Evening, Nymph-o-maniacs! Right then, it seems yer an impatient bunch... I've already got two flies landed on my doormat, countless pm's and a couple of phone calls from eager beaver nymph weavers! So, lets get this show on the road....
I thought it was time we had another forum tying competition to brighten up our screens, and these long, cold winter nights...
The competition will be a simple, one-off, fun event for all to enjoy either by participating, or by just simply relishing the creativity on display.
The competition is open to all forum members.
As you may have guessed, the 'brief' is simply 'The Nymph' in all it's myriad forms and guises - River or Stillwater. You have plenty of scope here folks... for the purposes of our competition 'The Nymph' includes:
Classic Ephemerid type patterns - PTN style etc.
Buzzers.
Diawl Bachs.
Crunchers.
Shrimpy business.
Stoneflies.
Damsels.
Czech/Polish/Woven etc
Etc etc etc.
Before anyone asks..... Although the original Booby was in fact called 'The Booby Nymph', 'Boobies' will not be acceptable!
All you have to do is come up with a cool, 'new' nymphy pattern. Maybe you've got something you've been tinkering with for a while.. well here's your perfect opportunity to showcase it. Maybe you have a cunning twist to a favourite classic nymph? Or maybe you have more new ideas flowing than Wee Jimmy has Hanah Montana Annuals? Any of the afforementioned will fit the bill just fine.
Please,
all feel welcome to participate. Don't be put off if you're a relative novice or even a complete beginner - keep it simple and tie within your ability... just enter! And remember, some of the most devilishly effective and stunningly beautiful flies are simple, easily tied affairs. It just takes one moment of inspiration and a couple of simple, cheap materials. Give it a go.
OK, so if you've got the idea and intend to enter, please read the following carefully....
PM me to declare your intention to enter.
Tie TWO identical (or as near as damn it) nymphs. All nymphs will go to auction for Mr Trout's
'Let's Tackle Cancer' charity auctions campaign.
Closing date for entries will be 10th January 2011.
After the nymphs have been photographed I will post a 'parade' of all the entries. Your fly will be accompanied by a number and remain anonymous throughout the judging process. I will post more on the judging procedure later, but in a nutshell, the flies will be voted for by forum members, to establish a shortlist, depending on the number of entries. The shortlist will then be whittled down to the top 5 and winner by several 'guest' judges and well respected forum members. Only forum members with a join date of 9th Decemeber 2010 or before will be eligible to vote.
Please folks, do not send your flies recorded or registered... my postman is seriously limp-wristed when it comes to knocking on the door... I kid you not, 9 times out of 10 I will get a card through the door when I was in the house all along, and have to venture into town to collect packets from the P.O.
If you're flies are not too bulky, then simply place them inside a folded envelope, or a zip-lok bag or similar - inside the outer envelope. Your 'letter' will be cheaper that way too - it only takes a thin Kamasan box to put the letter into 'packet' territory, and cost you more dosh. Bulkier flies will just have to be packed as needs be, and incur the packet charge - please do not send recorded or registered though.
Prizes.... I have already secured a few prizes of goody bags/tying materails from Neil at
Anderson Angling, and Toby at
FunkyFlyTying.
Both are renowned forum trade members and have given generously and selflessly. Have a butchers at their sites.. both have a fantastic range of yummy nymphy tying products that might just give your entry the edge.
Also, our friend Midlander has generously offered up some of his mouthwatering, not to mention, exclusive Seals fur colours towards the prize stash.
If anyone wishes to contribute to our prize fund in any way, big or small, please feel free to do so and drop me a PM.
That's enough from me for now... I think you'll all just about have the idea. Any queries, please don't hesitate to PM.
Perfect tension to yer threads, and good luck!
Rob.
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UPDATE....
Just secured another great prize for our comp... Ian Woods (A.K.A Grommit) at
Game Fishing Supplies has been incredibly generous and supportive, and proffered a superb contibution to our prize stash.... A £100 voucher, or a Anvil Apex vice!!! The lucky winner will have to make the choice!
Ian has a habit of supporting competitions on this forum and furnishing them with great prizes. He also has a habit of providing an unbeatable service at his award winning shop, mail-order business, and here on the forum. Take a look at their site next time you need a great a price and reliable service.
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UPDATE....
We now have the perfect addition to our prize stash... most fitting, and a little link with nymphing history...
Nick Sawyer (Frank Sawyer's grandson) has kindly donated a copy of 'Frank Sawyers Nymphing Secrets' - A collection of articles and unpublished work by Frank Sawyer on the delicate art of nymph fishing, with illustrations and diagrams by world famous Swedish artist Thommy Gustavsson.
As you all probably know, Frank too was a Nymph-O-Maniac! He aslo had a couple of bright ideas when it came to nymph tying and fishing. You might just have heard of the Pheasant Tail Nymph, Grey Goose Nymph, and the Killer Bug - just a few of Franks legandary creations which have accounted for as many trout around the globe in the last 50 years as probably any other fly you care to mention.
Have a look here -
Sawyer Nymphs - for more info.
This is genuine generosity and support here guys and gals. A big thank you from me, and I'm sure from all of you to our prize contributors:
Forum Tying Competition - 'The Nymph'
Will reply with further details.
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