#5F – 114′ 4″ James Evans, 111′ Mike Heritage, 108’10” John Reynolds, 106′ 7″ Alex Titov, 104′ Jonathan Davies, 101′ 9″ Lee Watts, 96′ Andrew Bagshaw, 93′ Mike Roden, 91′ 3″ Louis Noble, 90′ 11″ John Forbes, 82′ 2″ Tracy Thomas, 80′ Tony Bennett, 76′ 9″ Ken Jones.

#7F – 133′ John Reynolds, 123′ 10″ James Evans, 118′ Roger Miles, 113′ 2″ Mike Heritage, 112′ Lee Watts, 109′ 9″ Tony Bennett, 106′ 7″ Andrew Bagshaw, 99′ 8″ Mike Helliwell, 97′ 6″ Jonathan Davies, 87′ 6″ John Forbes, 84′ 8″ Ken Jones, 83′ 8″ Tracy Thomas,

T38 – 166′ 4″ Andrew Bagshaw, 156′ 4″ John Reynolds, 150′ 5″ Roger Miles, 143′ 7″ James Evans, 143′ 2″ Paul Brown, 140′ 3″ Mike Heritage, 112′ 10″ Tony Bennett, 107′ Mike Helliwell.

Badges – 25yds John Lomas, Edward Pugh. 30yds Dudley Savva, Andrew Parker, Peter Taylor, John Forbes, Clint Lloyd, Mike Roden, Mike Helliwell.

The BFCC successfully completed its second public exhibition and, in spite of the recession, did nearly as well as in 2009. However, it is now clear that the expanded team operates in a very friendly and efficient way, a factor not lost on the angling public. New members Mark Surtees – tuition and Vernon Wood – stand duty, contributed very significantly to the efforts of the existing Members to produce such a good outcome.

It was good to see that our tuition is increasingly popular with the public and our visiting Members, with some from 2009 returning for a ‘refresher’. However, I suspect the Badge attempts are growing in popularity, with people returning to try for a longer distance and, even, some local fun-rivalries being settled!

The weather was generally good, if overcast to start with and very cool throughout. There was a gusty easterly wind which did not help when teaching or when the competition took place.

Competiton Results:

#5F  –  Jonathan Tomlinson 119′ 2″,  Mike Heritage 118′ 5″,  James Evans 101′ 10″,   Andrew Bagshaw 101′ 6″,  Alex Titov 98′ 5″, Mick Bell 97′ 7″, Carl Malpas (jnr) 96′ 7″,  Steven Lindley 89′ 1″,  David Fisher 82′ 5″.

#7F – Jonathan Tomlinson 128′ 5″,  Mike Heritage 125′,  Carl Malpas (jnr) 111′ 9″,  Alex Titov 109’7″,  Mick Bell 108′,  James Evans 106′ 10″,  Andrew Bagshaw 101′, David Fisher 86′ 9″,  Steven Lindley 82′ 4″.

There were some very close results at the top, which added spice to the competition, but special mention must go to Carl Malpas who, as a junior, came third in #7 – in his first casting competition!

Badge Successes:

25 yards – Paul Speed, Christopher Walker (14yrs), Richard Walker (12yrs), Peter Boyle, Simon Kearns, Alan Bath.

30 yards – Vernon  Wood, Chris Tong, David Walker.

35 yards – Terry Mann, Toby Merigan, Karl Humphries.

From a personal point of view it was great to see so many smiling faces following successful tuiton and badge attempts, which is good for the future of the Club. So, please make an entry in your diary for our next scheduled meeting at Reading on Sat. 10th July.

Reporter Mike Marshall

Early morning frost disolved as a beautifully sunny autumn day developed, with a very  light, inconsistent, north west breeze. These conditions usually produce quite difficult casting conditions, with the leader not turning over, and so it proved to be. However, there was some lively and very close competition in the distance events and, also, some very good progress made in the tuition area with a number of distance Badges achieved. In fact it is hard to imagine a more enjoyable and rewarding day’s casting!

