The Third Annual Cheeca Lodge All American Backcountry Tournament will be held Nov. 13-15 by Cheeca Lodge & Spa on Islamorada, Florida Keys. This prestigious event draws discerning anglers from all over the world, and will raise funds for the locally-based Guides Trust Foundation.
Anglers will compete for trophies and prizes for releasing five different species of fish: snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. Tackle divisions include fly, artificial and general, and both individual and team trophies will be awarded. Fishing headquarters is World Wide Sportsman, just a half mile from Cheeca.
Entry fee is $2,000 per angler and includes entry into three social events for the angler, a guest and the angler’s guide and his guest. It also includes a continental breakfast dockside at World Wide Sportsman each morning and boxed lunches for anglers and guides.
The beneficiary this year is the Guides Trust Foundation, which assists Florida Keys fishing guides in need, helping them meet their financial obligations in times of crisis or injury. The GFT also awards scholarships to local students. For more information and donation forms, visit the website at www.guidestrustfoundation.org
The 2014 All American will feature a slightly different format this year. It will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 13, with an welcome reception starting at 5:30 p.m. A rules meeting will follow at 7 p.m., and all guides must attend.
Fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15. On Friday, tournament participants will attend a barbecue on Cheeca’s beach. The tournament will culminate on Saturday with an awards ceremony and early awards banquet beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Awards will be presented in the form of 16 exclusive, signature trophies.
For more information, All American tournament brochure and entry forms, contact Julie Olsen at (305) 517-4449, e-mail jolsen@cheeca.com or visit www.cheeca.com/all-american.
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