Anglers eagerly anticipating “fishing blitz” at 11th F.C.A. Montauk Redbone celebrity tournament on L.I., N.Y.

NY Celeb TV Top Chef Tom Colicchio is back, along with guides, anglers and volunteers helping to “catch the cure for cystic fibrosis,” Sept. 19 - 21

MONTAUK, Long Island, NY— With the fall fishing season about to start, anglers in the 11th F.C.A. Montauk Redbone, Sept. 19 - 21 at Long Island’s eastern tip are hoping to once again be treated to one of the angling’s most phenomenal experiences; the “fishing blitz.”

“No other fishery I know of can offer what Montauk has,” said Capt. Gary Ellis, founder and tournament director of the Redbone which raises money for medical researchers to ‘catch a cure for cystic fibrosis.’ “Two years ago 900 fish were caught, last year even more. It’s nirvana.”

Bravo TV Top Chef Tom Colicchio of New York City, shown here with a blackfin tuna, will be aiming for stripers, bluefish and false albacore to catch, photograph and release in the 11th annual FCA Montauk Redbone celebrity tournament. Held at the Montauk Yacht Club, the competition, one of nearly 30 Redbone tournaments held around North America, raises money for medical researchers to close in on a cure for cystic fibrosis.

“In the fall the fish move out of the bay and marsh to feed on large schools of bait near the shore. You’ll be sight-casting to large schools of fish crashing bait. As a Florida Keys guide I’ve seen giant daisy chains of circling tarpon, massive pods of feeding sailfish and huge pushes of redfish and bonefish. But Montauk is one of the most outstanding fisheries for fly fishing and light tackle anglers. These fish are remarkable to watch… and catch,” Ellis grinned.

The celebrity tournament at the host sponsor Montauk Yacht Club Resort, will welcome TV Top Chef Tom Colicchio now in his ninth cable TV season on Bravo's Emmy winning series Top Chef All-Stars. Colicchio along with other celebs, anglers and guides will seek a “Nor’ East Grand Slam” of catching, photographing and releasing striped bass, bluefish and false albacore.

The Redbone series has spawned nearly 30 fishing events across the U.S. and internationally raising more than $16 million for scientists and researchers at the CF Foundation.

"Medical scientists are making amazing advancements with genetic research," said Ellis. "Not only did it lead to isolating the CF gene, but it also paved the way for the discovery of the genes for sickle cell anemia, Huntington's disease and many others. New CF drug research has helped improve lung function and add a little more time for patients. It's remarkable how far they've come, but there's still no cure and our tournaments continue in full force to help them."

Most of the guides who donate a day of their time are from the Fisherman’s Conservation Association (FCA) of New York, which helps organize the event locally.

“The FCA is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the ‘conservation triad’ of access, habitat, and fisheries management,” said Ellis. “The FCA’s financial support directly benefits the marine waters priorities of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“The FCA’s guides, through Capt. Frank Crescitelli have been deeply committed to helping wipe out CF,” said Ellis. “Great strides in gene research for a cure have been made over these 11 years, and we’re excited to have the hands-on tournament involvement of the FCA.”

Angler entries still open

Anglers pay an entry fee of $3,500 for two people to fish as a team. The fee includes a guide and all meals and social events.

The public is invited to join in for a silent auction that starts on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 19 at 1 - 5 p.m., and then again Thursday from 6 - 8 p.m. when it closes.

A $250 per person social package is also available for the Thursday night banquet and live auction and the Friday evening lobster/clambake awards party at the Montauk Yacht Club.

Winners in numerous categories will take home beautifully framed limited edition marine artwork from nationally known artists. Prizes are awarded to the tournaments’ top anglers and teams in spin and fly divisions. Awards are presented for the largest fish released in each target species and the largest number of fish released.