Achievements

July 2016 – Three Belles Outfitters Trifecta Challenge- Grand Prize Winner

Three Belles Outfitters held their first annual Trifecta Challenge in July of 2016. This catch-and-release focused tournament included over forty of the top kayak fishermen in the New England region. Derek Williams took home the award for largest Striped Bass, while Rotha Nong took home the trophies for largest Fluke and largest Bluefish. Elliot Thomas won the overall Grand Prize, with the greatest combined total of his three best fish. During the week-long fishing marathon, Elliot managed to land and photograph a 49″ Striped Bass, a 34″ Bluefish, and a 27″ Fluke as his submissions in the tournament. He also managed several other 30″+ bluefish, as well as striped bass measuring 42″, 43″, 45″, and 46″. As the Trifecta Grand Prize Winner, Three Belles Outfitters awarded Elliot with a 2016 Limited Edition Hobie Outback!

June 2016 – Ditch Pickle Classic – Hartford Yard Goats – Top Paddler Team

The 2016 Ditch Pickle Classic marked the 7th edition of this annual fly fishing, catch and release tournament. Windy conditions on Lake Champlain made fishing difficult on the second day of the tournament. But all said and done, teammates Jeremy Clapp and Elliot Thomas managed to secure the highest team total points of all the “paddler” teams. Teammate Jeremy Clapp even managed to take home the overall “Top Paddler” award for his smallmouth and largemouth success on Lake Champlain!

June 2015 – Ditch Pickle Classic – Top Paddler Team

During the sixth annual Ditch Pickle Classic, every team in the field struggled to find fish. Lake Champlain waters were high and dirty, and fish just weren’t in the same spots they usually are. Teammates Elliot Thomas and Jeremy Clapp fished Lake Champlain for the first time, and despite the struggles still managed to put some good fish on the board. Their two scores combined put the pair in a tie for 7th Place, and the top scoring “Paddler” duo!




Notable Fish & Personal Best Catches

Brown Trout – new personal best, 27″ – western NY – October 12, 2014 - caught on fly rod

• 3-Tand TF-50 Fly Reel & Redington Vapen 6wt

Blackfish (Tautog) – new personal best, 23″ – Old Lyme, CT – October 26, 2014 - caught from kayak

• Penn Long Beach 65 (vintage) & Penn Mariner Rod

Largemouth Bass – new personal best, 21″ – central CT – June 5, 2015 - caught from kayak

• 3-Tand TF-50 Fly Reel & Redington Vapen Red 6wt

Coho Salmon – new personal best, 25″ – Altmar, NY – October 16, 2015 - caught on fly rod

• Allen Kraken Fly Reel & Redington Vapen Red 9wt

Steelhead – new personal best, 28″ – western NY – December 26, 2015 - caught on fly rod

• Allen Kraken Fly Reel & Redington Vapen Red 9wt

Bowfin – first & default best, 25″ – Lake Champlain – June 24, 2016 - caught on fly rod from kayak

• 3-Tand TF-50 Fly Reel & Redington Vapen Red 6wt

Fluke (Summer Flounder) – new personal best, 27″ – Old Lyme, CT – July 16, 2016 - caught from kayak

• Daiwa Luna 253 Reel & Penn Squadron Rod

Bluefish – new personal best, 34.5″ – Old Lyme, CT – July 17, 2016 - caught from kayak

• Penn Battle II 5000 Reel & Penn Squadron Rod

Striped Bass – new personal best, 49.5″ – Old Lyme, CT – July 20, 2016 - caught from kayak

• Quantum Cabo 50 Reel & Penn Squadron Rod

Albie (Little Tunny) – new personal best, 25″ – eastern CT – November 13, 2016 - caught from kayak

• Penn Battle II 5000 Reel & Penn Squadron Rod

Lake Trout – new default best, 33″ – western NY – November 25, 2016