OCC Casters Savor Success at the 2026 Southwestern Tourney in Long Beach

February 13-15, 2026 at the Long Beach Casting Club

Typically attended by participants from California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona, this year's games had casters come from as far away as Iowa, Wisconsin and Florida. The Long Beach Casting Club's hospitality was as fine as the casting.

Graciously hosted by the Long Beach Casting Club, OCC casters won over 30 medals in the accuracy and distance events at this year's Southwestern Championships in Long Beach, CA. Charmed with unseasonably warm weather, the casters were challenged by sneaky breezes that tested their skills throughout the competition. Comprised of 10 total accuracy and distance events, each having three divisions (A, B and C levels), meant that OCC representatives had to focus to become podium finishers.

Final Results can be found here:

2026_SouthwesternTourneyResults.pdf

Download PDF • 1.39MB

Not enough good can be said of the weekend event the LBCC worked so hard to provide. Casters were treated as honored guests, organization was top notch and the facilities perfect for interaction. It's always special to be there.

The traditional Saturday evening banquet was well attended and well enjoyed. Here, at the head of the table, Alice G., Elaine G., and Ralph H. enjoy their first course. LBCC president Tom Olson stands at the rear left.

From top left, clockwise: Henry M., Nancy L. and Ralph H. listen in (somewhat) to LBCC's Event Maestro, Mark Flo (rear, right w/ microphone), as he gives Saturday morning instruction; top right, Alice G. prepares to begin her Dry Fly round; bott. right, John T. casts off against Elias for silver in the Wet Fly event; bott. left: Simon L. pals with 13 year old Elias from Florida. Barefoot, Elias casted his way to an overall silver medal in the A division for the Combined Trout Accuracy events! Simon, seeking any competitive advantage he can, seems to have adopted his barefoot approach.