Angler Jim Bokor Jr., middle, won the Cheeca Lodge & Spa All American Backcountry Tournament held last November. Also pictured are Bill Coteron, left, Cheeca general manager, and Capt. Richard Black. Photo courtesy of “The Fishing Wire”

While emerging technologies provide a new perspective on envisioning a bright future in the world of fishing, some aspects of fishing remain uncomplicated and simple as ever, such as “catch-and-release” fishing. Tournaments supporting this simplicity for fisheries everywhere are increasing in number.

The flow of local area anglers heading south in the winter for a few days in the sun is also increasing and by coincidence, some have done very well in fishing competitions that embrace catch and release. According to “The Fishing Wire,” a daily fishing news information service, two Buffalo-area anglers took home trophy wins for their catch-and-release fishing success.

Fishing near Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Western New York angler Jim Bokor Jr. of Buffalo, fishing with Islamorada guide Captain Richard Black, scored multiple big fish in a catch-and-release tournament format to win the 2023 Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament held Nov. 9-11, 2023.

The tournament uses a unique scoring system for backcountry fishing, recording the catch and release of five target saltwater species, including tarpon, redfish, permit, bonefish and snook, using three different types of tackle: general/bait, artificial/spin and fly fishing. Bokor captured the Grand Champion title with a total of 8,600 points and also won the general/bait division. He released six snook and three redfish on artificial tackle, along with 22 fish on bait – 10 bonefish, five redfish, three tarpon, three snook and one permit – for 4,300 points, and also earned 4,300 bonus points for catching and releasing all five of the tournament’s target species.

Another Buffalo angler, Jeffrey Parish, took the artificial division. Parish tallied 11 catches while fishing with Islamorada’s Captain Dave Denkert.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a nonprofit organization that aims to conserve and restore bonefish and tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy.

This year, this popular two-day, world-class backcountry fishing tournament with a professional guide on your own boat or charter will run from Nov. 7-9. Awards for fly, general tackle (spin/conventional, live bait allowed) and artificial divisions for snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. Entry fee is $1,750 per angler and includes entry for three social events for angler and guest, and guide and guest, plus dockside breakfast each morning and lunches each day for anglers and guides. War heroes will also compete in honor of Veterans Day. Proceeds benefit the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. For more information, registration and sponsorship forms, contact Bill Coteron at 305-587-0574 or bcoteron@cheeca.com.

Outdoors Calendar:

Mar. 8-10: WNY Sport, Travel & Outdoor Expo; Hamburg; www.eriepromotions.com/wny-sport-show.

Mar. 12: Children-In-The-Stream-Youth 4H Fly Fishing Program, FREE, SUNY Fredonia Rockefeller Art Center – Costello Room, 7 – 8:30PM, Info: Alberto Rey: 716-410-7003.

Mar. 15: NYS Fishing seasons CLOSE for walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger musky.

NOTE: Submit calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.