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BFCC Fly Casting Competition at Trentham Gardens

On 24 and 25 October, the British Fly Casting Club (BFCC held its second fly casting competition at the British Fly Fair in Trentham Gardens. Fourteen fly casters from many parts of the country took part in a friendly competition comprising fisherman’s fly distance using a standard 7 weight outfit and a standard 5 weight outfit, single-handed trout distance (an ICSF tournament grade event), and a chance to become part of the 55 yard club using any fly tackle capable of attaining that distance on flat ground.

Saturday was a practise day and was interspersed with heavy downpours and squally winds. Plenty of practise time was possible though between the cloudbursts and some very respectable warm-up distances were achieved. It showed that the competition was going to be fierce for the following day.

Sunday, weather-wise, was completely different. Although the weather report called for a windy day coupled with bouts of rain, the fly casters saw neither during the morning casting rounds. The competitors had a great time and got to share their casting knowledge and techniques. We were happy to welcome back the co-founder of the 55 yard club, Mike Marshall. He provided the casters with another fine demonstration of distance casting form/mechanics and showed each of us that seniors can perform well in tournament events.

7 & 5 Weight fly fisherman’s distance

A 7 weight and 5 weight outfit were provided by BFCC member and FFF instructor Carl Hutchinson for these events to create a sense of fairness and to test each caster’s ability and to come to grips with a new casting outfit. To make sure that everybody had a chance to get as much out of this event as possible (casting practice and a chance to beat their previous personal best), it was decided again to have morning and afternoon casting rounds. The morning session for both classes was dominated by Pete Sutton (APGAI), John Allen and Carl Hutchinson (FFFA & E). Pete’s longest 7 weight cast was 116.58 feet, followed closely by Carl’s 113.25 feet nd then John Allen’s effort at 112 feet.

In the 5 weight division, the tables were turned with John Allen reaching 112.0 feet, Pete Sutton getting a close second with 109.08 feet and Carl Hutchinson coming in third with 108.33. The wind did show up intermittently in the afternoon session where again some fine distances were thrown. Unfortunately, do to a lack of space, the double-handed fly distance event could not be contested, but the 7 weight event showed some very respectable increases for some of the intermediate casters. This gave the BFCC the chance to hand out a new prize for Greatest Improvement on the Day which went to Paul Brown, who is also the designer of the BFCC logo, with an improvement from 83.83 feet to 97.08 feet in the afternoon! A whopping 13.25 feet improvement!

Single-hand trout distance/55 Yard Club

Fourteen casters enjoyed throwing the equivalent of a 17 weight fly outfit 9 (9 foot rod, 38 gram / 53 foot Airflo shooting head line with 8 pound mono as running line) provided by Mike Marshall, and most were amazed at how far they could launch a shooting head despite the lack of puff. Carl Hutchinson, showing what practice can do, increased his distance from 126 feet last time around at Huntingdon to 159 feet to win the event coming just short of the 55 yard – 165 feet - club entry. Second place was very close indeed with Dilwyn Parry reaching 156.84 feet and Rob Caley coning in a very close third with 156.33 feet. None of the new casters were able to gain their 55 yard club badge but it’s only a matter of time and technique, and they too will make the grade.

Prizes

All 14 casters went home with a healthy assortment of prizes supplied by Carl Hutchinson of DEETfree Ltd., and event winners received a portable radio supplied by Corporate Fly Rods to whom we extend our warmest thanks. Colin Howlett of the UKSF generously provided trophies to the top casters in all three events. Thanks also go out to Mike Marshall for kindly supplying badges for each distance achieved.

2004 Events

The next BFCC fly casting competition will be held in early 2004 most probably at Huntingdon race course in association with their first UKSF event of the new year. All interested fly casters who want to give any of the events a go are requested to contact Dr Sam Davis (BFCC Founder) on samuelpdavis@hotmail.com or 01273 550278.Further information on the BFCC can be found at www.thebfcc.co.uk