Riverhead Moose Fluke Tournament
The Riverhead Moose 14th Annual Fluke Tournament held July 24 at Riverhead Moose Lodge saw saw the largest turnout ever, tournament chairman Capt. Ray Kelly said. Fifty-four boats, including four kayaks, and 178 anglers — 33 of them in the junior division — participated in the tournament.
The event raised $4,500 for the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center, which assists abused children, Kelly said.
"I'd like to thank all the businesses and individuals that supported and participated in the tournament," Kelly said. "The tournament also focuses on getting children involved in fishing and this year we had the most children ever participate," he said, adding, "and some of them became hooked on fishing."
The tournament was filmed for Cablevision television shows Adventures in Fishing and Neighborhood Journal, Kelly said. "It's a great day for a great cause."
The results in the Junior Division were:
3rd Place- Stephan O'Kula with a 3 lb 3 oz fluke
2nd Place- Nick Arpino with a 3 lb 11 oz fluke
1st Place- Rebecca Harris, age 13, of Hampton Bays, with a 4 lb 10 oz fluke. Rebeccan won a 1st Place trophy, a $200.00 Savings Bond, a Rod and Reel Combination and a Sterling Silver Fluke Pendant.
The results in the Adult Division were:
3rd Place- Kevin Staubitz with a 4 lb 3 oz fluke
2nd Place- Dominick Arpino with a 4 lb 6 oz fluke
1st Place- Vinnie Pomara of Port Jefferson Station with a 5 lb 5 oz fluke. Pomara won a 1st Place trophy, $950 Cash, a Rod and Reel Combination and a Sterling Sliver Fluke Pendant. Pomara gave back $100 to the Children Advocacy Center.
Tournament participants enjoyed a chicken barbecue cooked up by Moose Lodge members.
The Ladies of the Moose also hosted a chinese auction yesterday.
Photos by Peter Blasl