Twenty-nine fly and light-tackle champion fishermen from as far away as Africa and Australia are headed to the Florida Keys and the seventh annual IGFA Inshore World Championship (IWC), July 8 ??? 11 in Islamorada.

The 23 men and six women gained entry as winners in one of over 55 fly and light tackle IGFA sanctioned tournaments during 2006 held in eight countries around the world and in 12 U.S. states. They represent nearly 3,000 anglers on four continents and were invited to compete in the "tournament of champions".

"Fourteen of these champions will be first time invitees to the tournament, one from as far away as Uganda, Africa, and the other from Darwin, North Territory of Australia," said Ms. Denise Hartman, IGFA tournament coordinator.

Dubbed the "super bowl of inshore fishing," the celebrated world-class inshore catch-and-release format features anglers stalking bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish on Florida Bay. "The IGFA IWC continues to attract some of the finest men and women fly and light tackle anglers to gather and compete in one of the highest rated fishing regions with top rated guides," said Ms. Hartman.

The anglers on opening night will participate in a captain's draw matching a different guide and angler each day. The IWC features three days of fishing with the contestants vying for engraved timepieces. The four major award categories include: Grand Champion (the angler who accumulates the most points for all five targeted species); and first places in the fly, artificial lure and bait casting divisions. There are also trophies and merchandise for second and third place divisional winners in the three categories as well as to the top three guides.

The point value of the fish is determined by species and the angler's preference choice of fly fishing, artificial lure or bait.

"There's always lots of strategizing and mind games," said tournament director Mike Myatt. "Some anglers will use one approach or all three over the three days. With so many different fishing disciplines represented by the qualifying champions, this format levels the on-the-water playing field."

The Islander Resort is again the tournament headquarters, with fishing and daily scorekeeping taking place from the World Wide Sportsman marina. Both are located near mile marker 82.

Pasta Pantaleo is the official artist of the IWC. Sponsors this year include Mercury Outboards, ??Bacardi, Costa Del Mar, G. Loomis, Hook and Tackle, Islamorada Fish Co., Islander Resort, King Sailfish Mounts, Rapala, Shimano, Stiffy Push Poles, 3M Scientific Anglers, Reel Life Art, World Wide Sportsman, Zane Grey Lounge, KD & G Sea Life Masterpieces,??Redbone Gallery, Image Graphics 2000, Momoi and Daiichi.

Each morning the daily results of the IGFA IWC along with photos of the previous day's round will be posted on the IGFA's home page at igfa.org.