Darren
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Woodford Troutmasters Fish OffWOODFORD FLY FISHERY 2007 TROUTMASTERS FISH-OFF 9th Feb 2008
The Troutmasters fish off at Woodford Fly Fishery got to a great start with 15 Troutmasters badge winners turning out on what was to be the best day for fishing this year, all hoping to make it to the Grand Final to take place on Grafham in Cambridgeshire on 19th May. The lake had been fishing well all week with the fish feeding in the top 4 feet of water.
This year’s fish off was to be fished to an eight fish bag limit, killing the 1st fish then catch and releasing a further 7 fish, allowing a 2lb bonus for each fish released and a time bonus of 8 ounces for every half hour left after bagging up. As there were only 15 taking part it was decided that the lake would not be pegged, allowing the competitors to move freely around the lake, but they could not select there fishing spot before the start.
Everyone was ready for the 10am start and the mad dash to try and get into the top spots, once all the anglers had settled into a fishing stand the competition could start. Within seconds of the start the 1st fish was being netted, falling for an orange blob fished on a floating line by Belfast man Sam Benson.
All but 2 of the competitors caught their 1st fish within the hour but Woodford regular Geordie Hall went one better, catching his 8 fish in just 65 minutes, earning Geordie a 3lb 8oz time bonus, all his fish where caught on goldie coloured lures fished on an intermediate fly line.
As the morning progressed the fishing just got better and next to bag up was Campbell Baird a previous 2 times Troutmasters Champion, catching his 8th fish just on the 2hour mark, earning him a 3lb bonus, with most of his fish falling for black and green lures again fished on an intermediate line.
Both Andrew Millen, from Dollingstown and Woodford regular Harry Dunn bagged up within the 3 hour mark, with both anglers using a mixture of lures and nymphs again fished on the intermediate line. Ladies Irish International Captain, Julie Gerry was not to be out done by the men, bagging up in just over the 3hour mark earning her a 1lb8oz time bonus, again all Julies fish fell to lures and nymphs fished on an intermediate.
Two of Woodfords competition regulars, Jim Fleming and Tony Denyer where next to bag up closely followed by Ray McKeeman another competition regular. The last bag up was to be the pleasure of the angler who caught the 1st fish, Sam Benson.
Unluckiest angler of the day was local man Harry Moffett, catching his 7 fish within the last 20 minutes, just to be caught out by the final whistle.
At the weigh in 96 fish had been caught and nine of the 15 competitors had caught their 8 fish bag limit and none of the anglers blanked. This gave the competitors an impressive rod average of 6.4 fish.
A minimal 3 ounces separated the top 2, but Belfast man Geordie Hall had done it, taking 1st place after his brilliant 65minute bag up.
1st Geordie Hall, 8 fish 19lb 14oz
2nd Campbell Baird, 8 fish 19lb 11oz
3rd Harry Dunn, 8 fish 18lb 14oz
4th Andrew Millen, 8 fish 17lb 6oz
5th Julie Gerry, 8 fish 17lb
6th Jim Fleming, 8 fish 16lb 15oz
7th Tony Denyer, 8 fish 16lb 10oz
8th Sam Benson, 8 fish 16lb
8th Ray McKeeman, 8 fish 16lb
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fossil-fish
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Great report Darren and well done to all who took part. I had an invite but was not able to attend. It would have been nice to see how such experts approached,what is after all, my local.
Well done to Geordie and I hope he does well in the final. Good luck to him.
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FIREY BROWN
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Woodford Trout MastersDarren
again another super report from Woodford,,it seems the weather is playing a big part with it being rather mild for February making the fishing a tad more comfortable than the previous weeks we`ve had,,no more Storms hopefuly,,
congratulations to the winner Geordie Hall and very well done to all of the Troutmasters Badge winners who were in the fish off
Regards
FIREY BROWN
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