The results were as follows:

#5F Distance – Mike Heritage 106′ 9″   Jonathan Tomlinson  106′ 7″   Paul Arden 99′ 11″   James Evans 99′ 8″   Andrew Bagshaw 95′ 9″   Terry Jenner 77′ 6″    Tracy Thomas 71′ 2″   David Fisher 66′ 8″   Nicolas Surtees (7yrs) 42′ 2″

#7F Distance – Mike Heritage 124′ 4″   Andrew Bagshaw 122′ 9″PB   Paul Arden 116′ 7″   Jonathan Tomlinson 110′ 9″   James Evans 110′ 3″   Terry Jenner 91′ 1″   David Fisher 84′ 9″   Tracy Thomas 76′ 11″

T38 Distance – Paul Arden 166′ 7″   Jonathan Tomlinson 161′ 2″   Mike Heritage 154′ 10″   Andrew Bagshaw 149′ 6″   James Evans 138′ 10″   Terry Jenner 137′ 4″   David Fisher 101′ 11″   Tracy Thomas 95′ 8″

T120 Distance – Mike Marshall 211′ 7″   Terry Jenner 194′ 5″   Jonathan Tomlinson 191′ 2″   Paul Arden 186′ 7″   Andrew Bagshaw 177′ 9″   Mike Heritage 174′ 2″   David Fisher 156′ 5″ 

Distance Badges achieved: 

25Yards – Don Andrews,  Dave East,  Andy Stanbridge.

30Yards – Tracy Thomas,  Alan Tyson,  David Fisher.

45Yards – Terry Jenner.

Regarding casting competion performances, it was good to see Mike Heritage back to form in #5 and #7 – keep up the good work Mike. However, special mention must be made about Terry Jenner’s second place in T120, using a rod new to him and a borrowed line. Andrew Bagshaw’s PB in #7 was great to watch. It was also amazing to see seven year old Nicolas Surtees casting his #5 outfit in fine style after some tuition.

Distance Badges once again proved to be an area of much interest for several casters, but pride of place must go to Tracy Thomas casting 30 yards with immaculate line loops. David Fisher’s 30 yards was the result of diligently following advice received at BFCC events and putting it into practice in a very competent manner – good work David.

This joint BFCC – Sportfish Meeting was a great success and the BFCC owes Jonathan Tomlinson and his Sportfish colleagues a considerable debt of gratitude. Not only was their hospitality second to none, but they provided many anglers needing tuition, Badge Scheme casters and a few competition entrants.

The weather was not particularly helpful with occcasional drizzle and a moderate westerly breeze which was, unavoidably, slightly across the casting line. However, such was the general enthusiasm, it did not cause a problem and some very good distances were achieved, particularly for Badges, where there were some very proud recipients.

RESULTS:

#5F Distance – Alex Titov 115′; Jonathan Tomlinson 112′ 1″; Mike Heritage 111′; Tony Bennett 99′ 6″; Ronald Girnus 94′ 6″; Steve Kemp 93′; Terry Jenner 84′ 8″.

#7F Distance – John Renolds 136′ 2″ (congratulations PB); Jonathan Tomlinson 128′ 3″; Mike Heritage 124′ 1″; James Evans 117′ 3″; Roger Miles 106′ 6″ (congratulations PB); Tony Bennett 102′ 7″; Alex Titov 100′ 8″; Ronald Girnus 98′ 10″; Steve Kemp 96′ 5″; Steve Fox 85′ 3″ ; John Kelly 74′.

25 yd Badges – P R Coker, D J Edwards, Steve Fox.                                                 

30 yd Badges – M J Williams, Steven Davies, Matthew Gregory, Vince Granata.                                                                                                                                            

35 yd Badges – Ronald Girnus, James Evans.                                                             

40 yd Badge – Peter Mcleod.

