A huge congratulations to my wife Martha Thomson and her perenial mixed pairs partner Rob Edmunds for winning this event.

They bagged by 2.30pm and weighed in at 43lb 15oz including time bonus. The actual weight of their 16 fish was 36lb 15oz (Martha 20lb and Rob 16lb 15oz).

Congratulations also to Scarlett Hodgeson & James Hunt in second place with 14 fish for 29lb 11oz and to Joan Russell & Mark Andrews in third place with 10 fish for 22lb 11oz.

A special mention should also go to Sean Cutting for biggest fish at 5lb 1oz and James Hunt with biggest bag at 21lb 10oz.

17 pairs caught 96 fish in total, rod average of 2.82.

The event was marred slightly at the prize giving dinner, when the organisers took the shine off everyones day by criticising and chastising those whom had used the 'roly poly' style of retrieve.

Although the match is fished to 'International rules', there was absolutely no mention at the briefing that 'roly poly' could not be used, when there are many many matches and comps that whilst fished to 'International rules', still allow 'roly poly', the Lexus European and the Fulling Mill for examples, even certain eliminators (not mine the 'Odds & Sods' I may add though).

Am no conspiracy theorist, however I can only deduce that this appalling and disgraceful attempt to undermine Martha and Rob was borne via quite shameful jealousy. The parties involved should be ashamed. Looking around the room, I could see that many people were quite embarrassed by the fact the matter was even brought up and a couple of us even spoke out in disgust, however what stunned me even more was those very few whom tut-tutted, I had actually witnessed two of them myself on the water using this style of retrieve on occasions. When this was mentioned to one of those shameful head shakers, their response was, "Well, I only did it for five minutes"

Even after the dinner, prize giving, auction and raffle, discussions for and against carried on outside amongst the smokers. One incident that left me completely aghast was when I said, "Roly-poly or not, Martha and Rob absolutely smacked the rest of the field anyway", one individual whom will remain nameless said, "Well, there is no need to bring violence into this is there?"

Absolutely shameful the mentality sometimes. No wonder we have those strongly against comp angling when we have situations like this, it just gives them more ammunition.

Well, I had a great day anyway and was a pleasure to see several old friends and faces.

Tightlines!

The Pirate

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

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Congratulations to Martha and Rob , obviously Martha is on a flyer Stuart . Sad to here about the mutterings , but if the Roly Poly was not banned , then put it down to sour grapes , success brings both reward and envy.

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its not how you tie your flies , its how you tease your flies

Well done to Martha and her fishing partner,
Just a pity that the shine was taken off a bit by some jealous *****

Regards Gary

International Rules state the rod must be hand held when working flies or retrieving line. Roly Poly is therefore not allowed and criticism could be expected.

Different competitions fishing to Int Rules often vary them slightly and cover the variations at the briefing which is fine. Any rule not changed applies. The 'hand held' rule was presumably not changed by the organisers I would therefore not have fished the roly poly as it broke the rules. If I was unsure I would have asked the organisers at the briefing.

I know nothing about this particular competition but I am not sure promoting breaking the rules in competitions is beneficial to competition fishing.

I may have misunderstood something in your post, if so I am sorry.

Well done Martha !

I still have no idea why the roly poly is banned in some comps - it's just a less tiring way of pulling. Success always breeds jealousy so don't let it spoil the win.

Charlie

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates

Very well done to both Rob & Martha, roly poly or not you both seem to be on a roll this season, long may it continue. To the person who said he only did it for 5mins, you should be ashamed.

My personal view is it just another way to retrieve your flies at a constant speed which fish find irrisistable at times, and it's less tiring on your fingers then a fast fo8.

Keep on catching you two

Regards

Andy

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Let's "Tackle Cancer" supporter.
World Record Holder for Navigating the length of Loch Ness.......on a Pedalo!!!

Yes John, you have misunderstood my post am afraid.

I wasn't promoting or condoning rule breaking in any way, shape or form; I was however promoting/encouraging clarity, transparancy and proper communication.

More comps/matches allow 'roly poly' than disallow it these days and it would appear that because nothing was mentioned at the briefing banning 'roly-poly', a number of anglers (not just the winners) used this popular and widely accepted form of retrieve.

Now, the organisers will am sure argue that they stipulated 'International rules'; therefore needn't have had to make it clear at the briefing that 'roly-poly' wasn't allowed and anglers shouldn't assume they can use it, however as stated, a number of anglers used this retrieve at certain times during the match quite simply because nothing had been instilled in their minds at the beginning to make clear this was an unacceptable form of retrieve, when as stated it is widely accepted in other 'International rules' matches nowadays.

Am sorry if anyone disagrees with me, but any exclusions on widely accepted methods should have been made clear by the organisers at the outset and nothing should have been mentioned at the prize giving either, this matter should only have been brought up and discussed/debated at the next committee meeting, instead of marring the event itself.

It should also be noted that my views and beliefs are not necessarily those of my wife, I don't speak for her, I speak for myself. If anyone has any issues with these views, then take it up with me, not my wife.

Tightlines!

The Pirate

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

Presumably, the winning pair and all of the others who used the roly poly, were not challenged during the match about its legality? Also did anyone put in a complaint during the stipulated time at the end of the match. Sour grapes to me here.

Well done again Martha. Keep it up. Just ignore those going on about the roly poly. Bad loosers if you ask me.

A

Thank you all very much, it was a fantastic fishing day.... the winning part was only a bonus really, thank you, thank you and thank youuuu!

For the other side of the comp.... well is really disappointing that a FRIENDLY match could turn like that, but hey! many people are so unhappy with their own lives that their bad energy is with them all the time.... I am into fishing because I love it... I do competition fishing because I like a challenge TO MYSELF..... If I lose... I am happy for the winners as they deserve it and have plenty of respect for my fellow anglers and competitors.. if we carry on like this the good spirit of competition fishing will disappear and we should work together not against each other!

Tight lines! xx
Martha Thomson.