2010 Report

2010 North East Region

The 2010 North East Region Fly Fishing Championships were again organised by Malcolm Naylor, Northumbria and held at Eyebrook Reservoir on Thursday 10^th June 2010 and were again given a warm and friendly welcome by the management and staff of the fishery and shop.

All forces within the region were invited to partake in the event and all, with the exception of Durham & Humberside submitted a total of 7 teams (4 per team) and 4 individuals.

The weather was cold, showery and overcast with a strong north / north easterly wind blowing down the reservoir that put all but a few kamikaze fish off their food and made catching them very difficult.

As indicated the fish proved very difficult to catch and no limit bags were caught, in fact ¾ of those who fished failed to catch anything at all!  The reluctance of the fish to play and support this event was shown in the final catch figures which, as can be seen were very poor – 8 anglers only caught 10 fish. (24 blanks!)

Once again, the North Yorks ‘A’ team had ‘Lady Luck’ on their side.  John Archbold (aka Golden Balls) caught a single fish of 13lb 15oz which not only netted him the heaviest fish and heaviest individual bag but also won the team event by itself. (I’m sure that if John fell in the Tyne at Jarra Slakes he would come out smelling of roses and with a pocket full of salmon!!) (See picture below)

John Archbold with his 13lb 15oz Rainbow

Gordon Elphee (West Yorks) proved that the 2009 result was no fluke and again finished as runner-up with 2 fish for a total weight of 6lb 6oz.  This bag was also sufficient to give West Yorks the runner-up spot in the team event.

John Ellis (South Yorks) finished 3^rd overall with 2 fish for a total weight of 5lb 11oz. Like John and Gordon above, this bag was sufficient to give South Yorks 3^rd place in the team event.

North Yorkshire ‘A’, together with John Archbold & Gordon Elphee (individuals) will represent the Region in the 2011 National and International Competitions.

It is hoped that the 2011 NE Regional Competition will be held on the Thursday 19^th May 2011 at Rutland Water. (Date yet to be confirmed by Anglian Water)

Report by Malcom Naylor