In 1997 when the first Bahamas World Invitational Bonefishing Championship was held on the beautiful island of Exuma, it was the beginning of the Bahamian government`s aggressive initiative to develop and promote fly fishing (especially bonefishing) in The Islands Of The Bahamas.

Since then, the Ministry of Tourism has sponsored fish-offs and a National Championship on most of the major islands in The Bahamas in an effort to identify a Champion to represent The Bahamas at trade fishing shows throughout the United States. The catch and release tournament also serves as a means to celebrate the success of Bahamian Bonefishing Guides at the end of their annual fishing season.

This year`s World Invitational Bonefishing Championship will be the first since 1997, when international fly fisherman are being invited to compete with the top scorers of the Nationals in a two-day tournament of fierce competition. Cash prizes of $5000, $3000 and $1500 will be awarded to first, second and third place winners respectively.

The event takes place on Grand Bahama Island at Pelican Bay Resort with eleven of The Bahamas` best Guides participating in the National Championship on Thursday, October 31st. On Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd, nine fly fishermen from the United States along with the nine top scorers from the Nationals will compete in the World Invitational Championship for the title of overall Champion.

Another segment of the Championship will be a fun tournament comprising VIPs in the persons of government officials, local media and media representatives from Florida Sportsman Magazine, ESPN, The Miami Herald and Fly Fishing In Salt Water.

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