May
02
Posted under
fly fishing news by Will Benson
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At the beginning of the week Ted Buchanan was a tarpon virgin. Having participated in the 2 previous annual tarpon tourneys put on by Steve and Tom Trippe, Ted still had yet to catch his first tarpon on fly. All that changed on the official pre-fishing day as Teddy stepped onto Capt. Mark Phillips boat just before sunrise. Mark was hopeful that the early start would yield the mother-load of feeding tarpon and Ted’s curse would easily be lifted. Not so. With a touch of north to the wind and changing pressure, the mother-load of happy feeding tarpon that Mark had located the day before were nowhere to be found. Mark quickly took matters into his own hands and blew off the majestic ideal of catching Ted a tarpon in a remote and serene backcountry location; the one that most anglers picture when the read about tarpon fishing in the keys. It was time to take Teddy to the tarpon brothel and lift the curse. And so it happened… in the canal that we all know because we’ve all been there. It’s not pretty but it had to be done! The curse was lifted by a 4# baby. Ted never though twice or even looked back for that matter. Having felt the silver king for the first time Ted went on to catch another big fish on the oceanside latter that day. Fishing with Mark on day 2 of the tourney, Teddy scored 2 nice fish to take the event and the coveted yellow jacket. Besting a field of 10 anglers, including 2 former keys guides, Ted is the 2008 TITS champion! Congrats to he and his Captain, Mark Phillips. Second and third place went to Tom Trippe and Richard Berlin respectively. Thanks to all the guides who participated in this awesome event. As we look towards next year and another shot at the yellow jacket, remember gentlemen…when your talking about TITS, SIZE MATTERS!