Greetings from Casa Vieja Lodge, Guatemala:
I just got home after a short 3 days of fly fishing for Sailfish aboard the Casa Vieja Lodge Vessel, Intensity, in Puerto San Jose Guatemala. I joined Jim Turner, (Owner of Casa Vieja Lodge) to fish a practice day on Monday, then to fish as a team in the Presidential Fly Challenge, fly fishing tournament. The Presidential Fly Challenge was a team fly fishing tournament run by Joan Vernon and headquartered at the Casa Vieja Lodge. Five teams of world class Billfish fly anglers participated in this great two day event, Jim and I were lucky enough to win the first daily prize, The overall team point championship, top boat, and I caught the last fish of the last tournament day. We were scheduled to fish aboard "Release" however the refit with new engines, paint, and all new electronics, was not quite finished. Jim and I switched over to the "Intensity" (one of my favorite vessels) with Captain Mike Sheeder and with a little luck and a great crew, we did very well.
On Monday, November 12, with five boats fishing on a practice day there were 4 Blue Marlin caught on fly, with world class angler, Nick Smith, releasing two Blues in one day on 20 pound tippet, and my good friend Cam Sigler releasing a 200 pound plus Blue Marlin (his first Blue Marlin on fly) aboard Canaso, with Captain Jason Brice at the helm. When the tournament started the Marlin fishing slowed a little however everyone got at least one shot at a Blue Marlin on fly.
The parties and awards banquet was awesome, and the overall tournament was a huge success. I for one would like to thank Joan Vernon (tournament director) Jim Turner (Owner Casa Vieja Lodge and the Fins N' Feathers Fleet) along with Antonio (Casa Vieja Lodge Manager) and his staff for a great event. Congratulations to all of the teams, Captains and Mates, I can't wait to get back to Guatemala for more great fly fishing for Billfish. Below is a list of the results of the 2007 Presidential Fly Challenge! More Reports to Follow!
Presidential Challenge Fly Fishing Tournament
Casa Vieja Lodge
Puerto San Jose Guatemala
November 13 and 14, 2007
Team 1. Vessel Canaso Captain Jason Brice
Nat Harris from North Carolina
Cam Sigler from Washington, Team "Never Miss em"
Team 2 Team "Releasers", Vessel Affinity, Captain Chris Sheeder
Scott Lund, from Wellington FL
Jim Gill, From West Palm Beach
Team 3 Team "Casa Vieja Lodge" Vessel Intensity, Captain Mike Sheeder
Jim Turner from Vero Beach FL
Jake Jordan from Havelock NC
Team 4 Team "Old Reliable", Captain Chip Schaefer
Angler Nick Smith from Stuart FL
Team 5 Team "Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club" Vessel Spindrift, Captain Nicho
Roy Cronacher from Naples
Wayne Sandlin from Vero Beach FL
Day one results
Team 1 1 Sailfish = 100 points (Cam Sigler)
Team 2 2 Sailfish = 200 points (Jim 1 & Scott 1)
Team 3 4 Sailfish = 400 points (Jake 2 & Jim 2)
Team 4 000 points
Team 5 1 Sailfish = 100 points (Wayne)
Day 2 Results
Team #1 = 1 Sailfish 100 points (Cam Sigler)
Team #2 = 2 Sailfish 200 points (Jim Gill)
Team # 3 = 3 Sailfish 300 points (2 Jake 1 Jim)
Team #4 = 1 Marlin, 1 Sailfish = 600 points (Nick)
Team #5 = 2 Sailfish 200 points (Roy)
Total Results:
Overall Tournament Champion: “Team Casa Vieja, Vessel, Intensity, Captain Mike Sheeder, Anglers Jim Turner and Jake Jordan (700 points)
Second Place "Team Old Reliable", Vessel Old Reliable, Captain Chip Schaefer, Angler, Nick Smith (600 points)
Third Place, "Team Releasers", Vessel Affinity, Captain Chris Sheeder, Anglers, Scott Lund and Jim Gill
First Place Captain Mike Sheeder, Vessel Intensity,
Second Place Captain Chip Schaefer, Vessel Old Reliable,
Third Place Captain Chris Sheeder, Vessel Affinity
Top Angler: Nick Smith 600 Points
Second Angler: Jake Jordan 400 Points
Third Angler: Jim Turner 300 on time
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