Dream West Photography courtesy images

2023

PINEDALE – The seventh annual Fishing for the Fight (FFF) fly-fishing tournament and fundraiser hosted on July 13-15 exceeded all expectations.

The FFF board set three goals when it hosted its inaugural fly-fishing tournament in 2017. First and foremost is to raise funds for the nonprofit’s cause. All proceeds go directly to support the organization’s mission to help “families fighting cancer, people with special needs and children with chronic illness.”

The second goal was to host a total of 23 teams competing in the tournament in honor of Sublette County – County 23. The limited entry event is now capped at 23 teams.

The final goal consisted of creating a fly-fishing tournament “like no other.” Avid fishermen and women participate in two days of epic, guided fly fishing in spectacular rivers and streams across Sublette County and around LaBarge.

In 2023, Fishing for the Fight met and surpassed each of its original objectives set in 2017.

“We have completed all three goals and smashed our fundraising goals far beyond what we ever thought possible,” said Fishing for the Fight founder and board president Chauncey Goodrich. “I would say my highlight this year was watching FFF hit 23 teams. We pulled it off with almost no issues because of such a great volunteer group and outstanding board.”

A large portion of FFF’s fundraising total goes to Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County, an organization that inspired the founding of Fishing for the Fight. Between 2017 and 2022, FFF donated more than $550,000 to Kickin’ Cancer.

Fishing for the Fight helps families across the community by offsetting the costs associated with traveling to receive treatment, including hotels, gas money and food – crucial for people living in a rural region. The organization also provides funds to help meet special needs for people and families in the area, ranging from chair lifts to therapy dogs and adaptive tricycles.

Fishing for the Fight relies on a “village” of supporters to host a successful tournament each year. Generous land owners open their property to fly fishing teams. A crew of sponsors, donors, guides and volunteers also make the event possible.

“I continue to be in awe of the amazing volunteers,” said Fishing for the Fight board member Cyd Goodrich. “This event is so successful because of the many volunteers and this year did not disappoint. We broke fundraising goals that will allow us to shower blessing on this community.”

Twenty-three fly fishing teams, consisting of two individuals per team, gathered in Sublette County on July 13 and hit the rivers and streams on Friday and Saturday, July 14-15. Each team was led by its own expert guide. The event culminated with a fundraising auction and banquet on Saturday evening.

A group of dedicated anglers formed Fishing for the Fight in 2017 to organize an exciting, new fly fishing tournament dedicated to a cause.

Learn more about Fishing for the Fight at https://www.fishingforthefight.org/ and find out about sponsoring a team or fishing some of the best waters in Wyoming all while giving back.