Washington Angler Wins Del Brown Permit Tournament in Florida Keys

LOWER FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. — Mike Ward of Spokane, Washington, caught and released five permit to earn 700 points and the title of grand champion angler at the 2024 Del Brown Permit Tournament that ended July 17. 

Ward and his captain, Brandon Cyr of Key West, Florida, tallied permit measuring 43 centimeters on the tournament’s first fishing day and 63 centimeters on the second day. On the third and final day, they secured their victory with permit measuring 71, 65 and 67 centimeters. 

Metric measurement is used to conform with International Game Fish Association preferences. 

Both tournament veterans, Ward and Cyr also earned the Del Brown championship in 2022. 

Scott Christian of Milton, Georgia, released two permit on the challenge’s second fishing day and one on the third day, ending with 400 points and the first runner-up title. Christian fished with Captain Chad Huff of Marathon, Florida. 

Robert Dougherty of Dallas, Texas, followed Christian in the standings. He caught and released two permit on the tournament’s first day, earning 350 points while fishing with Captain Nick LaBadie of Key West. 

Dougherty’s catches included an 80-centimeter permit that was the tournament’s largest. 

In the bonefish division, Ivar Bolander of Summerland Key, Florida, took top honors with 700 points. Guided by Captain Steve Friedman of Islamorada, Florida, he released two bonefish on the first day of fishing, three the second day and two on the final day.

Anglers on 24 boats released a total of 17 permit 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.