12th Annual Islamorada Sailfly Championship

[Fishing Report]

12th Annual Islamorada Sailfly Championship



For the 12th Year twenty teams of passionate saltwater flyrod anglers converged on Islamorada, Florida to compete in the Islamorada Sailfly Championship. Excitement and anticipation levels were high as reports of huge numbers of sailfish being released near Stewart, FL the week before.



A slow moving front approached from the west on the first day bringing strong warm south winds resulting in very lumpy seas. At 8:20 Gordon Winfree of Naples, FL hooked the first sailfish of the day aboard Capt Paul Ross’ Relentless. The fish escaped as did another later in the day. At 9:25 Brian Devries of Islamorada hooked up aboard Challenger II with Capt Rob Dixon. Thirty five minutes later the nail knot was brought inside the rod tip for a 50 point release and Brian’s first ever sailfish while fly fishing.



On day two the winds calmed and the temperature rose creating less than ideal sailfishing conditions. At 9:37, Bob Lodge of Tavernier hooked up aboard Yo Ho Ho with Capt Charlie Scoble and team member Al McLeod of Islamorada. 25 minutes later the connection was inside the rod tip for 50 points and they continued to fight the fish for another 5 minutes before billing and retrieving the fly for 150 points. They hooked two other sails that day as well winning the tournament for the second time in four years. This was also the 4th win for Capt Scoble in 12 years of the event history.



Second Place went to Devries and Dixon on the Challenger II. A tournament total of 8 fish were hooked and 2 released. Tournament Director Sandy Moret said, “Atlantic Sailfish are rarely sought with fly rod in the US. Our event attracts some very devoted and hard core fly fishers with a tremendous amount of talent. The first year, 14 teams competed catching no fish and a 14 way tie for first place was declared. The event has gained in popularity ever since. Sailfishing just hit a lull during the tournament this year and I believe we did about as well as the boats using live baits those days.”



The invitational tournament is an all release team event using 16 pound class (8 kg) tippet supplied by the tournament. Team can have two anglers who may cast, hook and fight the fish and anyone on board can tease the fish with live or dead hookless teasers making the “bait and switch.” A 50 point release is accomplished when the connection of fly line to leader is brought into the tip top of the fly rod. Leaders must be less than 12 feet in length. If the fish is billed and the fly retrieved the catch then counts for 150 points.



The Islamorada Sailfly Championship is sponsored by Florida Keys Outfitters, Rich Products Corporation, The Green Turtle Inn, Craig Reagor of Riverwood Art Farms, Kaiyo’s Restaurant and Pasta Pantaleo’s Signature Gallery.





Gordon Winfree (far left) with the first hook up. Photo by Lisa Weygandt Yo Ho Ho Team (front row) Al McLeod, Capt Charlie Scoble,

Bob Lodge & Tournament Director Sandy Moret





Sandy Moret



Florida Keys Outfitters

PO Box 603

Islamorada, FL 33036

Phone: (305) 664-5423

Fax: (305) 664-5501

sandy@floridakeysoutfitters.com