Hi,

I wanted to let people know about a new group in the North of England and some of the events we are planning.

We organise monthly events fishing on rivers over the North of England. There are about 10 of us involved (with usually about 5 at each event) and we've been running events for about the past year. Now we want to get a few more people involved so we can get 10 or 12 at each event.

The events are competitive in nature, but a bit different to existing formal river competitions. We are able to fish all day because we dispense with controllers. We've also streamlined the rules and organisation to avoid problems some people might have experienced in the past. We are also as much about using a competitive format to collect information on fish popluations for monitoring. Most importantly we try hard to make it fun and friendly. We want to get people involved who might not have thought of trying competitons before. We want to get more people involved in this aspect of angling, especially relative novices, and introduce people to its benefits.

We are also developing other activities. We are organising a masterclass with Simon Robinson that is the subject of a separate thread. We are also planning a masterclass in the Czech Republic this October.

Details are below, but if you've any questions please ask.


Who are we?
We are a group of keen anglers who came together fishing the river qualifier for the Northern Region. We all enjoyed fishing competitively as it helped us improve our fishing, was fun, a way to fish new waters and meet other keen river flyfishers. However, whilst there are many Stillwater competitions there was virtually nothing on rivers. As a result we got together to organize our own events.

Why sport angling?
Some people like to fly fish for relaxation, but for most of us there is always an element of competition. Most of us want to catch more fish; and we want to catch more than other anglers. As such we are fishing for sport. Most keen anglers are sport anglers who are competitive in their fishing. Fishing for sport also provides a way to be more successful anglers. We can see how others do in similar conditions and learn from that. We can also meet other keen anglers and learn together. It doesn’t mean you have to be an expert, but the sport angler is keen to learn, improve and catch more fish.

What are we about?
Our main activity is running monthly events fishing northern rivers on the last Sunday of every month. We’ve been doing this for about a year and are now looking to get more people involved. At present we usually have about 5 people at each event and we’d like to expand that to 10 or 12.

We call these events tests; as they are a test of the river and our fishing. They comprise two 3 hour sessions fished to a set of simple and straightforward rules that restrict fishing method as little as possible but ensure things are fair and results are comparable. We record all fish caught on digital cameras to ensure accurate reporting of catches and so as to have a record for long term scientific monitoring of fish populations. Other than that we try to keep things informal and there is no need for people to act as controllers as there is in competitions. We meet at lunch and afterwards to discuss the fishing.

Join us
If you want to join there is no fee to join or for most events. Just let us know and we’ll add you to the mailing list for future events. Or call for a chat. You don’t have to be an expert we’re keen to get everyone involved as we see this as a way to pass on skills and encourage people to fish rivers.

Upcoming events

April 24th Derwent at Shotley Bridge
May 29th Wharfe at Bolton Abbey
June 26th Swale at Reeth
July 31st River Tees (Raby Estate)

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'

wish i had a car would love to get involved with this, love river fishing probably a youngun compared to you's but love competition fishing against mates always thought about giving a proper friendly comp a go, we normally do wagers, first/biggest/most fish, and iv never lost either my mates are rubbish or im good, i like to think im just good

You can count me in on the 24th April. Ill probably be fishing there anyway so might as well give it a go.
Ozzy37 if you give us a rough location of where you are somebody may be near you that wouldnt mind giving a lift. Just a thought.
Daryn

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

Hi Ozzy,

I used to be in a similar situation to you where I was always catching more than other anglers by a long chalk. That is what started me with competition angling as I wondered just how good I was. And also what I was doing wrong on those days I struggled and how could I be even better. It wasn't so easy fishing against the likes of John Tyzack & Simon Robinson. However, I've learnt a lot and improved my fishing. I've even managed to make the England team once. It's certainly been well worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone who is serious about catching fish and understanding fish and rivers. That's the point of the Northern Sport Flyfishers really.

Like Daryn says don't let not having a car put you off! We have members scattered around and might be able to pick you up. We often give people lifts. We even have one member who travels to our tests on public transport and stays at B&B's. You don't have to come to all the tests but perhaps we'll have one in your area. Where are you based?

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'

yeah mate iv always seemed to have a nack to it and trying to think the most like the trout and changing tactics to suit while others seem to be abit stubborn to change tactics. hence why i always come away getting a free days fishing out of it just wish i had more friends more serious about fly fishing, everyone just wants to go out and get p i ssed at my age and all i want to do is wake up at 5am and go fishing! i should place an ad in lonely hearts, fishing partner wanted haha
oh im based in newcastle mate...

Well seeing as i would be driving through newcastle to get to shotley bridge it would be rude not to offer a lift. Just let me know closer to the date so i remember.

