Nationals 2006
National Fly Fishing Championships 2006
Chew Valley Lakes
Little did I know that the big smile on Bob Handfords (Fishery Manager) face on my arrival was not so much for the fact he had seventy odd police officers and staff arrive at his fishery, but that they had brought the sun with them. Poor weather in May had seen matches being cancelled and boats being recalled during competitions due to gale force wind and rain, never let it be said that the police don’t bring a ray of sunshine into peoples lives.
This being Chew Waters Golden Anniversary as a premier trout fishery anticipation was high amongst the anglers that arrived on the 31st May for the practice day. It was anticipated that the fish would be spread out from the deep water at the dam wall to the shallows of Herriots. However, after some notable quizzing of staff, two areas were emerging as the hot spots, one from Denny Island to the Picnic Area/North Shore and the other from Spring Bay along the East Shore.
Having carried out the traditional raid on the shops fly selection , purchasing the anything that has been whispered as a “Must Have” and the usual selection of Diawl Bach’s, and “Oh, anything with red or orange the anglers set out for the practice day.
As for a report on the practice day I can not type a word, everyone was keeping their catch, their flies and of course areas where they caught the fish very close to their chest. Even the Scots who I rely heavily on for information, declined to give the slightest indication as to how they had faired, fearing I had abandoned my Celtic routes and would spread news of their success or not?
The Competition on Thursday 1st June 2006, commenced at 9am with a short briefing by Steve Evans from Avon & Somerset (Event Organiser)
Anglers were in their boats and ready by 9.15am, to avoid any unnecessary engine revving, rod poking or jostling for position I sounded the horn early to commence the competition. Although silent with their information for me the previous night, word had obviously got around that large numbers of fish were on the North Shore. As the armada of fishing boats left the harbour and turned left it was obvious the majority were heading to that area, with only a couple of boats making their way across the reservoir for the east shore.
Fishing was fast and furious in the first hour, with a number of fish falling to the orange blob near to the shore of the Picnic area. Fish were also close to the bank further along the North Shore, with a number of fish being caught on buzzers or lures on a floating line or sink tip. This method brought considerable rewards at the beginning of the competition, but anglers had to adapt as the day wore on. Whether it was the sun coming out to its full glory or the heavy concentration of boats along the north shore the fish definitely moved out into deeper water and anglers had to go down to reach them. Floating line with 18 to 20 foot leaders and nymphs worked well both in the morning as well as the afternoon those anglers that did persevere with this method were rewarded with some of the better quality fish.
A difficult day for a number of anglers, who just needed that first fish and they would have been away. Others who had done well early on, then struggled to find the right tactics in the afternoon. Whilst others, like myself, changed and changed and never got the right method, or did, but were at the wrong location, but that’s fishing.
At 5.00pm the boats started to trickle ashore for the 5.30pm finish. I set up the scales and weigh-in commenced.
The following results were recorded:
Two hundred & fifteen (215) fish were caught for 385lb with an average weight of 1lb 14oz & 3.7 per rod
Team Competition
Winners No.7 Region “South West” 23 Fish for 55lb 05oz
Runners Up No.4 Region “West Midlands” 21 Fish for 45lb 03oz
Third No.10 Region “Scotland” 17 Fish for 35lb 12oz
Heaviest Bag
Winner G. Haskins No.7 Region “South West” 8 Fish for 16lb 13oz (+9lb bonus)
Individual Competition
Winner M.Cartlidge No.4 Region “West Midlands” 8 Fish for 15lb 04oz (8lb bonus)
Runner Up N.Priestly No.3 Region “East Midlands” 8 Fish for 13lb 10oz (7.5lb bonus)
Heaviest Overall Fish
Winner I.Wood No.1 Region “NorthWest” A Rainbow Trout for 4lb 01oz
Heaviest Brown Trout
Winner M.Patterson No.11 Region “PSNI” A Brown Trout for 4lb
The Officials Competition
Winner M.Cartlidge No.4 Region “West Midlands” 8 Fish for 45lb 03oz (8lb bonus)
I doesn’t matter how many times I am involved in these events, I like all my colleagues anticipate the coming fishing match with great expectation and although visiting new waters perhaps places a little trepidation, it soon disperses with first scream of the reel. This year saw two of our veteran anglers stand down from the committee Jim Walker (Scotland) and Mark Patterson (Northern Ireland). (One of whom, you will note won the Brown Trout Trophy for the third time in its 17 year history, on “Yes you guessed it “A Pattersons Fancy” even after the competition, they tell me nothing). So our best wishes go with both of them, no doubt they will attend a good many outings in the future. Our thanks go to Bob Hanford and the Chew Water fishery staff for the excellent sport they provided. Our sponsors for this year’s event the PMAS who provided a super water bottle, for those participating dehydrated anglers out in a scorching sun. The Holiday Inn Bristol Airport for providing excellent accommodation and our final dinner. Many thanks go to Constable Steve Evans of Avon & Somerset Police, who as many saw allowed that furrowed brow to lift as the Vice Chair, Mr Brian Williams said “Gentlemen and Lady that concludes the evening
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