New for 2015, the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival will feature casting clinics for women and children hosted by Wanda Taylor.  Wanda and her husband Gary were guests at the 2014 Albacore Festival, and since then have become a close part of the CLAF family.  In an effort to get more ladies and children involved in the sport of fly fishing, Wanda approached us with the idea of hosting casting clinics specifically tailored for women and children.  We were delighted with the idea, and are excited to offer these casting clinics this year.

Taylor has a long list of accomplishments to her name.  She was the first ever female International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) certified Master Casting Instructor.   Wanda was also the first female endorsed Orvis Fishing Guide in the South East.  Taylor is an ambassador for Casting For Recovery, the Goodwill Guides and Project Healing Waters.  She has received awards from the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) in 2005 and 2008, and is a long time member of the Temple Fork Outfitters Advisory Staff.  Taylor has without a doubt earned the title  "The 1st Lady of Fly Fishing".

Wanda will be offering a free children's casting clinic and a free women's casting clinic on the Saturday of the Tournament (10/24/15).  Her enthusiasm for the sport is addicting, and her easy going approach to teaching makes for a relaxed learning atmosphere.  If you've ever thought about learning to fly fish, there's no better time to do it, and no better person to learn from. 

For more info on the casting clinics and how to register, please visit:
http://www.capelookoutalbacorefestival.com/casting-clinic.html

In 2014, we kicked off the Cape Lookout Albacore Festival with a Thursday "Healing Waters Day" Event.  Boat Captains/Guides/Albacore Junkies donated their time and took Project Healing Waters participants out on their boat for the day.  Many of these participants had never been saltwater fly fishing, much less albacore fishing.    With the help of the captains, these disabled vets got a good dose of false albacore fishing with several caught on fly.  We finished up the day by getting together for dinner and fellowship at Amos Mosquitos in Atlantic Beach.

This years Healing Waters Day will be held on Thursday October 22nd.  We are looking for about 20 captains to donate a long half day of their time to captain a few vets on their boat.  If you have the day open on your calendar and would like to help, let us know.  In your reply, please let us know what size boat you have, if you  can guide 1 or 2 anglers, and if you can provide your own fly equipment.

Please send replies to John Mauser at:
johndmauser@yahoo.com

The 2015 Cape Lookout Albacore Festival is about Fun, Fishing, Fellowship and most importantly, it's about helping out a great cause.  The Festival can't happen without caring individuals and companies who donate by becoming a sponsor.  From $250 up to $5,000 we have many different sponsorship levels.  Please take a look at our sponsorship page to learn about the different levels.  We've thrown in a few perks at each level for those who are kind enough to donate. 

http://www.capelookoutalbacorefestival.com/donate.html


 Donations don't always have to come in the form of money.  We are always looking for fishing related art, and equipment, along with guided fishing trip donations which will all be auctioned off at our Captain's Party.  Last year we were able to raise and donate $10,000 to our charity, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.  This year we'd love to up that amount, but we need everyone's help.

Contact us at info@capelookoutalbacorefestival.com if you would like to become a sponsor.