The inaugural Bass Bash and All-Species Tournament kicks off September 19 in Portland, Maine at Rising Tide Brewing.
The Bass Bash is an elevated “captains meeting” that will feature live music, food prepared by award-winning chefs, a silent auction, artists, and an update on the American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) Striper Initiative, a program designed to help manage striped bass populations.
Anyone who participates in the All Species tournament will also be given a ticket to attend the Bass Bash.
You can register for the Bash and Tournament here.
All Species Tournament
The All Species Tournament begins on September 20, and will raise money for the ASGA Striper Initiative. Prizes and awards for winners will come from Yeti, Simms, Patagonia, and other fly fishing industry stalwarts.
The All Species tournament is open to any legal game fish that swims in Maine, and a grand prize will be awarded to the angler who catches the most variety of fish species throughout the weekend. Other categories, like best brook trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass, and striped bass, will also receive prizes.
Other tournament rules include:
- This tournament is run largely on the honor system and is fly fishing only. Remember, karma! All fishing must be done within the state of Maine. All catches must be recorded on a smartphone or digital camera and released safely. All fish must be caught on a fly, using a fly rod and reel. Photos should be taken with the provided measuring tape and tournament token (given at check-in).
- Please follow proper fish handling and catch & release techniques. We strongly encourage anglers to review and utilize the Keep Fish Wet Principles.
- For the All Species categories, the total number of species caught determines the winner. For the comprehensive list of qualifying species, see below. Each team or angler may also include up to two ‘Wildcard’ species in their scorecard (these are other species not included in the Qualifying Species List). In the event of a tie, the total number of inches will be tallied. Note that no preference or weight is given to any species in this category.
- 21+ unless accompanied by a guardian
- All anglers must obey Maine fishing laws to participate
- For the Best in Class categories, the longest fish wins!
Anglers may fish from 5 a.m. to dark on the 20th, then 5 a.m. again on the 21st. All anglers have to return to Oxbow Beer Garden by 1:00 p.m. on the 21st to submit their catches.
Join the Fun
Oxbow and Soul Fly, the organizers of the event, encourage any angler to participate in the All Species tournament.
“Sunday is much more than your average awards ceremony or weigh in. The incredible outdoor space in Oxford will be the home for our Fly Fishing Celebration, and all are welcome (not just tournament participants). We will have 6-8 sponsors represented on site, engaging folks with creative activations and some friendly competition. Creative food options will be provided by the excellent Oxbow crew and another local Maine chef, and plenty of Oxbow beer to go around. There will be several bands, an award ceremony, grand prize raffle for anglers, and interactive art displays. This will be a culmination of the weekend; a place to celebrate, share memories, and connect with your favorite members of the industry.”