Final Results 2005

Dates for Baja on the Fly’s next “Jacks or Better” tournament are Oct. 22-27, 2006; “Sails and Tales” will be Jan. 18-23, 2007. Visit http://www.zihuatanejoflyfishing.com/  for additional information.

ZIHUATANEJO, Mex., Dec. 4, 2005 – Cecila “Pudge” Kleinkauf, Anchorage, was the first to strike pay-dirt a scant 13 minutes into the game as Baja on the Fly’s 2005 catch and release Sails and Tales flyrod sailfish tournament got underway yesterday.

Gordon P. Henriksen, Denmark, followed behind Kleinkauf, hooking up only five minutes after the Alaskan had released her fish.

Picture perfect weather greeted the Sails and Tales contestants as they arrived at the Zihuatanejo Municipal pier before sun-up for the first tournament day. Contestants and guides wasted little time boarding their respective pangas and speeding out for the hot spot outside the harbor entrance. It was teasers in the water at 7 a.m.

Tournament Director and host Gary Graham, Escondido, Calif., was “teasing” for Kleinkauf. “The brilliant neon blue sail came up behind the long teaser intent on inhaling it as I reeled frantically keeping the hookless lure just out of its reach until the fish was practically in the prop-wash. Like a dance orchestrated perfectly, the teaser was snatched away, the boat came out of gear and Kleinkauf cast her Rainey fly where the teaser had been,” said Graham.

In an instant, the sailfish had the fly in its mouth was headed toward the harbor. Twenty-nine minutes later she had her second ever sailfish on the fly and the lead for the two-day event.

Henricksen managed to tag and release his Pacific sail in just less than 11 minutes.

Joe Dowdell, Marathon, Fla., yesterday’s highliner, had his chance, when he hooked a fish later in the day only to have it come off a few minutes into the fight.


ZIHUATANEJO, Mex., Dec. 7, 2005 – Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, Anchorage, began the final day of Baja on the Fly’s “Sails and Tales” catch-and-release sailfish tournament hoping to protect her lead by adding another catch to her score.

Midday, she had her opportunity and it was fish-on. Guide Ed Kunze was so sure she was going to land another sailfish that he was patting her on the back. Then, the fish came unbuttoned. With poor radio reception, it was impossible to determine how the other anglers were faring for the day.

While the weather cooperated perfectly for the entire event and everyone had plenty of shots the first day, action slowed for the finale.

As all the boats returned to the pier after “lines out,” Kleinkauf discovered she had won the event, despite the loss of her fish earlier in the day. “As it turned out, all the competitors had opportunities for sailfish the last day, but in the end it was more ‘tales than sails,’” said tournament director Gary Graham.

At the Awards Dinner in Zihuatanejo’s Casa Bahia, winners and prizes were:

First Place – Kleinkauf: Abel 12-weight rod and Super12 reel, Scientific Angler “Mastery Series” flyline and backing, Kaenon eyewear, invitation to IGFA Rolex Tournament in Cabo San Lucas in May, 2006. NOTE: Kleinkauf declined the invitation to the Rolex and it was awarded to the second place winner. http://www.igfa.org/tour_os_2006ud.asp

 

Second Place – Joe Dowdell, Marathon, Fla.: Abel 12-weight rod and Super 12 reel, Scientific Angler “Mastery Series” flyline and backing, invitation to IGFA Rolex Tournament in Cabo San Lucas in May, 2006.

Accuracy Casting – Sandie Arnold, Anchorage: Kaenon Eyewear.

Accuracy Casting Runner-Up – Gordon P. Henriksen, Denmark: Rainy Bluewater flies, Scientific Angers Billfish Leaders, Newport Blue Tournament Shirt.

Winning Captain – Martin Cortez, Zihuatanejo, panga “Isamar”: Kaenon Eyewear, Newport Blue Tournament Shirt, Sol sunscreen.



 

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rev. 01/05/2006