Invitational Fishwater Cup tarpon tournament results announced
Last week, 22 anglers from across the United States and 11 local guides came together in Boca Grande for the Fourth Annual Invitational Fishwater Cup. The three-day fly-fishing tarpon tournament was initiated by local Boca Grande guide Mark Becton and angler Michael LeBourgeois.
The end of season tournament gives two-person teams of anglers and guides a final chance to catch a prized tarpon on a fly.
Michael and his teammate, Scott Schlesinger, and guide, Tommy Locke, were the Cup’s winners. Overall, 11 tarpon were released and many more hooked.
While the fly-fishing was the main focus, the event was also used as an opportunity to educate and update the anglers about the missions of two worthwhile organizations: Captains for Clean Water, and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.
The Fishwater Cup guides and anglers donated $5,000 to each organization.
Pictured, top row from left, Darrell Horn, John Lancaster, Jonathan Erwin, Chris Keller, Zeke Sieglaff, Lew Morgan, Austin Lowder, Leo Henriques, Austin Brockenbrough, Edward Herring, Mark Becton, Sainy Taha, Hunter Brown, Courtney Powers, Nicky Runnels, Tommy Locke, Parker O’Bannon, John Alfond, Parker Blalock, Jeff McDowell, Scott Hudspeth, Jonathan Robert, Charles LeBourgeois
Bottom row, from left, Patrick Waterhouse, Pete Hudson, Chas Madden, Jacob Szatkowski, William Edwards, Scott Schlesinger, Michael LeBourgeois, John Jay Charpentier, Travis Lucas.
Missing from picture: Laurence Hall
At top, winners Scott Schlesinger, Tommy Locke and Michael LeBourgeois after the tournament, with trophy.
