The Shallow Water Shootout—A Saltwater Duel on the Flats of Deep Water Cay.

Deep Water Cay Club in Grand Bahamas hosted the first annual Shallow Water Shootout July 20 – 23, 2006. Teams of members and pros from The Greenbrier Sporting Club, Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay and Deep Water Cay Club fished against each other with fly and spinning rods in the all-release bonefish tournament.
The Turks & Caicos Sporting Club were the Grand Champs with their team releasing 44 bonefish. The Turks team, Jan Forszpaniak, Tony Kemper, Pat Worsham and Martee Doverspike put on a good show and were way out in front after the first day’s fishing. “Fantastic fishing,” said Forszpaniak, who hails from Naples, Fl. “This is truly one of the greatest bonefish habitats in the world.” Jan and Tony led the Turks team with 20 bones on fly after the first day. The duo donned yellow jerseys as they continued their Tour de Bone during the second day’s fishing. Tournament rules stipulated that a bonefish had to be at least 15 inches in fork length to qualify. This is the equivalent to a 2.5-pound fish. Jan also caught a 30-inch bonefish that was estimated at 9 pounds.
Henry Koch, fishing for the Deep Water Cay team was the top spin angler landing 10 bonefish. Steve Fischer also fished for Deep Water and caught 10 bones on fly. All together there were 127 bonefish caught by the 12 anglers fishing on club teams.
Janice and Lewis Whiting from Okeechobee, Fl, fished for The Greenbrier Sporting Club. It was the first bonefishing experience for the Whitings who caught bonefish on fly and spinning tackle. Their two-day totals helped Greenbrier win second place.
Inclement weather was a slight factor for the tournament. Intermittent showers and cloudy conditions did not make for ideal sight-fishing conditions but anglers and guides alike were up to the challenge. “I think the cloudy weather makes the tournament more interesting,” said senior guide Walter Reckley. “The guides have to work harder and the anglers have to be more focused…I like it!”
“We had a great group of anglers, and the staff at Deep Water helped to make it a memorable event for all of those who participated,” said Fuzzy Davis, tournament chairman. “I think all of our anglers are looking forward to making the trip to Jackson Hole when the tournament moves to Snake River Sporting Club in 2007.”
A perpetual bronze trophy, created by sculptor Kendall Vansant, will soon find its resting place at Calico Jack Café at Turks & Calicos Sporting Club. If you happen to visit Ambergris Cay during the coming year you may want to stop by and touch the trophy. Who knows, it may bring good fishing luck for the year to come.


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