Untitled Document

National Fly Fishing Competition Returns to Dartmoor

by John Ball

Picture: Dave Parker - 2005 National Rivers Champion

By kind permission of the Duchy of Cornwall the ‘Snowbee English National Rivers Final 2006’ will be held on the East & West Dart on Monday 10th July. The last time this annual event was held on the River Dart was in 1995. Since then the Final has been contested on such diverse venues as: the Eden and Derwent in Cumbria, the Teign in Devon, the Derbyshire Wye, the Wharfe in North Yorkshire and the Wear in County Durham.

The organisers, The Confederation of English Fly Fishers (CEFF), are responsible for all official National and International English competitive game fishing at home or abroad. They will be working in close co-operation with the Duchy Fly Fishing Association to ensure the event runs smoothly and fairly. Each angler will have a ‘Controller’ with him throughout the competition to ensure they comply with the rules and also to keep a record of their catch. Any experienced river anglers that are willing to act as controllers are asked to contact the organiser, below.

The competition HQ will be based at the delightful ‘Two Bridges Hotel’ and their superb ‘Fountain Room’ will be the scene of the ‘Draw for Beats’ on the Friday evening followed by a finger buffet, also the Final Dinner, Results and Prize Giving on the Monday evening. Jane Waters, the Hotel’s Marketing Manager, is delighted that Dartmoor has been chosen and that the Hotel is taking such an active part.

32 of the country’s top river anglers will be vying for the title of English National Champion and a place in ‘Snowbee Team England’, the England Rivers Team due to compete in Ireland in 2007. Amongst the contenders will be past National Champions plus current World and European team members, so competition is going to be tough. However, the draw for Beats can have a major influence on the outcome and, ultimately, it is performance on the day that will decide the final placings. Russell Weston, Managing Director of Snowbee (UK) Ltd is proud to be the main sponsor and will attend the Final Dinner to present the prizes.

Regional ‘Heats’ are already under way and will continue through till June, reducing the large number of entrants down to 32 Finalists. If you are over 18, have lived in England for 3 years, have not fished at International level for another country and would like to enter the Heats, please contact your local Federation Secretary. In case of difficulty contact the organiser below.

Programme:

• Friday 7th Official Practice Day; 7pm Finger Buffet & Draw for Beats
• Saturday 8th Rest Day; walking of beats only; Controller’s Competition, River Teign
• Sunday 9th Rest Day; walking of beats only; Fly-tying demonstrations; Bug display; Casting competitions; Tackle Shop; Information displays.
• Monday 10th Competition Day; Final Dinner, Results & Prize Giving

A limited number of tickets to the Final Dinner on Monday will be made available to the general public.
Applications to: ‘The Organiser’ 274 Iford Lane, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH6 5NG. Tel: 01202 429751