Chicago Angler Wins Abel "On Your Honor" Tarpon Tournament

A 140-pound Homasassa tarpon earned Webster Young a trip to California, where he’ll watch the craftsmen at Abel make a fly reel of his choice. Abel’s tournament, which is the first that we know of to be based on an honor system, also gave out some nice prizes to Tim Mahaffey (second place), Michael Greve (third) and Jeff Ferguson (fourth).
Read the extended entry for the press release and full results.

August 9, 2007
CHICAGO FLY-FISHER WINS ABEL TARPON TOURNAMENT
CAMARILLO, Calif. – Webster Young, a Chicago fly-fisher, is the grand prize winner in the Abel “On Your Honor” Tarpon Tournament. It’s the only fishing tournament with no entry fee conducted when and where the angler wants to fish – with no ceremonies, no weigh-in – operated strictly by honesty and trust. Young caught and released a 140-pound tarpon on June 7 while fishing with Capt. Dan Malzone in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Homosassa, Fla.
The tarpon was caught on an Abel Super 10 reel.
The winner and a guest will be flown to California, hosted by Abel, and given the reel of his choice. Young will watch the progression of his personal reel being precision machined, anodized and finished. Value of the prize is approximately $3,000, according to Don R. Swanson, Abel vice president.
First runner-up is Tim Mahaffey, Miami, Fla., fishing on May 21 with Capt. Rick Murphy in Islamorado. Mahaffey’s tarpon weighed 130-pounds. He was using an Abel 4.5N model reel. Mahaffey will receive a gold anodized Abel pliers/knife combo set valued at $500.
Second runner-up is Michael Greve, Odense, Denmark, fishing with Capt. Capt. Bruce Pollock from Islamorada, Fla., on June 4. The fish weighed 99.53 pounds and was caught on an Abel 12W reel. Greve will receive a pair of silver anodized #4 Abel pliers valued at $225.
Third runner-up is Jeff Ferguson, Bozeman, Mont., while fishing with guide Aaron Snell at Key West, Fla. His 70-pound fish was caught on June 18 using an Abel Super 10 reel. Ferguson will be awarded a pair of bronze anodized #4 Abel pliers valued at $200.
Complete Abel On Your Honor Tarpon Tournament Results
Tarpon Tournament Champion
Webster Young
Chicago, Ill.
Guide
Capt. Dan Malzone
Tarpon Weight and Size
140 pounds
78 inches long
38 inches girth
Date of Catch
June 7, 2007
Reel Model Used
Abel Super 10
Location of catch
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Homosassa, Fla.
1st Runner Up
Tim Mahaffey
Miami, Fla.
Guide
Captain Rick Murphy
Tarpon Weight and Size
130 pounds
72 ¼ inches long
38 inches girth
Date of Catch
May 21, 2007
Reel Model Used
Abel #4.5N
Location of Catch
Islamorada, Fla.
Gold anodized Abel #4 Pliers/Knife Combo set. $500 value.
2nd runner up
Michael Greve
Odense, Denmark
Guide
Capt. Bruce Pollock
Tarpon Weight and Size
99.53 pounds
65 inches long
35 inches girth
Date of Catch
June 4, 2007
Reel Model Used
Super 12W
Location of Catch
Islamorada, Fla.
Silver anodized Abel #4 Pliers. $225 value.
3rd runner up
Jeff Ferguson
Bozeman, Mont.
Guide
Aaron Snell
Tarpon Weight
70 pounds
Date of Catch
June 18, 2007
Reel Model Used
Abel Super 10
Location of Catch
Key West, Fla.
Bronze anodized Abel #4 Pliers. $200 value
Bennett J. Mintz PR/Adv.
22370 Mission Circle
Chatsworth, California 91311
818.718.8566 718.1958 Fax
[email protected]