This year’s “DadOutdoors” Photo Contest was a big hit, and we received tons of great photos of dads enjoying everything from fishing to hunting to hiking. You could feel how proud folks were to submit photos of their dads, and many of the posts on Facebook and Instagram included beautiful messages of thanks for all that dads do.
Last week, we presented you with 10 finalists for the contest’s prizes. The voting for the top spots was intense, with several lead changes during the final day. Congrats to all the photographers who made the finals!
Your top choice is Mike Burnside’s wonderful shot (at the top of the page) of a dad and daughter sharing a moment of success with a big largemouth bass. I asked Mike for the story behind the image, and here’s what he told me:
The photo was right after I helped my daughter, Kenzi, land the biggest bass that she has ever caught. Kenzi and I had been fishing a pond, and the the fish were really hitting that day; as I helped her reeling in this bass, she was saying “Oh gosh!” over and over. She absolutely loves fishing and says it is her favorite activity.
The Burnsides–who live in Talala, Oklahoma–have chosen a 9-foot, 5-weight Helios 3 Fly Rod, for trout fishing, as well as the occasional pond fishing for bass and bream
In second place is a touching photo of a grandfather teaching his grandson how to fly fish. Christopher Stelter writes, “The shot is my father and my first-born son on the North Branch of the Au Sable River in Michigan (the same waters I started on). Capturing this photo of my Dad teaching my son to cast is priceless to me.” For coming in second, Christopher gets an American-made Recon Fly Rod.
Third place went to this funny shot of a dad introducing his toddler to the reason we all cast flies. Winner Katie Midcap of Fairbanks, Alaska, describes how the scene came together:
My husband, Justin, took our two-year-old fly fishing on the Chena River, where they were able to catch this gorgeous arctic grayling. Our son, Wyatt, had zero hesitation about getting up-close and personal with the fish. Right now, Justin–a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army–is deployed in Iraq. He has missed many holidays including Father’s Day this year, so I’m so grateful Orvis gave me the chance to gift him something special won by a great memory with his son.
Katie’s prize is a Clearwater Fly Rod!
Everyone who voted for our finalists was eligible for a prize, as well. We plugged in the numbers, and the widget at random.org spat out a winner: Kimberly Sanders, who wrote, “I love to get out on the water with my Dad! Great photos of Dads and kids making memories!” For registering her vote, Kimberly wins a pair of Orvis Nippers.
Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in any way: by submitting photos, voting, or commenting (or all of these). Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! We hope you got outside yesterday.
A big “thank you” to Orvis for this contest! I’m humbled and honored to have placed along-side two wonderful photographs that capture what it truly means to be a father and an #orvisdad.