Blixt Wins Drake's Quarterly "Big Year" Contest

Who says SoCal is just for surfers?

California-based angler and 12wt. customer Nicholas Blixt (above wearing the L/S FREEwt. Shirt) recently won the Drake Magazine's quarterly "Big Year" contest, landing more than twenty different species on the fly over the course of a few short months.

During that time, Blixt, who calls L.A. home, was fortunate enough to throw flies in Southern California, the Eastern Sierras, the Baja Peninsula, and Western Massachusetts. Blixt's most memorable fish? A 10" rooster from the trip to Baja (below).

still counts…

Here is the impressive species list that helped Nicholas beat out numerous other anglers:

Barred Surfperch, Barred Pargo, Calico Bass, Blue and Gold Snapper, Blue Mackerel, Pacific Bonito, Cabrilla, Jack Crevalle, Dog Snapper, Dorado, Green Jack, Green Sunfish, Ladyfish, Largemouth Bass, Needlefish, Panamic Grasby, Roosterfish, Skipjack Tuna, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Trumpetfish and Yellowtail Amberjack

dorado, Baja 

To learn more about the Big Year contest and the prizes for the winners, check out the Drake's Facebook page.

All photos courtesy of Nicholas Blixt