For an example of triumph over adversity, nothing beats our newest member Stevie Davies, who struggled up from South Wales with a broken hip. Over three periods of tuition, casting from a chair, he ended up casting in fine style with double haul. What, I wonder, would he be capable of when fully fit – keep up the good work Stevie?

The next BFCC Meeting is at The Brentwood Centre on the 18 Oct. 2009.

Reporter – Mike Marshall

Sunday was an almost perfect day – for holiday makers, but not for casting! We experienced almost continuous sunshine, it was humid in the morning and less so later-on, but the worst part was an occasional puff of breeze from the north east or east, followed by completely ‘dead air’. The net result was that it was almost impossible to turn the line and leader over. Tough is hardly an adequate description and distances suffered, however, those present all seemed to enjoy their day. Results were as follows:

#5F – Mike Marshall  114′ ; Andrew Bagshaw  106′ ; Alex Titov  103′ ; Mick Bell  101′ 7″ ; John Reynolds  100′ ; Carl Malpass  97′ 10″ ; Kevin Knight   93′ 11″ ; Roger Miles  87′ 8″ ; Stephen Lindley  75′ .

#7F – Alex Titov  121′ 2″ ; Carl Malpass  117′ 9″ ; Mick Bell  115′ 10″ ; John Reynolds  107′ 7″ ; Andrew Bagshaw  99′ 10″ ; Roger Miles  98′ 3″ ; Kevin Knight  96′ 11″ ; Stephen Lindley  84′ 9″ .

T38 – John Reynolds  167′ 9″ ; Andrew Bagshaw157′ 7″ ; Kevin Knight  150′ 10″ ; Mick Bell  149′ 8″ ; Stephen Lindley 143′ 9″ ; Roger Miles  140′ ; Carl Malpass  116′ 7″ .

T120 – Alex Titov  178′ ; Mick Bell  169′ 1″ ; Andrew Bagshaw  148′ 3″ ; John Reynolds  144′ ; Kevin Knight  125′ 5″ .

Performance of the day has to go to Carl Malpass (15 yrs.), down from Durham, with his all round casting, but, in particular his 117’+ in #7F. What, in the future, is this young man capable of? It was good to see Alex Titov (Russian spoken here) cast so well to win the #7F and T120, the benefits of hard work if ever I saw them. Andrew Bagshaw’s PB of 106′ in #5F pleased him no end, particularly considering the conditions. New member Stephen Lindley, from the Sheffield area, came down for some help with his casting , ended up ‘having a go and cast 143’ 9″ in T38, incredible. Finally it was great to see old friends Kevin Knight and Mick Bell doing what their right arms were made for, after absenses due to pressure of work.

Reporter – Mike Marshall

The BFCC completed its first exhibition very successfully and, over the two day Spring Fly Show, sold lots of casting tuition sessions, Distance Badges and casting books. It was, in fact, great to see such good results from the major efforts put in by those keen BFCC Members who participated.

Casting took place in largely overcast conditions with a light southwesterly breeze and the results were:

#5F – Jonathan Tomlinson 128′ 8″ ; Mike Heritage  117′ 9″ ; Alex Titov  115′ 10″ ; Tony Bennett  103′ ; John Reynolds  102′ ; Roger Miles  102′ .

#7F – John Reynolds  130′ 6″ ; Jonathan Tomlinson  126′ 6″ ; Mike Heritage 124′ 4″ ; Alex Titov  121′ 10″ ; Tony Bennett  119′ ; Roger Miles  102′ 6″; Terry Jenner  91′ 1″ .

A highlight was fifteen years old Carl Malpass who cast a #7F outfit to achieve his 40yd Badge – well done indeed!

The proud recipients of Distance Badges were:         25 yds – Vee Carlson, David Adlard, Stephen Lindley. 30 yds – Bob Carlson, Terry Mann, Angus McLeod, Roger Smith, Adam Worker. 35 yds – Lee Kelly, Shane Carlton, Peter Major. 40 yds – Carl Malpass.

