ESPN Saltwater

Gary Ellis is a driven man. He used to be driven by passion for the flats and its finned inhabitants, evidenced by his necklace which sports a redfish and a bonefish crossed, but since 1984, he has found a new drive. That was the year his daughter, Nicole, was born and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

"I was told the news, and thought, 'What in the heck is cystic fibrosis?'" Ellis said. "It's really scary when you hear your baby's got some disease you've never heard of before. Once we heard from the doctor in layman's terms what it is, he didn't give her much into her teens. I thought, 'There's no way that's going to happen.'

"My wife started reading books on it. All the books she could find. Once we understood better, we found that there were plenty of charity events going on to benefit CF research, but they were all celebrity black-tie dinners and tennis matches."

Being a lifelong fisherman and guide, Ellis pitched the idea of a fishing tournament to his friend and neighbor, Ted Williams of Major League Baseball fame.

"I spoke to Ted, and boy, he could fit more swear words into one sentence than anyone I've met. I tossed ideas to him, every one of which was shot down. The Redbone's format was actually a result of Ted's negative feedback."

An avid fly fisherman, Williams balked at the idea of fishing a tournament with casting or spinning gear. Ellis said there would be several divisions, including a fly one. Ever the busy man, Williams shot down a five-day tournament. Ellis said it would only be two.

Little did Ellis know, but Williams was helping his friend lay the groundwork for what would become a template of Redbone tournaments for decades to come.

That was in 1988, and with an acceptable format, Ellis got Williams to sign a picture of himself on the mound to donate to the event. Eventually the likes of Paul Newman, Joe DiMaggio, and others would attend Redbone events. The first Redbone in 1988 had 33 boats and raised $16,000. Today, there are over 30 Redbone events across the globe, generating approximately $1.56 million a year. It has spilled over from the saltwater arena to streams in Colorado, the Great Lakes and across the Pacific to England, all to "catch the cure" for cystic fibrosis.

A proud father, Ellis looks forward to every Redbone event in all its forms. He had no idea that what he was doing in 1988 would help so many people affected by CF, and he is driven more and more each day from seeing his daughter thrive.

"Look over there and tell me what you see. A drop-dead gorgeous blonde, right?" Ellis asked. "She spends four hours a day doing breathing therapy, takes a whole slew of pills, but look at her, full of life. She's a fighter."

Nicole is now 24 years old, works in international marketing, travels the world, and models for a clothing company. Not bad for a woman who was hardly expected to see her teens. Gary Ellis can't help but get choked up when he sees what his Redbone events have done for Nicole and others afflicted by CF.

"There's no way I can't get up in the morning and do what I do," he said.