Dear Member.

With another trout season drawing to a close. I've been looking back at it too see how it had compared with others. For me at least it started extremely well, with fish coming to my nymph right from the first day. But unfortunately for those of us who fish Bewl Water from the bank, since July we have been plagued by that dreaded Canadian pondweed. All through August and well into September it has been virtually impossible from the bank. But with the start of our frosty mornings, we are now looking forward to some enjoyable sport during October. Once again, I must make a request for material too keep this newsletter going, I need co—operation from my fellow members in order to make this venture a successful one.

Chris Carter.

THE BENSON AND HEDGES INTERNATIONAL FLY FISHING COMPETITION

After a gap of one year the Branch again entered the Benson and Hedges Fly-Fishing Competition. This year its format changed to become an international competition with each of the four Home Counties holding a competition to find the competitors for a final. The Branch team had therefore to be available to fish at least three times if we were to succeed in the Competition. As only two reserves were allowed by the rules, selection for the team rested almost entirely on the availability of members and the lucky six who represented the Branch were Dave Blake (Captain), Mick Moors, Tony Henwood, Brian Thomas, Martin Hayes and Bob Collins.

The first round was held on a Regional basis and fished in three heats at Bewl Bridge on 16, 17 an 18 May with the first two teams from each heat going forward to the next round at Rutland Water. In the week before our heat, on Friday 16 May, the weather was very windy with occasional rain and it promised to be reasonable conditions for the loch style fishing demanded by the rules of the Competition. On the Friday morning however conditions changed and the day dawned without a cloud in the sky, very sunny and almost without even a breeze blowing. Totally undaunted the team assembled at Bewl at the appointed time full of optimism and good humour. The Competition was fished to very strict rules but in a most friendly and enjoyable manner. The constant movement of boats around the reservoir indicated how difficult the fishing was and although few fish were moving reports of small catches were received from passing boats. The team had gone to various parts of the reservoir with Hook Straight eventually becoming the favoured spot for three members and with a lot of boats fishing off Chingley Wood towards the dam. Only one team member was there but he eventually took our largest bag getting a magnificent total of ten fish.

When the Competition ended and we assembled for the weigh-in considerable excitement was generated in the team. We realised that we stood a very good chance of getting through to the next round and so it proved to be as we came second to Bewl Bridge Flyfishers whose winning margin was only ½ oz. Two other prizes were awarded and our star Tony Henwood won the prize for the heaviest bag with his ten fish and received a very attractive sweater. Rumour has it that it reaches his knees and hampers his casting action so nobody has yet seen it being worn! The other prize

was for the heaviest fish and Brian Thomas was only just beaten again by ½ oz in this Competition. All in all a very successful day and a most enjoyable one which was celebrated briefly at the Brown Trout Inn and also by paying a visit to our Secretary. Chris Carter, who was amazed to see six of us descend upon his house each with his own tale of the days’ success.

The next round was at Rutland Water and we were to fish on Saturday, 9 August. Discussions were held about our plan of action and it was decided that those who could, would travel to Rutland on the previous Thursday and we would have a practice day on the Friday prior to our big day. It was also agreed that we would stay in Martin Hayes caravan that he kindly volunteered to take to Rutland Water thus considerably reducing the costs. In between our Captain obtained same heavyweight and super heavyweight fly hooks for us to tie flies for the Competition and a badge was produced with the name of our Branch under the Fly Dressers Guild logo.

The great day dawned and with considerable enthusiasm and optimism we set forth for Rutland Water. Our practice day was fairly uneventful with the sheer size of the water making it difficult to decide hot spots for Saturday’s efforts. We found the going very hard and only managed five fish between the four of us but our Captain had kindly donated a bottle of whisky on Thursday and our spirits rose again as those left in the bottle disappeared. So much so that we had to break into Martin Hayes’ reserve supply as well! The flies tied that evening in very poor light were nonetheless considered certain to catch many fish the next day.

The day of the Competition was fine and sunny with enough cloud and wind to promise an excellent day’s fishing. We set off with spirits raised (no, not more whisky) and all sure that despite our limited experience at traditional or loch style fishing we should catch some fish. We each had quite a shock and no doubt you will have heard some of the stories by now. Suffice it to say that we discovered another style of fishing called ‘Competition Fishing’. This involves casting about 25 yards and retrieving as fast as possible. Any fish hooked are bullied into the

boat. The leaders are a minimum of 8 lbs. and whilst a wingless Whickhams Fancy may not resemble any food item when ripped at speed through the water it does catch fish. Sadly our attempts at emulating our boat partners style were with one notable exception a failure. The only really successful bag of eight fish was taken by Mick Moors and whilst nobody blanked our overall total was very disappointing and we finished tenth and last.

That evening we didn’t exactly celebrate but we had a dinner and discussed at length our experiences. It would however be wrong to look on the exercise as a failure. We learned a lot and will be better prepared for the future if we enter again. There were also many highspots in the trip. We discovered that Dave Blake takes photographs with the lens cap on. Mick Moors and Brian Thomas are superb at washing and drying dishes. Bob Collins cannot cook, Martin Hayes can persuade any head waiter that he had phoned to book a table and Tony Henwood can move very quickly when the spirits move him. All in all it was a good trip and most enjoyable.

The team gives thanks to all club members, to wives, girl friends, etc for their support. Also to Chris Carter for all his work in organising our entry and sorting out bookings at Rutland Water for boats, etc and finally to Jean Hayes who spent considerable time and effort in organising the food for our trip. Perhaps next year we will be able to try again and put our experience to good use with an improved result.

BOB COLLINS.

Well Bob, it took you until 2000 ! (but it was worth it)

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