Reporter – Mike Marshall

Comment from Paul Arden – Just back from the BFCC’s competition day. A great day, plenty of casting, and the casting is getting better. I’m not quite on form but I’ve been fishing in Canada and so that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. Managed a couple of victories, one a scrape win in the #5 distance and the other a surprise win in the T120. Jonathan Tomlinson pulled victory in the #7 and neither Mike nor I could beat him! Mick Bell won the T38. Next year we’ll be making sure both join us for a complete weekend so I can Palinka Sabotage their game like everyone else’s.

Special mention goes to Adam who threw 116′ in the #7 and 111′ in the #5. Snake Pliskin threw over 100′. Alex swore in Russian a few times.

A wonderful day as always, expertly organised by Mike Marshall. Mike, if you don’t know, instructs at Hanningfield, where we first met ten years ago, back in the days when I was teaching at Ardleigh. He’s a competition caster and despite the fact that he’s 103 (fishing seasons) old, he still regularly wins full line and shooting head stuff. In fact he holds the #7 record, which is outstanding

#5 – Paul Arden  122′ 5″; John Reynolds  119′ 1″; Mike Heritage  118′ 6″; Jonathan Tomlinson  113′ 4″; Adam Denes 111′ 5″; Mick Bell  109′ 2″; Andrew Bagshaw 103′ 10″; Dean Bass  95′ 7″; Andy Miller 92′ 9″; Tony Bennett  87′ 7″; Colin Howlett 85′.

#7 – Jonathan Tomlinson  132′ 4″; Paul Arden  132′; Mike Heritage  129′ 8″; Tony Bennett 123′ 7″ S60 RECORD; Mick Bell  116′ 5″; Adam Denes  116′ 3″; Andrew Bagshaw  108′ 7″; John Bishop  107′ 9″; Colin Howlett 105′; Alex Titov  104′ 7″; Roger Miles  101′ 11″; Steve Kemp  101′; Dean Bass  96′ 11″; Geoff Mitchell  96′ 1″; Terry Jenner 91′ 7″; Roy Cannon 66′.

T38 – Mick Bell 184′ 9″; John Reynolds  183′ 5″; Paul Arden 181′ 9″; Andy Miller  177′ 7″; Andrew Bagshaw  171′ 10″; Jonathan Tomlinson 171′; Dean Bass 156′; Colin Howlett  150′; Mike Heritage  147′ 8″. Tony Bennett 141′.

T120 – Paul Arden  225′ 4″; Colin Howlett 223′ 7″; Mike Marshall 220′ 8″; Andy Miller  215′ 2″; Jonathan Tomlinson 204′ 2″; Mick Bell  201′ 3″; Andrew Bagshaw 194′ 7″; Terry Jenner  180′ 4″; John Reynolds 172′; Mike Heritage 167′ 10″.

#5F – Jonathan Tomlinson 129′ 10″ ; Mike Heritage 118′ 9″ ; John Reynolds  114′ 5″; Richard Flint  112′ ; Alex Titov  110 5″ ; Tony Bennett  110′ 2″ ; Andrew Bagshaw  103′ 11″ ; Steve Morris 101′ 5″ ; John Bishop 97′ 7″ ; Anthony Williams 96′ 2″ .

#7F – Mike Marshall  142′ 1″ OR & V70 Records ; Jonathan Tomlinson 135′ 8″ ; Mike Heritage  134′ 4″ ; Tony Bennett  118′ 8″ ; Richard Flint 116′ 3″ ; Shaun Cumming 115′ 11″ ; John Bishop 108′ ; Andrew Bagshaw  108′ ; Steve Morris  103′ ; Anthony Williams 96′ 9″ .

