Congratulations to England, please find full report below.
Cheers
Gerry
“Four Teams of fourteen anglers competed for the title of Home International Champions at Grafham Water on 27 July. England was seeking to defend their title following last year’s successful win at the Championships hosted by Wales.
Anglers must be aged 12yrs to 17yrs to have qualified to represent their country. Many successful senior anglers including the Team Coaches Rob Edmunds and Phil Longstaff, and the current World Fly Fishing Champion have benefited from the development, training and team spirit of the England Youth Fly-fishing Team and Association.
The tension and excitement was electric at last nights gala dinner and prize giving ceremony at the base for the Championships at Wyboston Lakes Hotel, Bedfordshire.
The official weigh-in of the trout caught during the match at Grafham Water was held at 1730 following a hard day’s fishing afloat in 15ft purpose built boats. The 56 anglers shared 28 boats, fishing two in a boat accompanied by a boatman/official steward.
Ahead of the Championships England were clear favourites given their impressive win last year in Wales, and the fact that Grafham Water is their home venue. Scotland were also considered to be close contenders for the title, whilst Ireland and Wales would have to put in an exceptional performance given that their teams were younger or less experienced in the tactics required on Europe's premier stillwater trout fishery.
On the day the weather proved to be changeable. A bright, sunny morning with light breeze did not bode well for a successful day's trout fishing, however as the day progressed the weather changed and it became overcast with a strong breeze blowing across the reservoir towards the south bank, leading to near ideal fishing conditions for Grafham Water.
From 1630 onwards boats were congregating in the area off the Anglian Water Fishing Lodge furiously trying to catch more fish in the final minutes of the championships. Boats were jostling for the best drifts and being cautious not to be in breach of the regulations regarding the 100 metre exclusion form other boats and the entrance to the harbour. These drifts brought the boats down towards the large crowd gathered to welcome the competitors ashore and heightened the tension and excitement as it is impossible to know how the anglers have faired until they come ashore due to strict regulations concerning communications and a ban on the use of mobile phones in a match.
Following a very tense and physical day's fishing the competitors returned to the harbour and tied-up to the marina at 1700. There were great stories of lost fish and missed opportunities, and many tired sighs of relief that the hard work was done and soon the results would be known.
The weigh-in was overseen by Anglian Water's Senior Warden Mr. John Mees. Each angler must approach the weigh-in, present their signed match card following which their total catch is weighed and recorded. The heaviest individual bag weight and combined team weight determines the overall winners.
The results of the 26th Youth Home International Fly Fishing Championships were announced at the Gala Dinner that followed the match;
1st England
2nd Ireland
3rd Scotland
4th Wales
England won by a very impressive margin, the widest margin in memory for an International Championships. Ireland did a superb job to win second and will go home very pleased with their team effort. Scotland and Wales both professed to have had a most enjoyable championships and look forward to winning next year.”
Youth International - Full Report
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