Anglers compete in 13th annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament
The 13th annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament began early last Saturday morning at Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha.
The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile paddling trail that runs through the coastal waters of Pine Island, including Matlacha Pass. It attracts everyone from first-time kayakers to advanced paddlers, and the Blueway is home to abundant marine life, shore birds and crustaceans.
“This is the 13th annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament and our second year as sponsors,” said Bryan Stockbridge, co-owner of Gulf Coast Kayak. “This year the tournament will benefit Candlelighters of Southwest Florida. About two years ago we met the Candlelighters when we took some of them on a kayak tour from Gulf Coast Kayak. We were very moved by what they do and invited them for this event.”
Candlelighters of Southwest Florida is an independent non-profit (501c3) charity founded by Klair Snellbaker shortly before the loss of her daughter Erin to cancer in 1984. Erin was diagnosed with cancer when she was 2 and died from the disease at just 4 years old. The website www.candlelightersswfl.org has a page entitled “On Erin’s Wings.” The mission statement of Candlelighters is “to provide support, education and assistance to families of children with cancer or blood disorders and the professionals who care for them.”
“You remember about two years ago the Stockbridges invited 17 kids between the ages on 8 and 18 who had been diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders to take them kayaking,” Snellbaker said. “So inviting us to be the beneficiaries of this tournament is a wonderful thing for us and we’re very grateful for all of the help Gulf Coast Kayak is giving us today.”
The tournament included door prizes, raffles, food, live music (by Band of Heathens) and a fun filled day for families.
“We are especially proud of the raffle,” Stockbridge said. “We have a hand-carved wood fish crafted by local artist Dan Fischer. The carving is of a sea trout and is carved out of Cuban mahogany. The carving even has some local history it’s wood from a tree that stood in front of the Beacon of HOPE. The tree was struck by lightening and Dan used the wood to carve the fish. I would estimate the value at several hundred dollars.”
The tournament was labeled an ‘Inshore Slam Tournament.’ “What that means is winners are determined by the total number of inches of three fish,” Stockbridge said. “One redfish, one snook and one speckled sea trout. This is a CPR fishing tournament – because of our concern for conservation, this is a catch, photograph and release tournament (CPR).
“This year we are the premier sponsor for the tournament,” Stockbridge added. “The rules are, they can launch their kayak anywhere in Lee County and they can fish anywhere in the county but they have to be here at Olde Fish House Marina no later than Saturday at 3 p.m.”
At 3 p.m. the winners were announced:
1st: David Mccleaf – 72 Inches. His prize was a 2016 Feelfree Kayaks Lure 11.5.
2nd: David Shields – 71 Inches. $500
3rd: Dan McKittrick – 66 Inches. $250
4th: Mike Lahn – 65 Inches. $150
5th: Matt Harvel – Gulf Coast Kayak sponsored angler – 64 Inches. $100
Mystery Fish: Bobby Ruggles – 22-inch jack. Swivel Stick.
“Dan Fischer’s beautifully hand-carved fish was won by Lisa Dense from Olde Fish House,” Dianna Stockbridge said. “I have to say Lisa was so very generous and helpful throughout this process lending us her place for two days to do our event, run silent auctions and raffles and she’s also donating the proceeds from the bingo she’s running every Tuesday this month to Candlelighters. Our heartfelt thanks to Lisa and Olde Fish House Marina.”