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GMP Report 2009

GMP 50/50 Fly Fishing Section Open

Stocks Reservoir - 12^th August 2009

Not even the hearty full cooked English breakfast, stunning vistas and

jovial banter could prepare the members of GMP's latest Sports and Social Section, the 50/50 Fly Fishing Club for the challenging day that lay ahead at Stocks Reservoir, Bowland Forest, Lancashire.  The fishery is the largest in the Northwest of England with over 350 acres of water and 4.5 miles of fishable shoreline finding the fish was always going to be a challenge. 

For the 50/50 members this was a challenge they knew they would have to master, if as is their ambition they are to go on and compete at a national and international level in inter service tournaments through Police Sport UK (PSUK).  The event was part funded by the Force Sports and Social and was organised by the newly elected Secretary of the Club, Tameside officer Chris Brook.

Fly anglers from across the force were joined by guests and two members of Cheshire Constabularies Fly Fishing Squad Chris Webster and Ian Hodgson who are already part of a well established section.  This showed from the off as at 10am when the tournament commenced they were well prepared and on their way with a fish in the bag leaving much of the GMP contingent still talking in the car-park.

Stocks Reservoir Fly Fishery offered the perfect day out, superb quality trout, a setting of natural beauty and a friendly atmosphere. Anglers who glanced away from their fly for a moment quickly became captivated by the wildlife and stunning scenery.  This type of venue is typical of the open water venues used in Inter Service Match Fishing

Competitors took to their 15' Coulam wooden loch boats and were quickly able to motor out to their area of choice.  This was the point when member started to realise just how difficult and undertaking they had made.  Guest Richard Ruff hooked into a large Rainbow of around 5lb and lost the fish at the gunnels of the boat.  This was to prove a costly mistake as the pair along with every other GMP anlger other than the Muslim Police Associations Yousef Dar failed to bank a fish all day.

The weather was warm with occasional sunshine punching holes in the clouds but a stiff westerly wind ran straight down the venue making conditions unpleasant and offering nowhere to hide.  Competitors moved from mark to mark without success.  The local guide then spread the word that the fish were starting to rise to dry flies and it was not long before guest Allan Collingwood on his first attempt at Fly Fishing was snapped of by a good fish early in the afternoon.  Allan and boat partner Chris Brook knew conditions were tough and realised this loss was significant.  Allan did however manage to tempt a stock fish of 2.7lbs on a dry fly as conditions improved.

It was however down to the lads from Cheshire to show a master class of competitive fly angling.  Chris Webster capitalised on the rising afternoon fish to bag three trout for a second place 6.11lb total.  But honours rightly went to Cheshires Ian Hodgson who bagged three fish in the tough morning conditions and added a fourth fish in the afternoon for a match winning total of 8.11lb and the heaviest fish went to Chris Webster with 2.85lbs.

GMP Sports and Social donated prize money which Stocks Fishery matched to bring a welcome prize total worth over £200 to the event.  After the proceedings the section held a brief AGM in which it was decided Stocks and Ladybower Reservoir would be GMP home venues and that the aim of the section would be to develop a team capable of competing in PSUK events.

If you are interested in competing for GMP in Fly Fishing, no previous experience is required. 

 Please contact Chris Brook pin number (06762) via e-mail or on mobile 07919545090.

Results

1.        Ian Hodgson (Cheshire) - 8.11lb

2.       Chris Webster (Cheshire) - 6.11lb

3.       Yousef Dar (GMP) - 2.7lb - Joint - Allan Collingwood (Guest) - 2.7lb