For those of you that wonder what a day at a BFCC event can do for you then I suggest you pop here  and have a read http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/casting/347130-bfcc-give-go.html . Many Thanks Ed, we really appreciate your comments.

Horrible day for competing but a great day for instructing. You can’t have everything, can you. After the rain on the previous day the air was heavy and nothing flew, even with the help of breeze that came and went and changed direction now and then.

We were pleased to have a visit from Mike Marshall, who immediately stepped into instructor mode and also went on to cast a new V70 record in the T38 of 151′ 8”, which just goes to show that it’s technique that counts, not brute force.

On the competition front there really isn’t  anything outstanding to comment on, James and Steve outshone on the day but were hotly pursued buy Mick Copeman in the #5 and Craig Brown in other events. Where are you serious distance guys? we need to add some spice to the comps.

Mike, Mark Surtees and I, with some help from Bob Goble, gave those that came for instruction some pretty intensive instruction on the day. As you read in Ed Turneys comments we do our best to help improve the casting of those that ask for help.

You may have read that The BFCC had several rods stolen a while ago and we are in the process of replacing them so we are very grateful for some outfits that have been donated. Charles Jardine has donated a #5 Sonic. Dan Shillabeer for 8′ 6′ #4 with reel and line, perfect for some of our younger members and students and, Steve Parkes for a 9′ 6” #7 Atom Six, for the big boys to play with. Many thanks guys, we really do appreciate it.

Willesborough Cricket Club once again proved superb hosts and a big thank you to Bobby Ades and others who provided the refreshment.

I am sure I speak for everyone when I send our best wishes to Wendy Bath who is fighting a serious illness. Go Girl.

Mike H

The morning conditions for the T38 and T120 events were windless with cool, damp air.  The afternoon events (#5, #7 and ST27) were delayed slightly due to a rain shower, upon re-starting an occasional light breeze blew into the casting arm of the right handers, so again far from ideal.

Distances are in feet and inches:

#5F – James Evans 115.00; Mick Copeman 109.07; Steve Parkes 107.10; Mike Heritage 100.07; Craig Brown 100.00; Dan Shillabeer 98.09; Tracy Thomas 92.06; David Fisher 90.05; Robert Goble 82.06

#7F – Steve Parkes 122.03; Mike Heritage 120.03; Craig Brown 120.03, James Evans 116.06; Dan Shillabeer 114.02; Tracy Thomas 109.06; Mick Copeman 103.10; David Fisher 97.03; Robert Goble 91.01

B110 (#5F + #7F) – Dan Shillabeer 212.11; Tracy Thomas 202.00; David Fisher 187.08; Robert Goble 173.07

ST27 – James Evans 133.08; Craig Brown 128.07; Steve Parkes 127.06; Mike Heritage 121.00; Tracy Thomas 113.11; Dan Shillabeer 105.07; Mick Copeman 103.04; David Fisher 99.08; Robert Goble 95.10

T38 – James Evans 166.07; Steve Parkes 155.00; Craig Brown 152.01; Mike Marshall 151.08; Mike Heritage 144.08; Dan Shillabeer 141.03; David Fisher 123.04; Robert Goble 117.03; Mick Copeman 115.07; Tracy Thomas 113.00

T120 – James Evans 196.05; Steve Parkes 181.01; Craig Brown 176.08; Mike Heritage 166.00; Robert Goble 164.03; Tracy Thomas 150.02; Dan Shillabeer 124.08; David Fisher 113.07

Overall (points) – James Evans 8; Steve Parkes 11; Craig Brown 15;  Mike Heritage 19; Dan Shillabeer 30; Tracy Thomas 34; Mick Copeman 34; David Fisher 39; Robert Goble 40.

Records – In very difficult conditions Mike Marshall managed to beat the V70 T38 record – many congratulations

It was great to get the BFCC roadshow up and running with the first event of the year at the Cullompton cricket club ground in Devon.  There was a good turn-out of fly-fishers from the local area and from much further afield, thankfully the motorways were clear!

On arrival everybody was refreshed with tea and coffee and the introductory briefing was provided by Mark Surtees and myself.  We then commenced the fly-casting with a demo from Trevor Hayman AAPGAI on single handed Spey casting.  Several people commented that Trevor made these casts look so effortless.

Casters were then split into groups for tuition, led by Mark Surtees MCI, Sekhar Bahadur MCI, Mike Heritage MCI and Trevor AAPGAI.  These instructors ensured that everyone attending the event got the best instruction possible, and they are all very much thanked for their efforts.  Those participating included four young lads, who are very keen anglers, taking advantage of the BFCCs new policy of free membership and tuition for juniors.  Andy Parker, Rob Doyle and John Clark are also thanked for providing extra tuition when needed.

As far as the competition went, Steve Parkes’ practice has paid off with him taking top spot in the #5 event with a stunning cast of over 126ft (the first time he’s gone over 40 yards in a 5 weight comp) as well as winning the ST27 event.   John Clark won the B100 in his first ever BFCC competition, closely followed by John Dawson.  The #7, T38 and T120 events were mopped up by James Evans.   I managed to extend my women’s records with the #5 and T120 outfits, which I was particularly pleased about – hopefully there’s more distance to come as I work on some specific details.  At this point I should also mention young James Mockridge, he did a fantastic job of judging one of the casting lanes and then went on to cast 65ft himself once the competition was completed.  Many thanks James, next time I think you’ll give your dad a run for his money!

Finally a big ‘Thank You’ to John Dawson for his sterling effort to promote the event which resulted in such a good turn-out and to Richard and his wife from the Cricket Club who hosted the event and provided a constant supply of drinks. Thank you also to Rob and Tony for the lunch-time sandwich run, and to everyone else who helped out during the day, we couldn’t have done it without you.

The next BFCC event is the Sportfish show in Theale on the 7/8^th of May.  We will be providing instruction and advice, so please pop over and say hello if you’re attending.  The next competition day is on the 22^nd of May in Ashford, Kent.

Tracy