Dear STR,

    My name is Lezley Mastry.  About 7 years ago my husband (boyfriend at the time) told me he was entering me in The Suncoast Tarpon Roundup.  I didn't have a choice in the matter.  I remember questioning how on earth a wimpy-butt like myself would ever be able to bring in a fish that weighs the same as I do.  "It's not possible", I told myself.  Well, it happened.  My legs were shakin, my adrenaline was pumpin and oh yeah, someone was holdin on to my belt loop so I wouldn't go overboard.  I struggled and cussed, but after one and a half hours I brought the baby in.  120 pound Tarpon.  I was amazed and hooked. 

Not long after my first tournament a situation came up regarding the care of my husband's grandparents, Harriette and Lay Mastry.  They needed help.  Harriette had some health problems and Lay, whom she took 100% care of had Alzheimers.  At that time I was in school taking courses to become a R.N.  I wanted to help, so I did.  I will never be able to fully explain how this situation affected my life.  God rest her sweet soul, Harriette passed away shortly after I started care-taking.  I then spent a year and a half with Lay.  Oh my sweet Filthy McNasty (One of The Little Dirties).  We talked almost every one of those days about Tarpon fishin.  He told me all about Jimmy Groves and The Lucky Strike.  "Jimmy could smell the Tarpon comin", he'd say.  I put the Tarpon booklet out every morning (he had a case of CRS) and every morning he would smile and tell me stories.  Even though I heard the same stories over and over again it didn't matter because he told them with such emotion, like he was telling them for the first time.  I could truly tell fishin was this man's passion - he made you feel it.

    I stopped fishin the Tarpon Tournament mainly because school took up most my time.  I am now a Registered Nurse.  I have to thank Harriette and Lay Mastry for helping me in this journey.  I am entering this year.  I am entering for The Mastry's, The Crisps, The Groves and for every other person that has made and kept this tournament going.  Do all these names (and all others) a favor, KEEP IT REEL!  Keep the fever goin for all the generations past, all the generations that have already followed and most importantly, the generations that are soon to come! 

                                                                                                                                Thank you for 73 years of fishin! 

                                                                                                                                             Lezley Mastry R.N.