TOURNAMENT RULES

Failure to comply to any of these rules can and likely will result in an immediate or delayed disqualification.

BOATING RULES

All boats must have running lights in full working order for blast off.

Livewells must be inspected prior to blast off by a tournament volunteer. 

If you do not have a livewell, see drift boat rules for more information on what to do. 

Life vests must be warn at any point if a gas engine or main engine is running. 

GEAR RULES

No conventional gear, including bait scent will be allowed on board what so ever. Boat owners/participants must be willing to allow a boat search for any conventional gear if need be. 

Only fly rods & fly reels can be used. 12.5’ maximum rod length. No spinning or casting rods may be used at any point, even if just fishing for fun. If a lure/bait hits the water with any conventional gear being used, the boat will be automatically disqualified. 

Only fly lines may be used. Anglers cannot use mono, fluoro, or braid as a replacement to the fly line. The only mono line that will be permitted would be for running line to a reasonable shooting head line, and to the leader itself.

Angler’s must stay in the boat at all times while fishing. However it is ok to get off for a bathroom break.

Leaders with strike indicators may be no longer than 18’ max.

Leaders for streamers or anything else must be no longer than 9’ max.

Culling balls must be ones designed with some sort of a clip. Setups that require piercing fish’s mouths will not be permitted. 

Weigh in bags will be covered by the tournament. Any fish weighing 5lbs or more will need it’s own bag at the time of weigh in. 

FLY RULES

Flies must be within reason. There must be feathers, or furr, or synthetics, using typical or even a-typical fly materials. Said materials must be tied on using thread. Thick single pieces of rubber or plastic over 1/8” thick will not be permitted on flies. No senkos or roboworms, tube jigs, etc on hooks. If you think the fly could be put in to question, it is your job to bring this up to the tournament director prior, showing the fly.

Any added weight to a fly over 1/8oz is not permitted. 

Flies cannot have any scent added. 

PENALTIES

Anglers will have roughly 8 hours from blast off to check in time. Late penalties will be 1/2lb per minute. 

If any fish are deceased, there will be a 1.5lb penalty.

DRIFT BOAT RULES

Drift boat team may consist of up to 3 people with one designated person to row, and row only. This person is considered the trolling motor. The rower cannot fish. If the drift boat has only 2 anglers, the rower is ok to fish. 

Drift boats must legally have bow and stern lights for blastoff. Easy clamp on lights powered by AA batteries can be purchased for cheap on Amazon. Click the button below for the link. 

Drift boats must also have a live well. A simple live well can be rigged with a designated ice chest & aerators. Water must be replenished to some degree every 15-20 minutes while fish are inside. Drift boat’s must have at least a good bucket to replenish water.

The tournament director will contact all drift boat captains prior to tournament to make sure the fish care protocol is up to par. 

Drift boats will blast off last for safety reasons.