It is with great pleasure to announce that the Lydia Ann Fly Masters tournament benefiting the Casting for Recovery tournament is back. Following two excellent events in 2009 and 2010, personal work loads and the lack of a decent location for the tournament forced Rob and me to make the difficult decision to skip 2011. We intend to correct that starting with the 2012 Lydia Ann Fly Masters taking place on Saturday, July 14, 2012. As with the previous tournaments, every dollar raised goes to CFR's Texas Chapter. While the 2010 event boasted over 60 anglers, we have set our goal this year of 75 anglers.
Casting for Recovery offers fly fishing based retreats for women that are the survivors of, or who are diagnosed with, Breast Cancer. Their program combines counseling, medical information, and the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. Their two-and-a-half day retreats are offered at no cost to women at any age and stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery.
This year's tournament will take place at Tarpon Shores Marina, which is located at the site of the old Crabman Marina. Aside from the Marina's obvious excellent location for quick access to the flats, a top-notch renovation of the facility, docks and ramp coupled with friendly owners and staff ensures that the tournament is already off to a great start. If you haven't been by there yet, make a point to do so. We are very grateful to Tarpon Shores Marina for their eagerness to support this year's tournament.
Some past sponsors have already come forward pledging their continued support: Temple Fork Outfitters, the Orvis at Swan Point Landing, and J. Stockard. We are also pleased to announce that Hell's Bay Boatworks will be a sponsor this year. An excellent assortment of Raffle items will be offered, as well as Silent Auction items. Much of what has made the tournament a success in past years has been the generosity of businesses and individuals alike and their willingness to donate items or cash. Remember that Casting for Recovery is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, so any contributions will be properly documented for tax purposes. Alamo Fly Fishers of San Antonio once again has graciously offered their support and resources. Information on becoming a sponsor is included in the Application Packet.
No changes have been made to the tournament's format and rules. There are still separate divisions for boaters and kayakers in the redfish and open species divisions. The application fee will be $50.00 this year, which includes entry into the redfish and open species divisions, t-shirt, sticker, and a 2012 Lydia Ann Fly Masters fly box (fly boxes available for the first 75 registered anglers only). Lady Anglers will also be eligible for a separate set of prizes. The most important detail of all that remains unchanged is that no bad attitudes are welcome.
Attached with this email is the 2012 Application Packet. The tournament website is currently being updated and all additional pertinent information will be present there, including new sponsors and tournament updates. A late registration will take place on Friday, July 13th at both Tarpon Shores Marina and the Orvis at Swan Point Landing.
On behalf of Casting for Recovery, we thank you all for your consideration and look forward to seeing all of you on July 14th. Please spread the word and let's ensure that this year is nothing short of a success for CFR's Texas Chapter!
Below you will also find a link to the tournament website, CFR's website, and a CFR video filmed at Joshua Creek.
Feel free to reach me by cell at 361-290-3691 and/or email at tarponjunkie@yahoo.com - Rob at 210-885-3730, email robburlingame@yahoo.com with any questions or comments or offers of support.
Sincerely, Palmer Simpson & Rob Burlingame
Lydia Ann Fly Masters Tournament
A video about Casting For Recovery
Here is a PDF file you can download. It will give you all the 'skinny' on the tournament.
posted 17 April 2012