Rules
BFCC CASTING RULES
THE TACKLE RULES for the various BFCC events (single handed unless otherwise stated) are designed to be as simple and ‘user friendly’ as possible. They are as follows:
- ‘Have a go for gold’ Badge Scheme – Any commercially available or previously available (abbreviated hereafter to ‘caopa’) fly fishing rod up to 10’ (3.05m) long, marked up to #7. Rods may be repaired or reringed, but not modified. Any ‘caopa’ line up to DT or WF#7 F. Reel to hold whole line and backing. Leader min. 6’3”(1.9m), max. 11’10” (3.6m). Casting time 3min. Badges available: 25yd. and rising in 5yd steps.
- #5 Distance – Any ‘caopa’ fly fishing rod up to 9’ (2.74m), marked #5 max. Any ‘caopa’ line DT or WF#5F. Otherwise as above.
- #7 Distance – Any ‘caopa’ fly fishing rod up to 9’6” (2.9m), marked #7 max.. Any ‘caopa’ line DT or WF#7F. Otherwise as above.
- B100 Distance - Open to casters at the discretion of The BFCC and who have not previously cast 100ft or over in a BFCC #5 or #7 event, or any other similar recognised events. Entrants will cast under the rules for the #5 and #7 Distance events above and within the same the same casting competitions. The winner will be the greatest distance achieved when the results for #5 and #7 are added together.
- #9 Distance - Any ‘coapa’ fly fishing rod up to 9′ 6″ (2.9m), marked #9 max. Any ‘caopa’ line DT or WF9F. Otherwise as above.
- T38 Fly Distance – Any rod up to 9’10” (3m). Any shooting head line 38gm max. wt., 49’ 3” (15m) min. length. For ladies, youths under 18 and seniors 50 and over 34gm max., 44’ 3” (13.5m) min. length is permitted. Time 5min. Otherwise as above. In this event there exists the best chance to achieve a coveted 55yd badge.
- T120 Double Handed Fly Distance – Any rod up to 17’ (5.2m). Any shooting head line 120gm max. Leader 17’ (5.2m) max. Time 6min. For ladies, youths and seniors 50 and over there is a 15’ (4.6m) rod and 50gm line to try out. Otherwise as above.
- Leaders must be made completely of nylon or similar material and may be attached to the line by means of a braided loop, a knot or whipping. Leaders may be tapered and must have a 1” long red wool safety ‘fly’, knotted on a tippet of 8lb BS min. to avoid cracking off.
- Cracked or broken fly lines may be repaired, and damaged sections replaced with the same material, by whipping and varnishing.
GENERAL CASTING RULES which have proved to give safe and enjoyable casting are as follows:
- Casting is controlled by two judges: a senior time judge near the caster and a down-court judge to measure distances cast. The judges will help the caster with appropriate advice, ensure safe casting procedures and maintain the observance of rules.
- Casting will take place on flat grass and downwind. Casting direction will be changed, as far as possible, to take account of wind direction changes, at the discretion of the judges.
- Casters must have their feet behind the measuring tape anchor pin/Astroturf mat/ line at all stages of the delivery cast to be measured.
- Three warm-up casts are permitted before casting proper begins, but less are recommended.
- A caster can make as many casts as possible within the time permitted and the time judge will advise how time is passing.
- The down-court judge will mark the longest cast achieved by the wool ‘fly’ against a measuring tape and will relay this to the time judge, who will make a record of it. The longest single cast will determine the winner. In the event of a tie each caster will have one cast only and the longest wins, casting in the original drawn order.
- Timeouts can be used by the time judge in the event of serious line tangle or the need for a minor tackle repair. Where significant repairs are needed the time judge can ask the caster to move aside, and then return to finish their turn.
- All Casters must cast within the designated time of casting an individual casting event eg: #5; #7; T38; T120 and within the designated casting area to be ranked for individual casting competition purposes. Additional casters, casting outside the designated time, but within the designated area, will be welcome and their casts recorded but not ranked in the competition. Record casts and attempts are covered under the Records heading and Badge Scheme attempts can take place at any time during a Club Meeting.
- Casting Order The Organiser of any Club Meeting has the right to ask for the casting competition order to be decided by actually drawing lots or by random computer programme to ensure smooth running.
- No technical aids or fasteners such a wrist bands may be used, however, elastic muscle supports are permitted.
- Casters should wear glasses and a fishing hat for protection and avoid hitting any spectators with their tackle. They should also be prepared to stop casting immediately if asked to by the time judge.
- Victor Ludorum Tie Either manually or by computer a count-back will take place, based on the number of first and second places and so on, to decide the winner.
ACCURACY - The casting court and targets will be positioned at the discretion of the BFCC Field Master on the day: Casters will cast from within a 4ft diameter ring at five targets in an approximately 90 sector and equally spaced, placed randomly between 23ft and 43ft from the ring’s centre. Targets will be 36ins octagonal mixing trays called outers with 16ins diameter centres called inners, both filled with approximately 1ins depth of water.
Tackle: Rod 7 1/2ft to 9ft #6max. Line #6F max. Leader continuously tapered or knotted nylon or similar 5ft min. Tippet 6lb BS nylon or similar 2ft min. No metal fly permitted so tuft of wool or yarn to be used.
Casting: As many scoring attempts as possible in 2 mins., but caster must leave ‘fly’ long enough for the judge to adjudicate. No practise casts on court are permitted but may take place elsewhere. The time judge can permit a time-out in the event of a tackle problem.
Scoring: The ‘fly’ must float or be on the upper rim of the inner or outer to be counted. A fly on the outer wall of the inner will be counted as an outer score and a fly on the outer wall of the outer will not be counted. No bounce-ins or bounce outs will be counted. A bounce within the target will be counted where the ‘fly’ first hits. Inner hits will be counted 10 points and outer hits 5 points. The winner will score the most points or, if there is a tie, an extra one minute of casting in the orginal drawn order will take place to decide the winner.
