Local Qualifies for IGFA World Championships

Last summer we brought you , a local fisherman who placed second in the Tres Pescado Slam Tournament, an international fly fishing event in Belize. It was quite an accomplishment for Hart, and brought him one step closer to realizing his life-long dream of competing the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) World Championships.

The winner of the tournament was awarded an invitation to the title event, with Hart being named as an alternate. When the winner of the Tres Pescado tournament failed to register for the Worlds competition by the deadline, the invite was extended to Hart, who jumped at the chance.

"I can remember my dad telling me 'they have a championship event in Florida every year' and I dreamed of being a part of it, but I never actually thought I'd have this opportunity," said Hart.

The 2011 Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA World Championships will take place July 11 to July 14, and will include five species of fish.

Although Hart has shown his abilities as a fisherman with his past success, there will be one glaring difference in the title event from the qualifying tournament in Belize; he will not get to choose his boat guide.

"In Belize we had a connection through a friend for one of the best guides in the area who is out there fishing almost everyday and knows that area as well as anyone," said Hart. "For this event you are randomly paired with a guide, but you have to be confident that as a hand-selected guide they are very capable and are one of the best in that region."

In addition to working with an unfamiliar guide, Hart points to his inexperience as a key factor in the outcome of the tournament.

"I'll be fishing against some of the best in the world and I don't know much about the area we'll be in," he said. "So I don't really have a plan yet but I'll have to read up on the fishing down there and just go have some fun with it."

While his plans for the three-day event are not locked up just yet, he may be accompanied by quite the crew.

"Some of my friends are talking about a road trip down to Florida for the event, and my parents will be there too so it should be a great experience and I'm really looking forward to it."

Regardless of the tournament outcome, Hart intends on competing in the  Tres Pescado event in Belize again in 2011, angling for another shot at the IGFA Championship.

"After my second place finish last year we hired the same guide right away and stated planning for the trip," he said. "Hopefully I can do well in Florida this year and then come back again in 2012 with a win in Belize."

With an appearance in the IGFA World Championship Event before the age of 20, Hart has solidified himself as one of the best fly fishermen in town.