Here's a quick summary of the results. More details and photos very soon!
Boater Division:
1st - Capt. Bill Calhoun, Newport Beach, 60 points
2nd - Capt. Bill Matthews, El Segundo, 40 points
3rd - Steve Petit, La Canada, 40 points (back at dock after Bill)
"Free Agent"
1st - Dave Wratchford, Sun Valley (CA), fishing with Rob Baldwin, 90 points
2nd - Pete Pelletier, San Diego, fishing with Peter Piconi, 50 points
3rd - Tom Nielsen, San Diego, fishing with with Peter Piconi, 40 points
"FOPS" (Fins, Oars, Paddles, Sail)
1st - John Dumlao, Spring Valley, 30 points
2nd - Aaron Field, San Diego, 20 points
3rd - Michelle Woo-Bowman, Cardiff by the Sea
We were very fortunate in having Jeff Patterson and Don Swanson of
Abel Reels attend. They brought with them our Grand Prize of an Abel Super 7/8 QC reel with fish graphic finish.
This reel was extra-special because it sported their first-ever Yellowfin Tuna graphic, making this a truly one-of-a-kind reel. The yellowfin tuna graphic was inspired in part by Tony Martinez's swim in our short offshore tuna trip video (
Saltwater Fly Fishing : Southern California : Beyond The Breakwater Videos < San Diego Tuna on the Fly!). The reel was awarded by random drawing among all the contestants (other than Jeff and Don, of course!), and was won by
Mike Forrest, of Burbank.
Overall, fishing for calico bass was pretty good, with lots of fish being caught, although the vast majority of the fish fell just short of the 13" qualifying length limit. However,
Bill Calhoun and Vaughn Podmore both managed to land fish in the
18" - 19" range.
Qualifying barracuda were even more scarce, although
John Dumlao, Jeff Patterson, and Randy Norris managed to land fish
over 32", with John's a very nice 36" fish.
The FF community did very well fish-count-wise; from what I can gather we were right in there with the the sportboats and conventional gear guys (go Team!)
Most of the contestants stuck around La Jolla and Point Loma. Conditions at the Coronados were poor, with off-color cooler water.
Weather and swell conditions were just about perfect, with the morning marine layer blowing away by about 10:00am, and a moderate afternoon breeze. Wind chop was negligible early on, and the swell was small overall, with a long period, although occasional 2'-3' bumps would roll through.
We had 25 contestants from as far away as Camarillo and the Simi Valley. I was so wrapped up in things that I didn't get a chance to talk to too many people, but overall, it sounded like everyone had a great time. The barbeque from Phil's was great (as always)! You guys are heart attacks waiting to happen, though - the ribs and potato salad were gone quickly, and only one person touched the salad
More stats and pictures later tonight! Out of consideration for the LA/OC/Ventura County people who were driving home Saturday, I didn't do the usual winner interviews at the awards ceremony. I am collecting all that info and will post it as soon as I can.
On to the August 8 TYD Tournament! (
TYD Tournament : San Diego : August 8, 2009 - Be There! Be BTB!)
Thanks again to everyone who competed, and to all of our sponsors!
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