 |
Open Fly Fishing Championships, 2003 |
| Date: | 8th June, 2003 |
| Time: | 2:30pm to 5:30pm |
| Venue: | Clypse and Kerrowdhoo Reservoirs |
|
Clypse and Kerrowdhoo reservoirs was the venue for this years Manx Telecom Open Fly Fishing Championships. A fantastic turnout of thirty nine anglers turned up to supported the event. The competitors tackled up in the over crowded car park in the rain. Spirits did not appear to be dampened by the wet conditions, and the talk in the car park was lively. Competitors gathered at the gate at the bottom of the lane for the briefing and thanks to the sponsors, Manx Telecom, Masterline International and Rowland Westcott Tackle Company. The field split quickly at the start with half going down to the Kerrowdhoo, the other half favoring the Clypse. |
 (Above: Competitors waiting at the gate.) |
The competition turned out to be a game of two halves. The cold wet conditions of the first hour saw people bending rods into hard fighting fish. The fish appeared to be gathered at the windward side of the reservoirs, in the neck of the Kerrowdhoo and at the neck of the Clypse. A few competitors expecting good catches elected to return their first smaller fish. This proved to be a mistake.
The sun came out as the wind picked up. As the conditions very quickly got brighter and warmer, so this appeared to put the fish off. As quickly as the sun came out, the fish disappeared, perhaps to deeper water to escape the bright conditions. Wherever they went, it became apparent that no one was able to find them.
|
|
At the weigh in, the returns were manly ones and two fish per competitor that was lucky enough to catch anything. The three juniors entered this year and competing for not only the main prizes but also a rod donated by Dave Horne, were unlucky not to catch. As all 3 are members of the Fly Fishers it was decided that the rod will be given to the junior with the most points in the championship at the end of the season. Ian Wrench had the heaviest of the two fish bags, which secured for him third place. Andy Bertie held his ground on the point of the Clypse and was successful in landing 3 fish and giving him a highly commended second place. The winner this year was Geoff Thomas who worked hard in the neck of the Kerrowdhoo, casting his flies into the wind and stripping them hard. His efforts were to reward him with 4 fish. The only full bag to be taken in this years competition. (Left: Geoff Thomas collects his prize from Kevan Madigan ) |
|
The heaviest fish of the competition was taken by Dave Howe. Dave bucked the trend in the second half of the competition by in the last five minutes catching a single rainbow of 2 lbs 1.5 ozs. Everyone that caught a fish won a prize. Prizes were presented to the winners by Kevan Madigan of The Roland Westcott Tackle Company, and Chairman of the Isle of Man Fly Fishers. Many thanks to Manx Telecom our main sponsors, and to The Roland Westcott Tackle Company and Masterline International for their additional support. Thanks also to all the competitors that turned out to support the event. (Right: Dave Howe collects his prize from Kevan Madigan ) |
 |
|
|
(Left: Some of the prize winners at the competition) |
