23 July 2018
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — José Ucan of Punta Allen, Mexico, caught and released six permit to earn the title of grand champion angler at the 2018 Del Brown Permit Tournament that ended July 18.
Fishing with Captain Justin Rea of Sugarloaf Key, Florida, Ucan scored one permit on the tournament’s first day, four on the second and one on the third to clinch the win.
Nathaniel Linville of Key West released three permit on the tournament’s final fishing day and was named first runner-up. Linville fished with Captain John O’Hearn of Key West, Florida.
Connor Flanagan of Bozeman, Montana, followed Linville in the standings with two permit caught while fishing with Captain Brandon Cyr of Key West. One of the duo’s fish was the tournament’s largest, measuring 26.25 inches.
In the bonefish division, Ivar Bolander of Santa Rosa, California, took top honors with 18 releases. He was guided by Captain Steve Friedman of Islamorada, Florida.
Anglers on 22 boats released a total of 19 permit and 68 bonefish in the tournament named for the late Del Brown, who is credited with popularizing permit fishing with a fly rod. The internationally acclaimed Brown caught more than 500 permit on fly before his death in 2003.
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