ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — John Rix of Shoreham, England, escaped the frigid United Kingdom to win top honors at the third annual Cheeca Lodge All-American Backcountry tournament that ended Nov. 15.
Guided by Islamorada’s Captain Chris Jones, Rix released six tarpon on fly (which qualified for the most points) for the overall win as well as winning the fly division.
Fishing legend and author Stu Apte, with partner Art Webb of Virginia Beach, Va., earned grand champion team honors, guided by Captain Steve Thomas. Apte’s eight snook and three redfish earned him the artificial division champion trophy, while Webb released four snook and one redfish on fly.
