For the fifth time, "Downhill Lie" author and "Miami Herald" columnist Carl Hiaasen, guided by Captain Tim Klein of Islamorada, won top honors in the prestigious Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament. Hiaasen, a resident of Vero Beach, Fla., racked up three weight fish and eight releases to earn the title of grand champion.
On day one, Hiaasen scored one weight fish and three releases. On day two, he tallied one each in the weight and release categories -- following on day three with one weight fish and four releases to clinch the win.
"Tim Klein is a phenomenal guide, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to fish with him all these years," said Hiaasen. "Bonefishing in the Keys hasn't gotten any easier, but Timmy always manages to find some when it counts."
Hiaasen and Klein led a pack of 23 angler-guide teams from six states.
Runner-up grand champion was Tim Mahaffey of Miami, guided by Captain Duane Baker of Islamorada. The duo ended the tournament with one weight fish and seven releases.
The largest bonefish was caught on the final day by Mark Richens of London, England. Guided by Captain Mark Cockerham of Islamorada, Richens also earned the high-point new-angler award.
Together, the tournament's participating anglers tallied 65 releases and eight weight fish.
