Though he has won other tournaments, fly angler Baker Bishop of Sullivan's Island, S.C., fulfilled his ambition to take top honors at a major fishing challenge by winning the three-day Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament that ended May 20.
Despite strong winds in the Florida Keys backcountry, Bishop and his guide, Captain Brian Helms of Homestead, Fla., took the lead on day two, catching three weight fish. Bishop added one more weight fish and one release on the final day to move into the winners' circle. The pair captured grand champion team honors as well as Bishop's individual award.
The tournament's first runner-up was Rob Luehrs of Riverside, Conn., guided by Captain Kris Suplee of Marathon, Fla.
Second runner-up was Sam Kaufman of Evergreen, Colo., guided by Captain Steve Friedman of Islamorada. Kaufman caught the tournament's largest single tarpon, a 120-pounder.
The tournament's 27 angler-and-guide teams released a total of 34 tarpon and brought in 15 weight fish.
