Anglers from across the country will hunt for some of the most elusive gamefish in the world at the fourth-annual Cheeca Lodge All American Backcountry Tournament, Nov. 12-14. The event raises funds for the locally-based Guides Trust Foundation, and will host two veteran service members to compete as a team in honor of Veteran’s Day. This year, the All American will host a very short but very exclusive live auction featuring a week-long fishing trip for two anglers to Jardines de la Reina, Cuba, courtesy of Avalon Cuban Fishing Centers. This adventure includes two nights in a five-star hotel in Havana (on arrival and departure) and six nights aboard the 110-foot, fully air-conditioned La Tortuga, a double-deck floating hotel with seven deluxe cabins. Five full days and two half-days of fishing are included, as well as meals and drinks.
More information is available at Avalon’s website, www.cubanfishingcenters.com. The live auction will also feature fishing trips, meals and accommodations to two luxury resorts in the Florida Keys – Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada and Tranquility Bay Resort Beach Hotel in Marathon. All money raised at this auction will go directly to the 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. The Guides Trust Foundation 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 GTF website at www.guidestrustfoundation.org.
Entry fee is $2,000 per angler and includes entry into all 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 All American is limited to 25 boats. The kick off is Thursday, Nov. 12, with a beachside banquet, a rules meeting and a silent auction. Fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14.
The tournament will culminate on Saturday, Nov. 14, with an awards ceremony and banquet. Awards for Individual Grand Champion, Individual Runner-Up, Grand Champion Team, Runner-Up Grand Champion Team and Champions in the Fly, Artificial and General Tackle Divisions will be presented.
For more information, All American tournament brochure and entry forms, please contact Julie Olsen at or visit www.cheeca.com/all-american.
Source: Cheeca tourney money aids guides in need | Fishing | KeysNet