Rules

BFCC CASTING RULES

TACKLE RULES:

  • General – Rules concerning rods are detailed in the individual event rules below. The fly lines for the #5 and #7 events must be commercially available or previously available (‘caopa’) and unmodified. All reels must be attached to the rod and hold the whole line and backing. Casting classes are: B100, B110 and Open, there must be at least three casters competing in any given class for a competition to be run. Any caster breaking a BFCC record will have the tackle used scrutinised to ensure it complies with the event’s rules.
  • #5 Distance – Any single handed fly fishing rod up to 9ft (2.74m). Any unmodified, floating ‘caopa’ line that complies to the AFFTA #5 specification (Max weight 9.46 grams @ 30ft – if in doubt ask for it to be weighed at the event). The line must be a minimum length of 90ft. Leader maximum length 11’10” (3.6m) with unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 3min.
  • #7 Distance – Any single handed fly fishing rod up to 10ft (3.05m). Any unmodified, floating ‘caopa’ line that complies to the AFFTA #7 specification (Max weight 12.50 grams @ 30ft – if in doubt ask for it to be weighed at the event). The line must be a minimum length of 90ft. Leader maximum length 11’10” (3.6m) with unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 3min.
  • #9 Distance – Any ‘caopa’ fly fishing rod up to 9′ 6″ (2.9m), marked #9 max. Any ‘caopa’ line AFTM DT or WF9F. Leader maximum length 11’10” (3.6m) with unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 3min.
  • ST27 Sea Trout Distance – Any fly rod up to 10ft (3.06m). Any floating line/shooting head with a total max weight of 27grams and max diameter of 2mm. Running line diameter between 0.35mm and 1.00mm (any line above 1mm in diameter will be included in the head weight). Nylon leader with a maximum length of 3m (9’10”), tippet diameter unrestricted with an unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 3min.
  • T38 Fly Distance – Any rod up to 9’10” (3m). Any shooting head line 38 gram maximum weight, 49’ 3” (15m) minimum length. Leader maximum length 11’10” (3.6m) with unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 4min.
  • S55 Double Handed Salmon Distance – Any fly rod up to 15ft (4.6m). Any floating line/shooting head with a 55 gram maximum total weight, maximum diameter 3mm. Running line diameter between 0.35 and 1.0mm. Nylon leader with a maximum length of 5m (16ft), tippet diameter unrestricted with an unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 4min.
  • T120 Double Handed Fly Distance – Any rod up to 17ft (5.2m). Any shooting head line 120 gram maximum weight and a minimum of 15m in length. Maximum leader length 17’ (5.2m) with an unweighted wool ‘fly’. Casting time 4min.
  • Accuracy
    The casting court and targets will be positioned, and casting conducted, as per the World Fly Casting Championship rules.
    Casters will make 16 casts from within a 1.2m x 1.2m stand at four targets, placed randomly between 8m and 15m from the target’s centre to the front of the stand. Targets will each comprise three rings 60cm (5 points), 120cm (3 points), 180cm (1 point).
    Tackle: Rod 7.5ft to 9ft. Line AFFTA #5 floating. Leader continuously tapered or knotted nylon or similar total length 2.5m; this length must include a level tippet of at least 40cm with a diameter below 0.3mm. Fly must be a tuft of wool or yarn (as flies on cut-off hooks bounce on grass making it difficult to mark).
    When starting, the caster must hold the fly in hand, and the length of the fly line outside the tip ring cannot exceed the length of the rod. The caster must leave ‘fly’ long enough for the judge to adjudicate. No practise casts on court are permitted but may take place elsewhere. Maximum casting time: 5 mins.

GENERAL CASTING RULES:

  • Casting is controlled by two judges: a time and baseline 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/line at all stages of the delivery cast to be measured.
  • 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 record it. The longest single cast will determine the winner. In the event of a tie, there will be a shoot-out and the longest wins.
  • Timeouts can be allowed in the event of a 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. However, a timeout will not be permitted for backing tangles if the caster does not take due care to lay the running line out in a tangle-free way.
  • Casting Order will be decided by drawing lots or by a computer generated randomisation.
  • No technical aids or fasteners such a wrist bands may be used, however elastic muscle supports are permitted.
  • Casters should wear glasses and preferably a hat.
  • B100 Distance – Available 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. The winner will be the greatest distance achieved when the results for #5 and #7 are added together. After three casts of 100ft or over, the caster will progress to B110.
  • B110 Distance – Available to casters similar to B100 above except for 110ft. After five casts of 110ft or over, two of which must be with #5, the caster will then progress to the Open Class. At the discretion of The BFCC, in the case of a change in personal circumstances, casters are allowed to drop back to B100.
  • ‘Have a go‘ Badge Scheme – Casters can use any suitable fly tackle for badge attempts. Nylon leader minimum length of 6’3” (1.9m) and maximum of 11’10” (3.6m). Casting time 3min. Badges available: 20yd and rising in 5yd steps.
  • Meeting Champion – the overall meeting champion will be the caster with the lowest accumulated points score from all events available on the day. Scoring in each event will be 1 for a win, 2 for a second, 3 for a third place etc. Events in which the caster hasn’t competed will score n+1 points where n is the number of casters who did compete.
  • BFCC Champion – the annual championship will be determined by the casters best two results in all seven casting events across all the meetings attended. Scoring is as per the meeting champion i.e. the lowest overall points total wins. In the event of a tie a countback of event wins will determine the champion. The winner will be announced after the last Meeting.