Congratulations to the 2007 winners:

Club Winner of the Korkers Cup – High Hill Striper Club

Largest Striper - John Curran of Mid-Island Surfcasters

Largest Blue - Andy Silver of Farragut Striper Club

Korkers Cup: 2004 Gathering of Anglers

By Tom Melton

 Some may feel I am biased in penning this article as my club – Great South Bay Anglers – came out on top this year. However, The Fisherman has been a supporter of this – the third installment – since it began.

According to Mike Larmony of Mid-Island Surfcasters, “We (Mid-Island) started the event six years ago. At first it was just an end of season barbecue on the beach. All of the surf clubs were invited to attend. It turned out to be an enormous success, everyone had a great time and friendships among the clubs were established. In the following year – “The Second Gathering" - we added a contest before the BBQ.

Due to the success, we decided to make it a more formal event, for the past three years we have been hosting the Gathering of Anglers in Montauk, a location that we thought would be a worthy place to have it. Every year it seems that it takes on a bigger and better life.”

Mike also said, “The contest grew over the first three years, and it was then that Mid-Island decided to approach several companies to see if they would be interested in donating their products to help raise money for a worthy cause.

Korkers was the first to respond, and were so excited about the idea that they had a huge trophy constructed which was deemed the "Korkers Cup." This trophy is presented to the club who wins the Gathering contest. The winning clubs name is engraved onto the base of the trophy and is then eventually proudly displayed at the Sport Fishing Education Center at Cedar Beach. In addition to the Cup, awards are given for the heaviest of species both bass and bluefish.

Van Staal also responded, by providing the contest with a number of Van Staal reels, which have been used several ways, (i.e., raffles and awards) to help raise money. This year, Aqua Skinz came on board as a corporate sponsor. 

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

In this yeas event, Great South Bay Anglers lead the field with a total of 76 points. For those unaware, points are gathered by catching and weighing in three bass and three bluefish, or any combination there of (one pound is equal to one point). The fish need not be killed, as the same rules that govern the New York State Surf Fishing Contest apply. All fish released, must be witnessed by a club member in good standing. For heaviest of species, the fish must be weighed in at the official tackle shop – Freddies.

Great South Bay amassed their points mostly by fishing Shagwong Point, with a few fish coming from the South Side rocks.

In second place, North Brookhaven Sport Fisherman came in with a total of 64 points, while close behind was Hampton Surf Club with 63 points.

In the heaviest of species award, Michael Larmony of Mid-Island Surfcasters took top honors by weighing in a bass of 21 pounds. For the bluefish category, fellow Great South Bay Angler and President, Doug Brodsky weighed in a 7.22 pound blue.

The Korkers Cup will be engraved with the winning clubs name, and then go on display at the Sportfishing Education Center in Babylon. Well, that is after fellow club member’s ride around in their buggies with it, take it to dinner etc. Just like the Stanley Cup right? Okay, it will just be shown at the next meeting, and then brought to the center.

 NOT JUST FISH

The contest was not just about fishing, but also about raising monies for worthy causes. In the past, the contest supported our Send-A-Kid Fishing Program, and helped set up a moon jellyfish tank at the Sportfishing Education Center. This year the contest – which raised $4200 - will donate funds to The Sport Fishing Educational Center, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in the name of Stephanie Mc Donald, the 23 year old daughter of Steve Mc Donald – past president of High Hill Fishing Club. Stephanie lost her battle with this disease earlier this year.

And, probably one of the best aspects of the entire contest was the meeting and awards get-together in the lower lot in Montauk, for food and beverages. Every club was well represented and anglers mixed and mingled between clubs for several hours. Camaraderie on the beach is something al anglers enjoy, and this was just one more chance to get together and chide each other!

 SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks are in order for all the clubs - Mid-Island Surfcasters, Hampton Surf Club, Bayside Anglers, North Brookhaven, Gateway, Great South Bay Anglers, High Hill, Striper Surf, Paumonak, IBEW Local 3 - that attended, making it a great weekend of action and camaraderie.

Thanks are also in order for the following companies, all of which donated to the event: Korkers, Aqua Skinz, Van Staal, LIBBA, NYFTTA, UMS, Oasis, Causeway, Freddies, Campsite, J & J, Hudson Park, Jacks B&T, Ralph’s B&T, Skips B&T, Northport Rod & Reel, West End Fishing Tackle, J & H, West Marine, Kellog Marine, Chuck Holland, Swains, Silver Pheasant Restaurant, Runyons Roadside Tavern, Willie B&T, R & G, Kwaks and Fisherman's Depot.

What started out as a casual get-together has become a real fun-filled event. Next year, make sure your surf club is in on the fun.

Tom Melton/Managing Editor

reprinted from

The Fisherman Magazine