hi all am relatively new to the forum so am taking the opportunity to introduce myself and ask how i get involved in competitions? i am new to fly fishing,only been doing it since just before xmas 08 and cant beleive how addictive it is!! so any advice will be much appreciated thanks in advance

ness xx

Hello Ness.
A warm wellcome. You may want to consider joining your local fly fishing club. It might not be local to you but if you want to compete it will be worth the travel.
From there you will get involved in other clubs and comps then you can make up your mind which one suits your ability/outlook. Some are better than others. Just remember the ones with a real mix of old/veryold and young anglers are usually much more of a laugh as one can get too intense about it all.

__________________
GAIA: APGAI & GAIC, Single Handed. Qualified Mentor & Trainee Assessor
FFF MCI - Master Casting instructor
ADB Level 1 & Level 2 Coach (Game) http://www.flyfishlondon.co.uk/

From what I've seen, you'll have to learn the competition lingo if you're going to fit in. I don't know all the phrases and sayings myself, but I've heard a few along the way, such as:

"I bagged up by 11" This seems to be a statement of one's angling prowess although I have no idea what it translates to in layman's terms.

"Soldier Palmer" This is a very popular catching fly as I've heard it mentioned many times when anglers with a bag full of fish are asked by others what they were catching on.

"The washing line" This one's got me.

There are many other such terms in the competition angler's glossary, but perhaps those in that scene could provide a comprehensive list.

You will also need to have the correct gear to fit in, and from what I've seen all of this has to carry the latest designer brand names and from what I've observed should include the following items:

1) A great big plastic box with a lid on and a carrying strap. I've seen a few of these lying open and the top tray should have, I think, around 20 different fly lines on spare spools and several fly reels.
2) A fancy boat seat in its own holdall
3) A waistcoat with lots and lots of coloured badges and festooned with an array of tools (I'm not sure if you buy the badges or earn them like being in the scouts)
4) Matching two-tone jacket and trousers with pockets absolutely everywhere and a matching baseball cap
5) The fastest action fly rod available
6) The most expensive fluorocarbon available

There must be many more items required which others might provide information on.

I hope this helps but I'm no expert.

thank u granty i have just been looking into clubs near myself and will action these as soon as i finish getting lots more info off this giant whirlpool of knowledge!!

gravelbed very good reply also a washing line is when you have a few light flies on a dropper and and a floater(booby) on the end so the flies present under water as though on a washing line and the booby holds them all up!!(i think!!!)

it does seem i have surrounded myself with like minded ppl and have learnt alot all to the detrement of my daughter!! who although only 6 is almost at the stage of casting better than i can!!! how quick these kids pick things up is beyond me,took me over 2 weeks to perfect the art of getting a line out!!!
once again thanks

nessxx

Some of the better clubs will hold family comp days. So go on and enjoy every aspect that this great sport has to offer.

__________________
GAIA: APGAI & GAIC, Single Handed. Qualified Mentor & Trainee Assessor
FFF MCI - Master Casting instructor
ADB Level 1 & Level 2 Coach (Game) http://www.flyfishlondon.co.uk/

My advice for what its worth is to fish in local comps to start off with,This will build up knowledge and experience and help in some of the bigger ones.Nothing stops you entering the bigger ones,but it does start to cost alot of money aswell.
the main thing is not to get all worked up and just enjoy the day and it will open up alot of things for you.You will meet alot of people who will help you and the banter is great.
Do you need tons of gear, I would say not.Its having confidence in what you have and as long as you have certain things all this fancy gear and expensive this and that is rubbish.Some things you do need to spend a little bit more than usual on, like lines, but leader £6.99 and fish with total confidence.
You fish to your strengths and be an individual,enjoy it and relax.
Competitions should be fun not matchstick head jobs.

__________________
Kevin

if you change your details -mate show where you are based then some body here will give some pointers
get some local advice from your local fishery owners they are the est source of knowledge....they are there to make you look good
as for competitions I'd think about that awhile...unless it's a friendly open day at your local put-and-take it will involve you being in a boat with a dude who will almost certainly be taking it a lot more seriously than you and you and your reputation may not stand up to it too well .....as nice a bloke as I am sure you are!

__________________
an interesting mix of apathy and panic

Clive M

foosandtrout.........just for future reference i am female!!!
thank you all for your input,i have been on a boat afew times at pitsford and grafham, i mainly fish at rib valley nr ware and am thinking bout joining their fly fishing club when they open up for trout fishing again mid sept,if anyone has opinions about where the best places to fish near beds it would be much appreciated also, anyone else form anywhere near here as i wouldnt mind trying to find a fishing buddy(if such thing exsists!!!) I feel i am doing quite well and all fishermen and the occasional lady i have come across have been more than helpful,my personal best was an 8lb trout from rib valley and feel i have alot of hard work ahead of me to beat this,but true to its form fly fishing is such a relaxing and enjoyable sport that im sure i will enjoy for many many years to come as will all of us. thank u all so much

nessxx