The 2007 NAFC Catch & Release Contest was unique from all others before it. Like the previous contests, huge prizes and bragging rights were up for grabs—this year, the prize packages topped $10,000 worth of the finest rods, reels lures and more. And, as in all prior competitions, NAFC members proved their tremendous fishing skill, entering almost 2,000 worldclass fish from across the continent.
Where 2007 differed, however, was that it was the first contest to be decided almost entirely by an online member vote. When all of the entries were assembled at Club Headquarters, the NAFC staff whittled down the entries to 25 finalists and put them on the website. From there, the choice was up to you.
When voting closed and the smoke cleared, 10 of the original 25 finalists came out on top, and each of those anglers will receive one of the fantastic tackle packages.
If your catch didn’t make the finals, or wasn’t chosen as one of the winners, don’t get discouraged. The 2008 contest is off to a roaring start. Click here for 2008 Catch & Release Contest rules.
Meet the Winners...
| Click on photos to enlarge |
Alex Hall is no stranger to the top spot in the Angler of the Year race. His 170 total points sealed the deal again in 2007. | | Angler of the Year - Alex Hall
40-Fanatical Colorado angler and NAFC Life Member Alex Hall once again took the Angler of the Year title at the close of the 2008 Catch & Release Contest. He pulled off this amazing repeat victory by entering 100 fish from eight different species, which earned him 170 total points.
His nearest competition, Bill Hegyi, lagged 46 points behind. For his feat, Hall will receive a transferable Life Membership and a commemorative plaque. | | | |
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Runners Up
 | | Bill Hegyi
26-inch brown trout
Lake Michigan, Milwaukee, WI |
|  | | Shane Dugger
22-inch brown trout
So. Holsten R., TN |
|  | | George Chrisman
35-inch tarpon
Big Pine Key, FL |
|  | | James Golla
43-inch northern pike
Innoko River, AK |
|  | | Billy Grotton
20 1/2-inch smallmouth bass
Moose Lake, Augusta, ME |
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2007 Catch and Release Entries (PDF) |
Grand Prize Winners | | Eric Austin
40-inch northern pike;
Mohawk River, NY;
Terminator spinnerbait |
|  | | Randy Beamish
23 7/8-inch brook trout;
Nipigon Riber, ON;
fly fishing a streamer |
|  | | Doug Chute
24-inch smallmouth bass;
Upper Niagara River, NY;
Berkley Goby on drop-shot |
|  | | Marlin Coulombe
51-inch lake trout;
Great Bear Lake, NWT;
trolling AC Plug |
|  | | Dennis Davis
46-inch striped bass;
Atlantic Ocean off Beach Haven, NJ;
live menhaden |
|  | | David Harrison
53-inch blue catfish;
Nickajack Lake, TN;
cut bluegill on bottom |
|  | | Tom Miller
32-inch walleye;
Fox River, WI;
casting Cotton Cordell Super Spot |
|  | | Dennis Musgraves
38-inch steelhead;
Situk River, AK;
Jerry Garcia glow-fly |
|  | | Paul Noles
27 3/4-inch largemouth bass;
private lake, TN;
jig-and-Strike King 3X trailer |
|  | | Anthony Sanders
17 3/4-inch crappie;
public pond, Ohio;
live minnow under float |
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Youth Winners
In addition to the Angler of the Year race and members’ choice grand prize, anglers age 15 and under could also win big in 2007, in a prize division just for them.
The six lucky kids whose names were drawn at random will each receive a Plano 3364-20 tackle bag, which features four 3600 series ProLatch StowAway utility boxes, four spacious zippered exterior side pockets, two mesh side pockets, a comfortable molded handle, shoulder strap. The box comes stuffed with line, lures and more courtesy of the NAFC.
Cory Brown, Beaumont, CA
Carson Dicicco, Watsonville, CA
Alastair Merkel, West Point, NY
Andrew Schuknecht, Tallahassee, FL
Alex Teller, Charlotte, NC
Ethan Wagner, Minersville, PA
 | | Alex Teller
22-inch largemouth bass
private pond, NC |
|  | | Alastair Merkel
15-inch crappie,
Popolopen Lake, NY |
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