May 18, 2001: The Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Catch and Release Striped Bass Derby Results
On May 18, 2001, under cloudy skies and light breezes, over twenty five boats left Chelsea Piers, Surfside Three Marina to fish in the third annual Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Catch and Release Striped Bass Derby, sponsored by The Macallan Scotch Whiskey. This first of its kind tournament, a fund raiser for the Coastal Conservation Association New York, drew employees from financial specialty firms such as, First New York Securities, HKG Asset Management and Putnam Lovell, as well as giant corporations such as Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers out of their financial district offices to prowl the murky waters of the New York Harbor in search of the majestic Striped Bass. Other Giants were also fishing for the Macallan Cup, New York Giants' Luke Petitgout, Joe Jurevicious, Tony Umholtz, Dan Cambell and Joe Littleton turned out to support CCA NY's conservation mission. In cool weather, 86 Striped Bass were caught and released in the name of conservation, the biggest and winner of The Macallan Cup weighing over 40 lbs.
The Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup (Largest Striped Bass) was caught by Don Rose fishing with Captain Dennis O'Rourke The fish weighed a hefty 41 pounds. The Conservation Award (High Hook) sponsored by Penn Reels and Brass City Trophy was given to Angler Gan Wong and Captain Richard Regan with 11 and 9 released Striped Bass respectively. The Urban Angler Award (Flyfishing Category) was given to Joe Mustari. The fish weighed 18 pounds. The White Water Marine Award (Artificial Category) was given to Richard Regan. Richard's fished weighed 25 pounds. The Atlantic Yacht Sales (Bait Category) was given to Don Rose with Captain Dennis O'Rourke The Orvis Sportfishing Award (Private Boat Category) was given to Eric Ryan. The Macallan Caskman Award (Smallest Striped Bass) was also presented to Rob Noonan with a bass weighing a whopping 1.5 pounds.
Captain Terrance Revella, Region 2 Commanding Officer of the DEC Police, received the 2001 Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Public Service Award , sponsored by Norcross Wildlife Foundation. Captain Revella was commended for his outstanding service in the aid of fisheries and other natural resources of New York and the Nation . Captain Revella commands the first dedicated marine DEC police unit in New York State.
The Grand Slam Boatworks Bluefish Awards, for largest Bluefish released, were given to:
The Cortland Weakfish Awards, for largest Weakfish released were given to:
However, Alan J Evelyn, CCA NY's President observed, "the biggest winner today was the Striped Bass fishery itself, as this valuable marine resource gains in public awareness. Hopefully, that will translate into more public appreciation of the city's fishery resources and implementation of stronger conservation measures to protect the Striper's future."
The following captains and guides took part in this year's Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup: Captain Frank Crescitelli and Captain Dino Torrino Finchaser Charters, Captain Joe Mattioli On the Bight Charters. Captain Jim Levinson, Double Haul Charters, Captain Tom Cornicelli Back Bay Charters, Captain David Blinkin, North Flats Guiding, Captain Ken Courtlangus, Frequent Fly-er Charters, Captain John McMurray, "One More Cast" Charters, Captain Don Lundt, Fish New York Charters, Captain Ralph Burtis Island Charters. Captain Joe Shastay, New York Harbor Sportfishing, Captain Scott Holder, Dragonfly Charters, Captain Matt Morrillo, Blue Moon Charters, Captain Tony Dilernia, Rocket Charters, Captain Bob Cali, Sporty III, Captain John Maliza , Captain Tom Matteo, TJ's, Captain Dennis O'Rorke, Captain Angelo Pignataro, Radial Sportfishing Charters, Captain Tony Acabasio, Maja,and Captain Ken Carson, Captain Bill Bulla, Captain Rich Vitale, Fin Hunter Charters, and Captain Joe Toth.
In a year when various groups are trying to reopen a commercial Striped Bass fishery on the Hudson, this year's Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Tournament will make a particularly important statement. Striped Bass are an important resource, worth more alive than dead. Fishermen are willing to pay much more to catch and release Striped Bass than gill-netters are paid to kill them. David Fallon, CCA NY Manhattan Chapter President noted that the state is ignoring public opinion in its efforts to "preserve the last commercial fishery on the Hudson." The Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Tournament is hopefully casting a new tradition, a tradition of sustainable, low-impact use of the Striped Bass resource that can be a new heritage, handed down from us to untold generations yet to be born.
CCA NY would also like to thank it other Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Tournament sponsors for their participation: Mercury Marine, Fin Chaser Charters, One More Cast Charters, Chelsea Brewing Company, Schwarzer and Associates, Surfside Marina, Dragon Fly Charters, Radial Sportfish Charters, PFLGA, Marine Wildlife Gallery, Ande Fishing Line, Reel-Time Journal of Fly fishing, ArtsNFlies.com, The Fisherman Magazine and Noreast Saltwater magazine and website, Dizzy Fish and Mustad Hooks for providing circle hooks for the live bait division.
For more information please call Macallan CCA Cup Tournament Chairs David Fallon (W) 212-848-0801 or Frank Crescitelli (C) 917-468-4817, (H) 718-948-1761.