The 2023 Triple Tail Tournament sponsored by the Eastern Shore Fly Fishing Club has come and gone.  This was the fourth year for the successful tournament that included some 34 boats and 90 anglers.  A total of 13 triple tails were caught and tagged, benefitting the Gulf Coast Research Lab at Grand Bay.

The hot weather did not seem to affect the fishing enthusiasm, but probably had something to do with the lower numbers.

Jeffrey St. John and his father, Sam, were the big winners with the most fish for their third win in four years.  They obviously have a secret formula.

The Gulf Coast Fly Fishing School was lucky enough to tie for first place with the largest triple tail, Jay Toffler was a spotter on Todd Dempsey’s black jack boat and Tom Dempsey was the angler who caught the fish.

All fish were tagged and released to help the research program on triple tails.

After all the festivities of fishing, a night with a nice band and Moe’s BBQ and prizes culminated another successful year.  Danielle Davidson and Noble Davidson are to be doubly congratulated for their hard work for initially establishing this fishing tournament 4 years ago and continuing to follow it with hours of input and work. 

Programs like this only enhance our fishery along the Gulf Coast and we are lucky to live where we live.  I failed to mention that this was a “fly fish only – no conventional tackle” for a very unique tournament.  Come see us next year and fish in the Triple Tail Tournament.