The 7th Annual World Championship Bass on The Fly Fishing Tournament will be held May 7, 2016 at Lake Fork Marina from 6:00am - 2:00pm. This unique tournament is exclusively for fly fishing anglers and only rods, reels, line & lures made for fly fishing can be used. There is no rod length or line weight limit for equipment. It is the largest of only two such events in the entire country!
Why would anyone want to fly fish for bass? Ted Warren, the tournament organizer, says “it’s just like bow hunting for deer. It’s more challenging and requires more skill and patience which brings a greater sense of accomplishment.”
Another unique feature is that it is a Catch-Photo-Release tournament. Each participant will receive an ID card at registration which must be included in a picture of the fish on a metal measuring board before quickly returning the fish to the water. The Federation of Fly Fishers which endorses the tournament emphasizes conservation of our fishery resources. This is a bonus on Lake Fork because all the fish caught can be counted, including those in the 16”-24” slot! Winners will be determined by the total length of their five longest bass. Cameras and chips must be checked at registration before the tournament.
The tournament also has two divisions. One for those with fishing boats(Boater division) and one for those who want to use kayaks, pontoons, float tubes, or fish from the bank (Non-Boater division). Previously, those in the non-boater division have done as well as those with boats. Safety and sportsmanship rules must be followed by all participants.
The entry fee is $60/person, which includes $5 for the big bass pot, and an additional $5 for an optional big blue gill pot. The cash payout for each division is determined by the number of participants in each division. There is also a Club trophy awarded to the club or organization with the three longest fish. Friday afternoon there is also an optional pan fish mini-tournament from 3-6 pm.
Entries received by April 16th are eligible for a drawing for a new Sage Largemouth fly rod, line and case valued at $575. Approximately 60 participants are expected this year. In previous years participants have been from Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Colorado as well as Texas. All contestants must check in at the registration tent at Lake Fork Marina before fishing.
Additional activities include free hourly casting clinics, kayak demos, casting contests, vendor booths, and door prizes for participants. Prizes include the Sage rod, Umpqua shirts, TFO rods and hats, Skeeter hats and shirts, Gypsy Jack bass lures, Buff head gear, Brothers flies, Ranger shirts, discount certificates, and fly fishing merchandise from Tailwaters, Cabela’s and Bass Pro.
The tournament provides educational opportunities, practices conservation and promotes friendly competitive fly fishing. Proceeds go to support the Reel Recovery (Fishing retreats for men with cancer) and the Texas council of the IFFF. More details and the registration form can be found at www.bassonthefly.org.
