WOMEN’S WORLD INVITATIONAL FLY CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR FEB. 23-25
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Precision and accuracy are to be on display when professional and amateur fly casters compete in the first leg of the Women’s World Invitational Fly Championship, set for Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 23-25.
The ladies-only tournament is the first in a series of three scheduled during 2005, and will be the only “open” tournament in the series. According to Sue Moret, tournament director, the open format allows the contestants to fish with or without a licensed captain. The format also allows targeting a variety of species including redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish, speckled trout and permit.
The tournament’s kickoff meeting and cocktails are scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, mile marker (MM) 82 bayside. The angling action is to take place Thursday and Friday, with the post-tournament party and awards presentations slated to begin right after Friday’s fishing at about 4:30 p.m.
The second tournament in the World Championship series is set for June 14-17 and is to specifically target tarpon. The third and final leg, targeting only bonefish, is set for Oct. 4-7. Contestants in the second and third tournaments in the series must fish with a licensed captain.
Individual grand champions are to be named for each of the three tournaments.
Scientific Anglers, a major manufacturer of fly-fishing gear, is the lead sponsor of the series. Florida Keys Outfitters, MM 81.9 bayside in Islamorada, is the series co-sponsor.
Entry fee for the first leg is $200 per angler.
For more information and a complete schedule of tournament events, contact Sue Moret at 305-664-5423.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-322-5397 or 305- 664-4503, or visit the Florida Keys Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
