The eighth annual Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association Saltwater Fishing Tournament was August 11-12, and despite some unsettled weather, a striped bass, two bluefish, and a number of mackerel and pollock were entered.

The winning striper, a 22-incher, was taken by Josh Miller, who received a check for $200. Steve Rubicam caught the winning bluefish on a live mackerel, and also took home a $200 check. Troy Cushing, who won the Striper Division last year, caught the second largest bluefish, worth $100.

Again this year, the juniors dominated the event. Abigail Little caught the biggest mackerel and walked off with $50. Joey Gray came in second and took home $25, and Johnny Gray, Sydney Meader, and Tommy Gray caught the third, fourth and fifth largest mackerel respectively, each good for a $10 prize.

In the Junior Harbor Pollock Division, Drew Meader came in first and took home $50. Sydney Meader caught the second largest, good for $25, and Courtney Meader and Johnny Gray came in third and fourth, each taking home $10 for their fish.

Area businesses responded generously with a number of gift certificates and checks that either helped underwrite the fish prizes or were awarded as door prizes at the conclusion of the tournament. Contributions included $100 from First Federal Savings; $100 from Frank Luke at Paul E. Luke, Inc.; $25 from Harold Bishop Agency; $25 from The First; $25 from Tindal & Callahan; a $100 gift certificate from Carousel Marina; a $50 gift certificate from Rocktide; a $25 gift certificate from the Boothbay Lobster Wharf; and a membership to the Boothbay Railway Museum.

The tournament organizers wanted to extend a special thanks to Carl and Donna Jordan of the White Anchor Tackle Shop, headquarters for the event, for their generous support for the eighth straight year. The Jordans donated beautiful Daiwa and Penn spinning rod/reel combos, a Simms fly vest, and various other tackle items as door prizes, plus $250 in cash to help underwrite the cash prizes. 

Special thanks also go out to Todd and Kim Simmons of the Boothbay Lobster Wharf for hosting the weigh-ins on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Fish & Game Association's Life Skills Scholarship Fund as well as other Association programs. Plans are already underway for the 2013 tournament, to be held next August.