April 29, 2009
Day 3
Team Standings:
1- Team Eshelman (Cañaso): 320 points
2- Team Apte & DePriest (Finest Kind): 330 points *
3- Team Millstein & Gibson (Intensity): 110 points
4- Team Keene & Dobbins (Release): 0
Angler Standings:
1-Stu Apte: 330 points
2-Tim Eshelman: 210 points
3-Pete Eshelman: 110 points
4-Terry Gibson: 110 points
On this the final day of fishing, found all four boats with blue marlin in their spreads. Convincing them to eat, was a different matter. Numerous times they came up behind the teasers, but just wouldn’t stay around for the fly. The “Release” with Costa Rica captains Brandon Keene & David Dobbins on board raised five blue marlin, hooking one and unfortunately didn’t bill it so the fish was not scored. The boat did gain a marlin release for the day. They raised two sails, but again neither one would take the fly
It was Stu Apte and Tim Eshelman that had the only sailfish hooked and released this day. This was Stu’s 200th fly caught sailfish. Unfortunately, Stu's partner Dale DePriest did not qualify with a single fish for the Top Team Prize (*). Also, this day Pete Eshelman, the team of Dr. Gerald Millstein and outdoor writer Terry Gibson went scoreless. It wasn’t because they didn’t have the opportunity – the fish just had lockjaw!
This was the toughest fishing tournament in recent memory, where only seven bill fish were caught in three days of fishing. When it’s bad, it’s really bad. There is no explanation for it - the water temps are in the high 80’s. Not just in Guatemala, but all the way down to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste.
Simms Fishing Products provided Angler Bags containing Solarflex® Shirts , hats, waterproof pouches and Dry Creek™ Tournament Totes; premium fly lines from Cortland Line Co; sun protection from Ocean Potion; and certificates for Crocs footwear to each of the four boat captains, eight anglers and observers. In addition, the mates received Crocs footwear certificates.
Trophies & Awards:
Team trophy – brothers Tim & Pete Eshelman of a King Sailfish Trophy Mount
2nd place team – Stu Apte & Dale DePriest of a King Sailfish Trophy Mount
3rd place team – Terry Gibson & Gerald Millstein – King Sailfish Trophy Mount which is prominently displayed at Casa Vieja Lodge for all to see.
Top Team – Pete & Tim Eshelman – one each 24kt Gold Pendants with chains from Stu & Jeannine Apte.
Individual awards – Stu Apte, Tim & Pete Eshelman one each 30lb Boga Grips
Stu Apte & Dale DePriest - one each BB&T – Twin turbine 1213 reels by Cortland
.A Jim Teeny gift certificate to 2nd mate Efron on the Finest Kind. Additional gifts to Capt. Chico Alvarenga, his mates Jose & Carlos.
The tough luck awards – a Simms Angler bag filled with various items including Ocean Potion sunscreen, hats, Croc’s certificates went to Capts. Brandon Keene, David Dobbins and Dr. Gerald Millstein
Our thanks to the following sponsors:
Stu & Jeannine Apte
Jim at Jim Teeny Inc.
Doug at King Sailfish Mounts
Nate Dablock at Cortland Line Co
Joanna Spina at Ocean Potion Products
Gary Alldredge at Eastaboga Tackle, Inc.
Aaron Theabolt at Simms Fishing Products
Tim Gray, Mark Margolis & George Foti at Crocs, Inc.
The Turner family, the staff and crew at Casa Vieja Lodge
The captains and mates of the Cañaso, Finest Kind, Intensity & Release
Stu Apte Fly Tournament
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