T 38 – John Reynolds  203′ 11″ ; Jonathan Tomlinson 203′ 1″ ; Andy Miller 186′ 10″ ; Barney Wright  171′ 6″ ; Colin Howlett  169′ 2″ ; Steve Morris  168′ 5″ ; Richard Flint  167′ 6″ ; Andrew Bagshaw  165′ 4″ ; Shaun Cumming  160′ 1″ ; Tony Bennett  159′ 8″ ; John Bishop  153′ 10″ ; Mike Heritage  151′ 5″ ; Alex Titov  137′ ; Anthony Williams  115′ 4″ .

T120 – Andy Miller  248′ 11″ ; Colin Howlett  237′ 4″ ; Jonathan Tomlinson 230′ 4″ ; Shaun Cumming  208′ 3″ ; John Reynolds  197′ ; Andrew Bagshaw  190′ 11″ ; Tony Bennett  180′ 9″ ; Mike Heritage  178′ 5″ .

Badges – 35yds Alex Titov, John Bishop.

#5F – Mike Heritage  114′ 1″ ; John Reynolds  103′ 3″ ; Tony Bennett  99′ .

#7F – Mike Marshall  130′ 10″ ; Mike Heritage 127′ 9″ ; John Reynolds  121′ Tony Bennett  111′ 11″ ; Colin Howlett  96′ 10″ ; Steve Morris 94′ 7″ ; Terry Jenner 92′ 10″ .

T38 – John Reynolds  174′ 6″ ; Mike Heritage  153′ 3″ ; Colin Howlett  151′ ; Tony Bennett  149′ 9″ .

T120 – Mike Marshall  214′ ; Mike Heritage  189′ 9″ ; Colin Howlett 180′ 8″ ; Tony Bennett  162′ 6″ ; John Reynolds  159′ .

#5F – Paul Arden  129′ 11″ ; Bart De Zwaan 121′ 4″ ; Jon Allen  117′ ; Mike Heritage 109′ 1″ ; Daniel Rees 106′ 4″ ; Kevin Knight  105′ 11″ ; Paul Procter 104′ 11″ ; Mick Bell  104′ 7″; Lee Cummins  103′ ; Tony Bennett 101′ 8″ ; Rupert McArt   99′ 10″ ; Dean Bass  99′ 6″ ; Ben Dixon  98′ 7″ ; Lee Watts  98′ 3″ ; Richard Flint  94′ 7″ ; Steve Cooke  67′ 11″ .

#7F – Paul Arden  138′ 10″ ; Mike Heritage  125′ ; Richard Flint  116′ 5″ ; Kevin Knight  115′ 11″ ; Jon Allen  115′ 3″ ; Bart De Zwaan  114′ 8″ ; Daniel Rees  113′ 9″ ; Rupert McArt  113′ 5″ ; Lee Cummins  107′ 8″ ; Ben Dixon  106′ 6″ ; Mick Bell  103′ 9″ ; Dean Bass  103′ 7″ ; Lee Watts  96′ 9″ ; Tony Bennett 96′ ; Steve Cooke  72′ 10″ ; Carl Bolding  72′ 8″ ; Geoff Mitchell 72′ .

T38 – Paul Arden  156′ ; Bart De Zwaan  155′ 2″ ; Mick Bell 151′ 3″ ; Lee Cummins 148′ ; Mike Heritage  141′ 11″ ; Richard Flint  136′ 10″ ; Dean Bass  130′ ; Andy Miller  126′ 5″ ; Kevin Knight  122′ ; Colin Howlett  118′ 3″ ; Tony Bennett  116′ 1″ .

T120 – Mick Bell  195′ 10″ ; Andy Miller  188′ 2″ ; Colin Howlett  182′ 9″ ; Paul Arden 168′ 6″ ; Dean Bass  166′ 10″ ; Mike Heritage  163′ 10″ ; Ben Dixon 158′ ; Lee Cummins  150′ 9″ .