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DEL BROWN INVITATIONAL PERMIT TOURNAMENT RESULTS
In a tribute to Del Brown, the undisputed “King of Permit”, anglers from around the country gathered in Key West, Florida to compete in the first annual “Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament”. Widely recognized as angling’s greatest feat, catching permit on fly was developed by Brown, Capt. Steve Huff and others in the last 25 years. Brown has fished extensively for permit and has tallied 487 to date; about 3 times as many as anyone else living or dead.
Mac McGee, a native of Lookout Mountain, TN, won the inaugural event when he caught two permit on fly from the Key West area fishing with guide Kevin Guerin. Catching two permit on fly is an impressive feat for anyone, but in this case possibly even more impressive. The permit that McGee caught, both on Sunday, represented the first two permit on fly ever caught by the angler. |
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McGee and Guerin were each awarded an original bronze for first place. Second place went to Tim Mahaffey of Miami; fishing with Key West guide, Capt. Tom Rowland who also hails from Chattanooga, TN. Mahaffey caught a 25-pound Permit on fly on Sunday to capture second place in this prestigious event
Second place went to Tim Mahaffey of Miami; fishing with Key West guide, Capt. Tom Rowland who also hails from Chattanooga, TN. Mahaffey caught a 25-pound Permit on fly on Sunday to capture second place in this prestigious event. The 25-pound fish also took the Largest Permit award for the weekend. Mahaffey and Rowland both took home an original Jorge Martinez oil painting for second place and a bronze for largest permit.
Renowned angling author and owner of The Saltwater Angler, Jeffrey Cardenas guided Maverick Boat Company President, Scott Deal to third place by catching one permit on fly that received fewer points than Mahaffey's fish. Both Deal and Cardenas received original pencil drawings by the well-known sporting artist, Peter Corbin of New York.
Anglers documented a fish by landing, measuring, photographing and releasing the fish unharmed. All anglers were given identical measuring devices and points were awarded based upon the length of the fish.
"Catching a permit on a fly in shallow water is the most difficult thing an angler can accomplish” said Cardenas. “When it happens it is a lifetime achievement. The Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament pays tribute to the man who has accomplished more than anyone else in this sport. I considered it an honor just to be able to participate."
McGee fished against other anglers invited to participate in the event. Anglers and guides left the Key West Hilton by boat at 7:00am and had to return by 5:00pm. Fishing area was not restricted.
The tournament brought in the heavy hitters with the likes of legendary guides like Mark Krowka, Simon Becker, Doug Kilpatrick, and Greg Poland.
"This was the most exciting and competitive tournament I have ever been in”, said Capt. Tom Rowland. “The weather was not perfect but there were still some fish caught. The best part was spending a little time with Del Brown, the man who invented the sport. Getting together for a tournament will help this sport evolve. It took 2 fish to win this year, I bet it will take 10 in five years as we all learn more about permit."
The event benefited the United Fishing Association (UFA) who promotes the sport of fishing through teaching and taking underprivileged and handicapped children fishing.
The Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament will again be scheduled in Key West for March of 2002. Inquiries should be directed to Charlotte Ambrogio at CSASUN@aol.com. |
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