Wounded Veterans Take Top Honors At Cheeca All American

A dichotomy of weather conditions over two days of competition created challenging circumstances for anglers fishing the fourth-annual Cheeca Lodge All American Backcountry Tournament Nov. 12-14 at Islamorada. However, fishing in the Florida Keys was still respectable, with 21 anglers fishing from 17 boats and releasing 82 fish, including 35 snook, 21 redfish, 15 tarpon, 10 bonefish and one permit.

“The first day was gorgeous, but the second day was windy, cloudy and difficult,” said Individual Grand Champion Jim Bokor of Tavernier, Fla. Bokor fished with Capt. Frank Ortiz and released three tarpon, seven snook and five redfish all on bait, which also won him the General Division Champion honors. “Frankie had a plan, and the plan came through,” Bokor said. “You can be the greatest angler in the world, but if you don’t have a talented guide like Frankie, it doesn’t matter. You won’t win.”

Another hometown legend, Stu Apte, from Tavernier and Bozeman, Mont., was named Runner-Up Grand Champion. Apte released 10 fish: eight reds, one tarpon and one snook, and also took home the Artificial Division Grand Champion trophy. He was fishing with his long-time friend Capt. Steve Thomas.

For the third year in a row, Capt. Mike Makowski led a team of two wounded veterans to Grand Champion Team honors. Retired Capt. David Inbody, of College Station, Texas, and retired Army Airborne Specialist Nathan Wright, from Cypress, Texas, released six fish: three bonefish and two tarpon on fly and one bonefish on bait.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, the All American hosts a team of wounded veterans to fish, and Capt. Makowski donates his time on the water every year. Both of these soldiers suffered serious injuries fighting in Afghanistan and have witnessed casualties of their fellow soldiers.

“I have a hard time with that, and the outdoors seems to be the only thing that takes my mind off of it,” said Wright. “I hunt and fish for my friends who cannot.”

Runner-Up Team Champions were Greg Wambolt, of Littleton, Colo., and Mike Clark, of Meeker, Colo., who fished with Capt. Chuck Schafstall and released five fish: three snook, a redfish and a bonefish.

Michael Sullivan, from Arlington, Va., released an impressive five bonefish on fly to win Grand Champion honors in the Fly Division. He fished with Capt. Duane Baker, who is commodore of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association and Board Member of the Guides Trust Foundation, the tournament’s beneficiary.

A magnificent 25-pound permit won angler Brian McCullis from Denver, Colo. the Most Outstanding Catch award. He was fishing with Capt. Paul Tejera.

Proceeds from the All American go to the Guides Trust Foundation (GTF), a local organization that assists Florida Keys fishing guides in need. The GTF also awards scholarships to local students.  For more information, visit www.guidestrustfoundation.org.

Signature sponsors included Wells Fargo, Abel Reels and Robert-James Sales, Inc., among others.

For more information about the All American, contact Julie Olsen at jolsen@cheeca.com or visit www.cheeca.com/all-american.