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

I can endorse everything Roberts says. I am one of the original members of the group. The monthly competitions are well run and organised by Robert. Thay are a friendly and sociable affair, everybody meeting up at lunch and the end of the day to discuss catches/tactics etc. This is an ideal opportunity for anybody wanting to join a group of experienced and friendly flyfishers and also possibly learn a thing or two. The current members of the group are spread throughout the North of England and will usually car share of pick up those who do not have transport. Please feel free to contact me to have a chat about the group or contact Robert.
Hoping to see a few new faces at this years competitions.
Gary.

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Offering a 1st class fly fishing guiding service in and around West Yorkshire.
A high quality fly tying service.
French Leaders.
Hi-vis Braided Indicators.

id definitely like to give derwent a go if i dont have work on around then. and cheers for the offer of lifts. was walking along the river there last year with a friend and the amount of rises going on was mental! seen someone pull out a monster brownie of about 2lb lucky git. im keeping an eye out for cheap smaller outfits for rivers atm because my last one got nicked while i was camping so if i can get a good light outfit before then il be bang up for it!

Hi Ozzy,

We do have a couple of regular members in Newcastle, so lifts shouldn't be a problem as gary mentions. Just let us know nearer the time and we'll see what we can arrange.

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'

I just wanted to let people know about our latest event. Everyone is welcome to attend, but I need to know in advance if anyone is coming along.

Details are below:


Briefing document for 10th Flyfishing Test

Location: River Derwent, Shotley Bridge

Date: 24th April 2011

Organiser:

Robert Brown
Mobile 07905 727297
Email. rgb@jangala.co.uk

Note that I have mobile broadband so can be contacted most of the time by email. However you can also send messages to the mobile number or call.

Participants:

To be decided

Arrangements:

We will meet in the car park of the Crown & Cross Swords Pub in Shotley Bridge. This is just by the bridge over the Derwent. We will also meet there for lunch, returns and results.

Registration will be at 08:15 – 08:30.

Draw and briefing will be at 08:30 – 08:45

Departure and travel to beat 08:45 – 09:30

Lunch 12:30 – 14:30

Returns and results 17:30 – 19:30

The water we will fish is on the Derwent Angling Association water. Day tickets are £6 and available from:

Post Office, Shotley Bridge.

Allensford Caravan Park

I will purchase tickets on Saturday for those who need them for the test, once they let me know in advance.

Rules

We will fish according to the attached rules as well as the following local rule modifications:

The eligible fish species will be trout.

Only fish of 20cm or more will be eligible.

We will fish 2 sessions as follows:

09:30 - 12:30; 14:30 – 17:30.

Anglers can use cars to move from place to place (given the large size of this water)

Beat details and provisional starting pegs are as follows:

Beat maps are available on line at the website of the Derwent Angling Association at

More maps « Derwent Angling Association

There are 10 aerial maps covering the river from the top (aerial 1) to the bottom (aerial 10) of the DAA waters. Directions below refer to specific aerial maps.

The limits are marked on the map. Note that some of the fishing is single bank and some areas are private.

Upper Limit: Derwent Bridge. Aerial 1.

Lower limit: Lintzford bridge – Aerial 10.

Peg 1 Eddys Bridge- Aerial 1. Parking at bridge next to chicken farm. River immediately adjacent.

Peg 2. Derwent Gorge- Aerial 2, labelled ‘footbridge’. Parking in very small layby just next to the public footpath sign- there is a sign saying welcome to Derwent Gorge Muggleswick nature reserve but this isn't easy to see- Access is down footpath about 100m.

Peg 3. Allensford Bridge (A68) Roadbridge- Aerial 3. Park in car park in country park SE of road bridge. Access is across the field from car park.

Peg 4. Opposite caravan park at Allensford- Aerial 3. Park at caravan park (large carpark on left as you turn in to the park). Cross river and start opposite caravan park.

Peg 5 Shotley Bridge Weir- Aerial 4. Parking by footbridge at end of Shotley Grove Road. Along river adjacent to parking.

Peg 6 Footbridge in middle of Aerial 5.

Peg 7 Shotley bridge cricket club- Aerial 6. Park down steep bank at the cricket club. Cross river and fish north bank only downstream.

Peg 8- Eastlaw- Aerial 6. Park in Eastlaw on steep bank next to red post box. Walk along A694 towards Shotley Bridge and take the first path on the right through the woods; cross river and fish from North side (No fishing on right bank).

Peg 9- Ebchester weir- Aerial 7. Parking is on the green next to the river. Access is down the steep bank to the river.

Peg 10 – Ebchester footbridge - on top of aerial 7. Parking is on green next to the river. Access is along the green and down the lane marked as a dead end next to a little cottage.
Peg 11- Blackhall Mill Roadbridge- Aerial 9. Parking is on land adjacent to the bridge. The river is immediately adjacent.

Peg 12- Lintzford Bridge- Aerial 10. Park in layby next to Garden centre. Access is across the road and over stile.

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'If you're doing things the way you've always done them then you're probably doing them wrong'