The 2018 “20 Days in September” Contest Kicks Off Today!

Last year’s ten finalists made voting for a winner very difficult!
Photomontage by Phil Monahan

Although meteorological summer doesn’t end for another three weeks, Labor Day is usually considered the end of the season. The kids are back at school, summer hours at work are over, and the nights are growing increasingly crisp. It’s a time to reflect on how well you spent those longest days of the year.

Back in 2014, I had a tough summer, fishingwise, so to make up for it, I set myself a goal: to go fishing 20 days during the month of September. Thus was born the “20 Days in September” Project. I had so much fun—and enjoyed my time on the water so much—that we opened up the project to everyone and turned it into a photo contest on Facebook and Instagram. Every year since, the contest has attracted more and more participants, who tell us what a blast they have trying to complete the challenge. As blog reader Mike Sepelak recently commented:

The contest is GREAT fun. Each year it’s encouraged me to find new local waters and revisit long neglected “fishin’ holes” in order to add variety to the month. It’s also encouraged me get creative when I’ve had to do non-fishing related travel. I’ve managed 20+ each of the past two years and really, really look forward to doing it again.

Here’s how it works:

1. Make an honest attempt to get on the water 20 times during September. Of course, these don’t have to be full or even half days of angling. Just 10 casts are enough to count on any given day. So steal time whenever you can: before work, at lunchtime, after work, or . . .(cough) during work. On weekends when your schedule is full, get in a few casts around soccer or football games.

2. Take pictures of your fish, the water, your fellow anglers, the flies you’re using, or anything else. (Photos must be taken during September, 2018.)

3. Post your photos to the Orvis Fly Fishing Facebook page or on Instagram with the hashtags #orvisflyfishing and #20sepdays. (Only photos using both hashtags will be eligible!)

At the end of the month, we’ll go through all the photos posted as part of the project and pick 10 finalists. Then we’ll let you vote for the winners! (Last year’s finalists make up the photomontage at the top of this page.)

Here are the prizes:

First Place: A Helios 3 Fly Rod of your choice.

Second Place: A Mirage Fly Reel of your choice.

Third Place: A pair of Orvis Made-in-the-USA Nippers.

We’ll also give a pair of nippers to one randomly selected voter at the end of the contest.

You don’t have to complete your 20 days to be eligible to win, but we will have a Roll of Honor for those who do manage to complete the Project. So start thinking about all the great waters you’re going to fish throughout the month.

Click here for the full contest rules and conditions.

Click here for your own calendar to track your progress.