STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More Fishing and Boating

• Seaworthy: Good night baby, sleep tight
• On The Hook: Right place, wrong time?
• Federal group proposes protection rules for endanged smalltooth sawfish

Share and Enjoy [?]

Inclement weather didn’t stop 45 teams from competing in the 5th annual Romp in the Swamp Fishing Tournament on Saturday, hosted by Calusa Island Marina in Goodland.

“We were glad to host the event,” said Dock Master Paul Waterhouse. “We have recently had an expansion and in the future will be adding a hotel, restaurant and swimming pool. We’re looking forward to hosting many events like this one.”

The event was a fundraiser put on by the East Naples Fire Department. Organizers Bill Packard, president of Local 2693, and East Naples Lieutenant Terry Anderson, were pleased with the outcome.

“Although the number of entrants is down this year, we still had a good turnout,” Anderson said. “We hope we can get more participants next year to help support our fundraiser.”

The East Naples Fire Department has long been known for reaching out to help those in need. Funds raised from this event will help support the Lely High School girls swim team as well as an annual scholarship that is given to a Lely High School senior who wishes to attend the Firefighters Academy.

Proceeds will also go to assist families of local firefighters. A firefighter in Golden Gate and another in Corkscrew have sick children who are being helped.

Entrants were required to catch a snook and a redfish. The top prize of $5,000 was given to the team whose fish had the highest combined weight of all catches.

The first place team for 2008 was Backwater Dreams, consisting of Captain Jerry Kernan, Steven Stokes and David Throesch. The combined weight of their catch was 16.46 pounds.

When asked about their winning technique, Throesch said they are patient, and take things slow and steady.

“We have a sweet spot that we are keeping secret,” he laughingly said.

With a combined weight of 15.87 pounds, the second place prize of $2,500 went to the team of Peter Babb. The third place prize of $1,250 went to the team of Jesse Karen, which had a combined weight of 15.30 pounds.

Packard explained that they also hold a Calcutta, which is a fun competition among the anglers. This year the winner was the team that had the most spots on the redfish. The teams who participated paid $50 each. Team Strickland won the prize of $1,450 with 12 spots.

The prizes were awarded after a buffet dinner at Stan’s Idle Hour Restaurant in Goodland. Stan’s will be open again to the public starting Oct. 4.

More information about this event can be found at rompintheswamp.com.