthwile to the people who enter and not just a .5 & .10 type event. It would be you guys and gals event.

[Trout Commander]

I don't have much input since I've never done anything like this but I'd sure be interested.

[Zach Bearden]

I'm assuming we're talking a trout tournament.

My first thought is to have two people together, this is your team mate. He will measure your fish, write down the length and write down the time. I would hope it would be a random stranger, he would be looking to win as well and would not let the other person cheat him out of points. I can get you score cards no problem.

The way FIPS Mouche events are opperated is that you are given a beat ~500 yards long and 3 hours to fish it.

I like the idea, let me know if I can offer any assistance.

[Gavin]

The Busters are non-profit...so they run theirs as a bragging rights tourney. Most of the proceeds go to charity. And the winners might get a rod & reel (one that someone donates) and a plaques instead of cash.

You'll have to figure out your own entry fee & payout percentage....Do you want to benefit charity, or the winners?...

$50 fee, 25 entrants...$1,250 gross...75% to payout $937.50 (prizes & expenses)...net to the charity..$312.50. I can think of easier ways to raise $300 for charity.

[Flysmallie]

By benefiting the anglers you get the interest, but it is nice to offer something to a charity. The only thing I can compare them to are bass tournaments, the majority are 100% payback or a portion is kept but it doesn't go to charity. And yes I know there are some very good charity tournaments around each year.

To me 25 seems like a small number. I would think you would have at least 25 teams which would double the the fees and donation, but again I have no idea how many fisherman this river is capable of handling. You don't want it seen as a negative thing. There may be easier ways to earn $600 bucks for a charity but at least you enjoying yourself while doing it. I don't think anyone should be critiqued for trying to help no matter how small that contribution is or how it is achieved.

[ozark trout fisher]

To me 25 seems like a small number. I would think you would have at least 25 teams which would double the the fees and donation, but again I have no idea how many fisherman this river is capable of handling. You don't want it seen as a negative thing. There may be easier ways to earn $600 bucks for a charity but at least you enjoying yourself while doing it. I don't think anyone should be critiqued for trying to help no matter how small that contribution is or how it is achieved.

25 teams of 2 people would crowd the Current so badly that pretty much anyone who wasn't involved in the tournament wouldn't have much of an opportunity to have an enjoyable fishing day. The Current is a very small stream in the Blue Ribbon stretch, really just a creek...We're not talking about the Lake Taneycomo here. It's one thing to have a great big tournament up in the park where really bad crowds are already the norm, but that is really gonna have a negative impact on other folks fishing the blue ribbon stretch of the river then. No matter how much info you put out on this there are going to be people that are going to come down entirely unaware of the tournament, and be disappointed when the river is far more crowded than usual. I apologize for kinda being a debbie downer on this but it's just something you might consider.

But hell, you're raising money for charity, so maybe I shouldn't be down on it. As a matter of fact I know I shouldn't. I guess despite myself I just feel a little too possessive a national river and maybe I have had one too many trips to a lake or a river buggered up by a tournament or derby or something. But I guess when it comes down to it I hope ya'll have a good time with your tournament and I hope you're successful with raising your money for charity.