The Fifth Annual Legends of the Fly Tournament

Legends of the Fly Raises $10,300 for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and SealKids 
to Benefit Wounded Military Veterans and Seal Families Who’ve Lost a Parent

Virginia Beach, Virginia:  Following the success of its previous 2016-2019 tournaments, and after a pause in 2020 due to COVID, Legends of the Fly (LOF) returned to host its fifth charity slam fly fishing tournament to benefit Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) and SealKids on October 16, 2022.  As the only saltwater tournament fundraiser for PHWFF, Legends of the Fly raised $ 10,300 to split between the two charities. SealKids was a new addition to the tournament beneficiaries, to support our local military families. In previous years LOF has raised over $43,720 for PHWFF, providing rehabilitation services for over 218 service men and women.  

Designed as a no kill, slam-style tournament, individuals or teams of two anglers compete to catch the longest combination of speckled trout, red drum, and striped bass with bluefish as a wild card species. If all three of the primary target fish are caught, the angler or team will qualify for the grand “slam” tournament trophy.  Awards are also given to the individual or team that catches the largest of each of the three slam species.  Twelve vets fished the tournament for free and were guided by 7 volunteer boat captains.  They were joined by 23 paying participants.  Tournament winners included

Grand Slam Tournament Winners: Nick Culley & Nick Gigliotti

Largest Red Drum:  Samuel Chapman (PHWFF Vet) 

Largest Speckled Trout:  James D. Croft (PHWFF Vet)

Largest Striped Bass: Nick Gigliotti

During the event dinner to celebrate tournament winners and the accomplishments of our veteran competitors, LOF Board Members John and Suzanne Fall were also awarded PHWFF’s prestigious Patriot Award.  “John and Suzanne made supporting our nations disabled veterans and disable active military service personnel a family affair through their creation, leadership, and involvement in several events” said PHWFF’s President and CEO, Todd Degrosseilliers.  “Their extraordinary leadership and generosity touched the lives of those central to the PHWFF mission across the country and it helped create a better future vision for us all.  In their stellar example of selfless service, volunteerism, humility, and benevolence lies the inspiration that speaks volumes to our core values:  Compassion, Accountability, Excellence, Community”