Evening thrillseekers... Are we all ready for some wet fly porn then? Good! Well here it is at last. The brief was a wide one, some may say maybe too wide? Main thing was to get as many as possible to have a go, and forty six of you duly obliged, taking up the wet fly challenge and furnishing me with some really wonderfull work. We've got entries from the usual suspects - the 'big-guns' of the tying section who brighten our screens on a daily basis. A few of the 'quiet men' decided to make a bit of noise for a change too. Perhaps most satisfying though, is the number of entries from lads who have only relatively recently tried their hand at the dark art - well done, and thanks for making the effort.
The great thing about this comp is that I get the feeling that most, if not all of the entrants do so for the fun of it - whether you're a relative novice just seeing how you fare against the 'experts', or a crafty fettler of fur and feather, I get the impression that the prizes are simply a bonus, and it's all done in a great spirit. Thanks lads. Having said that, the fact remains that there are some knockout prizes up for grabs, and someone will them... so let's get on with it!
Voting - Please read carefully if you intend to vote
Ok, voting... The overall winner will be established over two rounds, the first of which will be 'public' voting. All forum members (with a join date prior to 1st Jan 2012) are invited to cast their votes by simply posting their choices on this thread. Tyers are allowed to vote, but obviously not for themselves. Decide on your overall winner, your runner up, and your third place, and post your choices thus:
Example:
1st Fly No. 12
2nd Fly No. 37
3rd Fly No. 3
By all means wax lyrical about the reasons for your choices if you wish, indeed, please do, but please be sure to make your choices clear and simple as in the example above.
I have organised a posse of vote counters (Cramppy, Jim Doyle, Stuart Pengs, Shamus, Marks, Christy27) who will keep a beady eye on proceedings and will award 3 points for a first place vote, 2 points for a runner-up vote, and 1 point for a third place vote.
Public voting will remain open for one week, closing at midnight on Monday 13th Feb. Votes will be counted a.s.a.p. and the top 10 flies will then go on to round two - to be scrutinised by the judges (Midlander, North Country Angler, Stan Headley, Neil Anderson, and myself) and the overall winner, plus places down to 5th place.
As a bonus prize, and as last year, the fly with that gains the most votes from public voting will be awarded a special prize (yet be decided). This year, and in future, this prize will be called
The Stevie Wright 'People's Choice' Prize, after our late fellow forum member and friend 'Fortbhoy' who sadly left us just a few short weeks ago. Stevie entered a fly into the competition, which I will reveal towards the end of the comp in the event of Stevie's fly not figuring in the final 5.
Stevie's 'People's Choice' prize is not the overall winner, does not affect the second round of judges votes in any way, and does not carry any extra weight in the form of points or anything else into the second round. It is simpy a wee bonus prize to recognise the fly that receives the most votes from the public vote.
A quick word on your choices... This isn't a 'technical' tying competition as such. Forget the rib spacings, size of the head, and don't get too hung up on classic proportions etc. We're simply looking for great ideas, and that 'Ooooh' factor - in other words, three flies that just beg to fished.
Anyway, here's the flies. I hope you all enjoy viewing them and enjoy voting.. use those votes wisely
Many thanks to all who entered, and good luck!
The Wet Fly - Flies & Voting - Round 1
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