Collection: Opener 2023

TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION, SELECT A SHIRT OR HAT PACKAGE FROM BOTTOM OF PAGE (YOU MUST PURCHASE 1 SHIRT OR HAT  FOR EACH TEAM MEMBER)

DUE TO RETAILERS LIMITING OUR PURCHASE QUANTITY FOR BUMP BOARDS, TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS ARE BEING ASKED TO OBTAIN THEIR OWN FRABIL EXPANDABLE BUMP BOARDS MODEL# 1936. FOR CONSISTENCY REASONS, THESE WILL BE THE ONLY BUMP BOARDS ACCEPTED FOR TOURNAMENT SCORING. PLEASE CONTACT MTA BEFORE APRIL 15TH IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH OBTAINING A BUMP BOARD OR NEED ASSISTANCE ORDERING OR LOCATING ONE. REGISTRATION FEES HAVE BEEN REDUCED ACCORDINGLY. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE APRIL 20TH.

When?: May 5th @ 5:00 PM - May 7th @ 2:00 PM

Where?: Statewide! (Kickoff will be online via Facebook LIVE) All rivers and streams are fair game. No pond fishing, inland lake and no big lake fishing. All teams found in violation will be subject to disqualification from the event and will no longer be allowed to participate in future MTA Tournaments.

How?: Each trout that is caught throughout the tournament will have a photo taken with it on a Frabil Bump Board model # 1936. EACH TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING THEIR OWN FRABIL EXPANDABLE BUMP BOARD MODEL# 1936. PLEASE CONTACT MTA FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS REGARDING THIS CHANGE. Photos will be sent to phone numbers provided with call card instructions to be delivered prior to the tournament. Photos including Call Cards without the code showing on the front of card will be disqualified from scoring. SUBMIT ALL PHOTOS! You never know when a fish might count for something special! Every photo submitted will be acknowledged by MTA staff and running scores will be kept throughout the tournament with intermittent updates of leaderboards being placed on the Michigan Trout Addicts Facebook page to keep teams in the loop.

Teams: 1 or 2 person teams may register.

-Registration includes Call Cards to be used in the competition and will be mailed and arrive prior to the tournament date. There will only be one call card per team, as teammates are expected to fish together.

Rules and Regulations: 

Top 3 trout (length) caught by each team will be scored. The sum of the lengths of these fish in inches will be the final score for the team. Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout all count. Exceptions: Rainbow trout over 22" will only be given a score of 22 points due to the number of steelhead in our rivers/streams at nearly all times of the year. All steelhead will be disqualified as determined by the MTA Board.  Brook trout will be given an additional 50% in points for that fish at the time of scoring to offset size inequalities between them and the other species. Scoring will be as below.

Example: 

Team A - 14.5" Brown Trout, 15.25" Brown Trout, 12.0" Brook Trout

       Team A Score: 14.5 + 15.25 + 12.0 + (12 x 50% for brookie bonus) = 14.5 + 15.25 + 12.0 + 6 = 47.75 pts.

Please follow the MTA Facebook page the week of the tournament for a video providing instructions for properly measuring trout.

How To Win: The team with the highest overall score will win the tournament! Top placing teams will receive custom MTA trophies, and big Cash Prizes!! $$$$$!! In addition, those who catch the largest trout of each species (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) will receive a tournament trophy! 

3rd Party Rules: Teams may not fish with a third party that is guiding, rowing, paddling or in any way navigating a vessel to aid participants of the tournament. In addition, only one of the possible two team members on a team may net a fish. Teams found to be in violation of either of these 3rd Party Rules will be disqualified. 

"This tournament is designed to allow sportsmen to get out in nature, and enjoy the outdoors with a little friendly competition included.  We all love trout, and we are addicted to fishing for them. It's the appreciation of the sport that unites us and this tournament is a reflection of how a simple passion can bring all kinds of people together. We as anglers have the responsibility to respect one another and our waters, and this group embodies that set of values in the truest of fashions."

 -MTA Board Members