It speaks volumes that a life is still celebrated more than three decades after an untimely demise. Alice Kelly, a passionate angler and Outer Banks volunteer, lost her battle with cancer more than 35 years ago. Yet today, women who weren’t even born yet are celebrating her spirit by competing in the 35th Annual Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament. The event kicked off with the registration and party Saturday evening at the Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo.
This year’s contest was in doubt as recently as a few days ago as remnants of Tropical Storm Debby lingered in Eastern North Carolina. But weather could not compete with the determination and enthusiasm of this year’s cadre of anglers. Some are seasoned veterans, while others are fishing the event for the first time.
“We’re an all-friends team fishing on No Quarter,” explained first-timer Ashlee Geraghty. “Our expectations are to fish and have fun. We’ve always wanted to do this, so this year we put together a team. About half of us have some fishing experience, others none. We are entered in the Dolphin and Billfish jackpots, so we’ll be hoping and praying out there tomorrow.”
Evianna Bocks is also a first-time Alice Kelly contestant. Her boyfriend is the mate on Moara, which is based at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. The team is also entered in both jackpots.
“”We’re going to hope for the best and have a good time, fishing for cancer,” Bocks says. The boat’s skipper, Brad Ward, is competing for the fourth time but the first with this team of newcomers.
“We’re excited,” he says. “It’s a great cause and a wonderful event every year. I haven’t decided whether to go north or south tomorrow. I haven’t made up my mind and it will probably change a couple more times before we head out.”
Denise Fitch and her team mates are fishing Sunday aboard A-Salt Weapon. Fitch is a repeat angler and the boat was decorated Saturday with a pink theme and bras hanging off the rocket launcher in the Alice Kelly tournament tradition. Many teams also wore funny and clever costumes meant to highlight the battle against breast and other cancers.
“It’s going to be beautiful out there tomorrow,” Fitch predicted with conviction. “We’re going to enjoy the day, have a great time and grab a couple sailfish and a big dolphin to win the jackpots.”
Fishing begins at 8:30 Sunday morning with lines out at 3 p.m. Dolphin, yellowfin tuna and wahoo are eligible in the weight divisions, while sailfish, white and blue marlin count in the billfish division. At the close of registration Saturday night, there were 155 teams competing for $107,525.
No matter the outcome, one thing is certain. Alice will be looking down on all the contestants Sunday, smiling proudly.
