Guilsborough was a new venue for the BFCC which was made a success by people attending for tuition and entering the comps – many thanks to all those who came. The weather on the day could be best described as oppressively hot, with high humidity and little to nothing in the way of a consistent breeze. As such making long casts in all the distance categories was about as tough as it gets. The competition events kicked off with the accuracy and proceeded on to the T38, S55 and T120. After a short break, and a re-direction of the casting court, the day concluded with the #5, #7 and ST27 events. As always the following results are in feet and inches:

#5 Trout Distance: Nick Moore 122.00; Kei Okamoto 117.10; John Reynolds 116.08; James Evans 116.05; Chris Avery 107.04; Howard Bishop 106.01; Andrew Bagshaw 104.09; Edward Brassey 102.08; Rich Ticehurst 99.11; John Macartney 97.00 ; Tracy Thomas 96.01; Allen Betts 45.00

#7 Trout Distance: Nick Moore 136.06; Howard Bishop 128.02; Andrew Bagshaw 120.06; John Reynolds 119.11; James Evans 117.00; Chris Avery 116.09; Kei Okamoto 113.06; Edward Brassey 106.10; Rich Ticehurst 101.10; John Macartney 87.05

B100 (#5 + #7): Edward Brassey 209.06; Rich Ticehurst 201.09; John Macartney 184.05

ST27: James Evans 141.05; Kei Okamoto 138.02; John Reynolds 130.01; Andrew Bagshaw 129.02; Nick Moore 125.04; Tracy Thomas 123.06; Howard Bishop 123.00; Chris Avery 122.00; Edward Brassey 121.10; John Macartney 110.04; Rich Ticehurst 107.04

S55: John Reynolds 168.02; Tracy Thomas 163.08; Chris Avery 163.01; Andrew Bagshaw 158.11; James Evans 157.03; Howard Bishop 149.00; Kei Okamoto 147.11; Rich Ticehurst 142.02

T38: James Evans 156.05; Rich Ticehurst 152.06; John Reynolds 145.07; Kei Okamoto 145.04; Howard Bishop 135.01; Andrew Bagshaw 129.04; Tracy Thomas 127.10; Chris Avery 107.02

T120: James Evans 185.01; Chris Avery 174.01; Kei Okamoto 167.01; John Reynolds 157.01; Rich Ticehurst 155.02; Howard Bishop 145.01; Tracy Thomas 144.02; Andrew Bagshaw 141.09

Accuracy (points): James Evans 55; Kei Okamoto 47; John Reynolds 45; Tracy Thomas 44; Howard Bishop 30; Rich Ticehurst 26; Nick Moore 26; Andrew Bagshaw 7; Adrian Forsell 6

Overall event (percentage): 1st James Evans 674.57; 2nd John Reynolds 634.51; 3rd Kei Okamoto 633.16

Senior (65+) Overall: 1st John Reynolds 634.51; 2nd Howard Bishop 576.31

The weather forecast for the first BFCC event of the year was not great and perhaps this put off some potential attendees. On the day though, apart from maybe five minutes of light rain, the pitch remained dry. The wind was supposed to start light and then strengthen, however the accuracy discipline was cast in a stiff breeze which then proceeded to disappear when it was really wanted for the S55, T38 and T120 outfits. After a leisurely lunch break the wind re-appeared for the afternoons #5, #7 and ST27 competitions. As always the following results are in feet and inches:

#5 Trout Distance: James Evans 137.02; Nick Moore 134.07; Steve Parkes 125.01; Tracy Thomas 124.06*; Howard Bishop 115.01; Stewart Ross 112.11; Chris Avery 109.07.

#7 Trout Distance: Howard Bishop 134.01*; Steve Parkes 133.04; Nick Moore 132.05; James Evans 126.06; Chris Avery 120.07; Stewart Ross 118.04; Tracy Thomas 116.01.

ST27: James Evans 169.05; Steve Parkes 152.02; Nick Moore 151.03; Tracy Thomas 141.03; Stewart Ross 141.02; Chris Avery 139.08; Howard Bishop 129.06.

S55: James Evans 183.02; Stewart Ross 169.01; Howard Bishop 165.02; Tracy Thomas 160.07; Steve Parkes 156.08; Nick Moore 154.04

T38: James Evans 163.05; Steve Parkes 149.05; Nick Moore 149.01; Howard Bishop 142.10; Stewart Ross 137.08; Tracy Thomas 131.01.

T120: James Evans 200.04; Steve Parkes 193.07; Stewart Ross 188.04; Chris Avery 184.05; Howard Bishop 164.05; Tracy Thomas 164.00 ; Nick Moore 147.00.

Accuracy (points): James Evans 47; Tracy Thomas 46; Nick Moore 40; Steve Parkes 27; Howard Bishop 20; Stewart Ross 13; Chris Avery 12.

Overall event (percentage): 1st James Evans 694.07; 2nd Nick Moore 619.87; 3rd Steve Parkes 611.09

Senior (65+) Overall: 1st Howard Bishop 562.16; 2nd Stewart Ross 551.40

*Records: Tracy extended her overall (and S50) women’s #5 trout distance record. Howard Bishop beat the S(60) #7 trout distance record. Well done to both.