This year’s “20 Days in September” Photo Contest was another great success, featuring thousands of great photos from anglers around the U.S. and quite a few from others countries. Though these foreign images weren’t eligible, it’s great to see these fly fishers getting caught up in the #20sepdays concept. Even those who couldn’t get the full 20 days in seemed to enjoy discovering new waters right in their backyards and sneaking off for a few casts at lunchtime or after work.
Earlier this week, we presented you with 10 finalists for the contest’s prizes. The voting was close, with every photo receiving votes, and the winner topping out at a skosh under 17%. After more than 1,200 votes, the race between first and second was decided by just 20 votes. Congrats to all the photographers who made the finals!
Your top choice, by a whisker, was Nik Kirby‘s dramatic shot (at the top of the page) of an angler getting high-holed by a large moose. Kirby, of Russellville, Arkansas, described the scene:
I do want to say that if my two buddies hadn’t been with me, this picture wouldn’t exist. Great friends are hard to come by; great fishing buddies, even harder! Our trip to Colorado is one I’ll never forget.
We were in 11 mile canyon and had found a great hole with rising fish during a tremendous trico hatch. I had had a few fish on but hadn’t landed any. The moose came out of nowhere from the other bank, about 20 yards away. I froze and stood in utter amazement and prayed he didn’t feel threatened. Because I was not going to leave the honey-hole we had found!
For capturing the top spot, Nik will receive a 9-foot 5-weight Helios F fly rod.
In second place was Jason Maratta‘s dreamy shot of a beautiful meadow stream at sunset. Maratta, of Cleveland, Ohio, says that it was all about capturing a fleeting moment:
While fishing one of my favorite streams in Montana, I noticed the sun beginning to set. I turned around to check how much daylight was left, and saw what the sky looked like. I dropped my Orvis Superfine Glass rod and started taking pictures.
For transporting us all to the river like this, he will receive a PRO Waterproof Backpack 30L
Third place went to Tailwoods Media, who shot this cool image at Isla Holbox in Mexico. They will receive a Drift Hoodie.
There are two other prizes to be awarded: An Orvis Wader Mudroom for a randomly selected person who posts a photo of them picking up trash while fishing, and one to a randomly selected voter at the end of the contest. Our trash-collecting winner is Brian Pendergrass of Walden, Tennessee, who took a little time out from fishing on the South Fork of the Snake to clean things up.
Next, everyone who voted for our finalists and left a comment was eligible for a prize, as well. We plugged in the numbers, and the widget at random.org spat out a winner: David Stone, who simply wrote, “Great stuff!”
Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s “20 Days in September” Challenge by fishing, submitting photos, voting, or commenting (or all of these).
My rod snapped yesterday, was hoping it was a sign. Guess not, no fishing for a while for me. Sucks that the rules make it so hard to get decent trout pictures and none even placed top 3.
How do I go about getting my prize?