the Winners of the 2007-08 Hat/Photo Contest!!

Beginning in June 2007 and ending in November 2008, the first-ever Leland Hat/Photo Contest solicited over two hundred entries.

The contest included seven different categories, designed to encompass several important American game fish – Trout, Steelhead, Stripers, Tarpon, and Bonefish – but to also allow room for some creativity through two additional categories. The first, 'Explorer,' was conceived as a venue for anglers landing fish in faraway locales; the second, 'Exotic,' would reward unexpected, truly unique catches that one would likely never repeat. For each of the seven winners, an appropriately sized Tibor Fly Reel, arguably the finest in the world, will be custom engraved. (Some commentators are suggesting it might have been the hat that brought these anglers the catch of a lifetime...) We've had some tough judging, but without further ado, the inaugural contest’s long-awaited winners are:

 

Winner of: BIG TROUT

Name: Nelson Erdman

Location: Kenai, AK

Specs: 31.5" by 22"

When: Aug. 22, 2008

 

 

Winner of: BIG STEELHEAD

Name: David Best

Location: Clearwater ID

Specs: 34" by 19.5"

When: Mar. 8, 2008

 

Winner of: BIG BONEFISH

Name: Duane Baker

Location: Islamorada, FL

Specs: 11.5 lbs

When: Jun. 19, 2008

 

 

Winner of: BIG TARPON

Name: Brian Giffith

Location: Costa Rica

Specs: 59" by 33"

When: Sept. 23, 2008

 

 

Winner of: BIG STRIPER

Name: Bryan Sander

Location: Block Island, RI

Specs: 33" by 21"

When: Jul. 6, 2008

 

 

Winner of: EXPLORER

Name: JT Taylor

Location: Baghdad “Greenzone”, Iraq

Species: Grass Carp

When: Mar. 3, 2008

        

        

 

 

Winner of: MOST EXOTIC        

Name: Sean Mah

Location: Queensland, Australia

Species: Eastern Shovelnose Ray

When: Oct. 10, 2008

 

 

 

   

 

 

THE CATEGORIES AND THE PRIZES:

• Biggest Trout wins you a custom Tailwater
• Biggest Steelhead wins you a custom Everglades
• Biggest Bonefish wins you a custom Everglades
• Biggest Striper wins you a custom Riptide
• Biggest Tarpon wins you a custom Pacific
• Explorer or Furthest distance from the Leland Shop wins you a custom Everglades
• Most Exotic Fish wins you custom Everglades

 

THE RULES:

1. Send us your fish picture. Be sure to be wearing a Leland hat!
2. Indicate the fly and fly rod used to catch the fish. 
3. Provide the length and girth measurements. 
4. For explorer/distance category, have a recognizable landmark in the photo.
5. Indicate your name, address, email, location, and date caught.
6. Send photos to contest@flyfishingoutfitters.com or Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters,

Attn Big Fish, 463 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108. Fish stories are welcome!

 

THE FINE PRINT:

– Photos will be used for website or print use and will not be returned.

– Release the fish.
– You can enter as many categories and as many times as you like, but you are limited to winning one reel.
– We will use your measurements to calculate the largest fish, but reserve the right to disqualify anyone for a fish story.
– Any one who complains will be disqualified, because life is fun and we will keep it that way.
– We will ship reels to winners at no cost anywhere in the US, and at our cost for international addresses.
– All rulings will be determined by the Leland panel of judges, will be irrefutable, and will be final.
– Leland employees can’t play. Buds and Bros can enter, but really aren’t in the running (barring a truly outstanding catch).