The 10th annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge will be held on Oct. 25. Sponsored by the Sarasota Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers, the tournament will feature a catch, photo and release fly fishing only event.

The tournament will consist of two divisions. An Open Division is reserved for guides and guided anglers. All anglers are eligible to compete in the Open division so they have the opportunity to test their skills with some of the area’s top talent. Eligible species include snook, redfish and spotted sea trout.

Anglers who are not guides or guided can register for the Fly Angler Division. This division will include a variety of species including snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, bluefish, ladyfish, flounder, snapper, Jack crevalle, pompano and permit.

The CCA will supply each angler with a measuring board and a poker chip with the angler’s number on it. When a fish is caught it is laid on the measuring board with the poker chip on the fish and a photograph is taken. The winner in both divisions will be chosen based on a point-per-inch system.

The tournament is an individual tournament meaning there is no pooling or sharing of catch photos. No stringers or fish baskets are allowed, and all fish must be released immediately after they are photographed. The angler must also handle the fish from hook up to landing.

Anglers are encouraged to minimize handling of the fish by being ready to record their catch and wetting their measuring boards and hands. The waters fished must be open to the general public and no natural bait or chumming is permitted.

Anglers are responsible for supplying their own flies, and no scents are allowed. Anglers supply their own cameras and memory sticks. All photos that are not being entered must be deleted before being presented to tournament officials prior to the 3:30 p.m. check-in deadline. Each angler can submit up to 10 photos. Tournament officials are responsible for decisions affecting catch eligibility and scoring.

A mandatory captain’s meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening, Oct 24, at Gecko’s, 351 N. Cattleman Road in Sarasota. Anglers check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. During the captain’s meeting, organizers will review the rules with contestants, and they will be given an opportunity to voice any questions they may have.

An entry fee of $50 includes a BBQ following the tournament. The BBQ and awards ceremony will take place at the Meadows Community Association building, 2004 Longmeadow in Sarasota. This year’s tournament is made possible through generous donations from Orvis, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters. Economy Tackle, Discount Tackle Outlet, Andy Thornal Company, and Simms.

Applications are available at area tackle shops or online at www.ccaflorida.org or www.mangrovecoastflyfishers.com . Call Brent Wilson at 941-356-7691 for more information or Captain Rick Grassett at 941-923-7799.