News Release

Date: 08 April 2009

Winnerweb Limited is pleased to announce that World Casting Champion, Hywel Morgan has joined the Winnerweb Challenge. Hywel Morgan will be appearing at each of the heats and the final and is excited about joining the new competition in its first year.

"The Winnerweb Challenge is going to offer anyone who either wants to competition fish for the first time or is a seasoned fisherman a chance to fish at some of our premier fisheries and on a more level playing field than many competitions offer. We are hoping this will become a firm fixture on the calendar of everyone who loves fly fishing. Come and enjoy the challenge of this new competition and enjoy the fun camaraderie that the Winnerweb Challenge will provide." Hywel said.

Hywel, one of the UK’s best competition fly anglers joined the Winnerweb team as it confirmed heat dates for the first Winnerweb Challenge on:

Saturday 23rd May 09 – Blithfield (10am – 6pm)
Sunday 24th May 09 – Stocks (10am – 6pm)
Sunday 31st May – Elinor (10am – 6pm)
The heat winner will receive £300 and entry into the final

The final will be held on:

Saturday 4th July – Toft Newton (2pm – 8pm)

There is a prize of £2000 for the winner of the final.
£10 per lb (pound) for the biggest fish
Plus runners up prizes
Entry fee to the competition can be purchased at the fisheries or online at www.winnerwebchallenge.com or by phoning 07912 266000

Charles Jardine just pulled out of this and disassociated himself - anyone know why?

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

You may have read recent statements from Charles Jardine relating to the Winnerweb Challenge. Winnerweb Limited understands that Mr Jardine has commitments which have unfortunately led to his decision to withdraw from his association with the competition. Winnerweb Limited would like to take this opportunity to thank Charles Jardine for his support with the competition and wish him all the very best for future ventures in fly-fishing.

We have as you will see anonounced that Hywel Morgan is on board and Trout Fisherman is now a media partner for the event. The dates published above have been finalised and the venues booked. Hywel as you know is a pro-competition angler and one we are extremely pleased to have supporting this brand new fishing competiton.

He must be very busy!

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Sometimes commitments to sponsors can conflict with someones ability to give their time as freely as they first thought possible. Charles Jardine has been a great asset to Winnerweb in the early structure of the competition. As mentioned we now have Hywel Morgan supporting the competiton and he is a pro-competition angler. We want to make this an exciting and successful competition for everyone competing and hope it will form a part of your regular competition fishing activities.

Now that you have sorted out your 'front man' is there any chance of a date in Scotland?

MG

Hi MG,

Unfortunately for this competition we have now confirmed all of the venues. We are however planning some very exciting ideas which will be announced once this competition is over and if all goes well we will be redressing the balance with something that will appeal to anglers in Scotland and other parts of the UK who are unable to enter the first Winnerweb Challenge.

Or even Ireland

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Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate
YOU DONT NEED EYES TO SEE YOU NEED VISION

Could you please explain what you mean by "and on a more level playing field than many other competitions offer".

I thought all competitions were held "on a level playing field" seeing as there are "rules and conditions" that apply to all entrants in any comp'. What makes this one different?

Just curious!

GH

Hi GH,

What we are alluding to here is presenting a competition that will attract seasoned anglers and people who have not entered a competition before. All competition rules differ to some degree and ours have been designed to give everyone as much chance as possible to win.

We all know that seasoned anglers will have an edge but our rules such as "A six fish bag limit will apply with any six fish counting. Therefore unlimited catch and release is allowed as part of the fish selection process. Fishing must STOP when the sixth fish is killed and you must remain in position until your fish are collected by a match official."

Within the time frame of the competition this means each angler could be faced with a dilema of whether to keep their sixth fish or return it (if fit) and hope to catch a larger fish. I know this exists in other competitions but it adds an element skill, fun and educated guesswork to the competition.