Author Topic: Competition Practice (Read 1460 times)

Mark Hanes · « **on:** July 31, 2009, 09:47:45 AM »

So I have been throwing around the idea in my head that I want to get in doing a competition or two next year. It got me thinking that we should start a club or somehting to that nature that does competitive style outings for practice. I know we could get a handfull of us to get involved and it would really help bread new ideas and such. It is just a thought.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2009, 10:10:20 PM »

Oh come on - you know I'm down!!! Let's let it roll and see what kind of response we get. Maybe put the feeler out to some other communities too.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:55:30 AM »

Yeah we might have to i really think there is enougth interest in the NE with competition fly fishing to maybe get something going. with nationals being in State College this year i thought it would be a good time to start.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2009, 12:12:33 PM »

You know, I was actually surprised at how few people were interested in Comp. fishing the last time I tried to organize an event like this. Mind you I was trying to do a mock comp. which is quite a bit bigger than a practice. We got a few takers, but no where near the number I thought we'd get. I think people like to talk about it more than do it:) Such is life, eh?

All we need are are a few interested parties to get this rolling. We could coordinate it around one of my practices to State College.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:13:06 PM »

Yeah i mean all we need are 4 to 8 guys and just take turns being each other controlers. If nothing else it could be a way to get a few different views on how to approach the water.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2009, 03:19:42 PM »

Definitely. We could trade turns doing some mock comp runs. Maybe 30 min sessions to keep it light the first time out. Give the guys who haven't experienced that sort of pressure a taste for the game. The best part of doing a practice like this is just trading ideas and getting to see close up how other guys are attacking the same water. What their flies look like, how fast they tie knots, what leaders they use, how they approach and navigate a stream, if they wear knee pads, what rods they choose, and on, and on, and on. Sometimes the greatest thing about being able to practice with other comp. level anglers is just being able to see and say:" hey, I'm not that far off!" Then other times it's: "holy shit, I've got some work to do!!!!" Both equally motivational.

We could even setup some exercises and demonstrations. I think it would be beneficial to have an exercise where say 4 anglers fish the same stretch of river while the other 3 watch and can discuss what's going on. Have say a 50-100 yrd section of river that you're forced to fish through once in 30 minutes. Starting at the bottom marker and ending at the top marker. That way it would be 40 minutes rested for the next angler (+10min break). Of course, we would draw turns at random and each progressive angler would get more points per fish (due to the pressured water). The last angler could possibly win with just 1 fish. Whatever. Just for fun and skill building.

All right since I'm thinking about it let me take a stab:

TroutLegend Competition Practice #1 (8 anglers)

8am - 10am: Meet, Greet, & Coffee
10am - Noon: Mock Comp. (4beats, 2angler per, 1hour each)
Noon - 2pm: Lunch, Trade Secrets, Open Fly Boxes
2pm - 5pm: 3/1 30min Beats (2beats, 4angler per, 30min each)
5pm - ?: Open Fishing, Bullshitting, Beer, etc.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2009, 03:39:45 PM »

Bullshiting and beer! Nice! i think the idea would work and ill admit i would probably get my ass whopped since i really have never fished in any competitive style. we would all learn and it may even be something we could get some current Comp anglers on board to do.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2009, 04:18:21 PM »

Getting your ass whooped is the surest way I know to quickly increasing your learning curve:) One of the most humbling and educational experiences I had was coming in last in a Utah REgional!

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2009, 04:32:06 PM »

Well the idea is out there you got any ideas on other forums that we could post to get more interest? I am not sure if there is a way of contacting other competitive anglers.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2009, 06:19:58 PM »

I would be happy to be a part of this, but I guarantee you're not going to get many, if any of the guys currently on the circuit. They are just too busy, strapped for cash, live to far away to make it worthwhile, and honestly usually get paid to do this kind of thing anywaze... myself included:) I think the niche we should tap are the anglers like yourself: talented fisherman who want to learn more about this comp. thing and/or just learn some new techniques/tips.

At least to begin. If it's a big success maybe we'll draw some more of the experienced comp. anglers into the mix. Or maybe we'll just grow our own:)

I think we should finalize the format - maybe some possible dates. And then you guys could circulate it on other forums?

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:02:28 PM »

i don't even know where to start I am actually just in the brain storming stage now.

Eugene Shuler · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:58:27 PM »

Dejon,
The way I started the NC Fly Fishing Team was much the same way. We started small with a few freinds that I had competed with, and knew who wanted to compete. And we just grew from there.
Its taken three years and lots of growing pains but we are finally starting to see the results.

Kevin LaFleur · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2009, 11:05:31 PM »

I would be interested but going to PA is way out of my budget. Now the catt, wiscoy, oatka or maybe the genny I could do

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:14:45 AM »

I am cool with making a trip north but as far as connections up there I have none. If more of you guys are willing to fish your home waters I would be willing to travel north. The only trade off is next time its on my turf LOL!

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2009, 10:52:22 AM »

If we want to make it one of the toughest practices ever than the Wiscoy is a suitable stream Probably not a good idea for the first time out though:)

Other than that the only other really suitable comp. style river is the Catt below Arcade. The Genny might be a good candidate though.

Honestly, if 1 to 3 guys commute from this area down to PA it doesn't cost much more than driving around fishing the Catt, Oatka, and Wiscoy in our area for 1 day. Outside of the License of course.

I think West Canada might be a good spot. Low pressure. Lots of fish. Bigger comp. style river. Central New York.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2009, 11:00:49 AM »

I think I know quite a few good places in NC/NW PA some of them are only 40 to 50 miles south of Salamanca. Like i said if I am the only one from PA i will drive up if that is the case. Might have to make a few days of it.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2009, 11:35:25 AM »

Let's see where the constituents live and plan the party around that:)

In the meantime, see if you guys can stir up a bit of support on the other forums you visit. Post a description and link to this thread or something.

I'm thinking an overnighter is in order depending on distance. Organizing it around a streamside campground might be the best thing! Maybe the one on Penns, Juniata, or WestCanada.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2009, 01:09:44 PM »

So what do you think we should call this? Mid Atlantic Competitive Fly Fishers? Or North East?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2009, 01:42:33 PM »

FACFF Friends of American Competitive Fly Fishing .
ACFF American Competitive Fly Fishers .
TCFFA TroutLegend Competitive Fly Fishing Association .
RTEGCS Rednecks Touting Expensive Gear Catching Small Fish .
STSAAWNM Super Transglobal Secret Association of Anglers Who Never Meet .

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2009, 01:45:39 PM »

i like the last two.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:02:38 PM »

Quote from: T.E.Shuler on August 03, 2009, 10:58:27 PM

Dejon,
The way I started the NC Fly Fishing Team was much the same way. We started small with a few freinds that I had competed with, and knew who wanted to compete. And we just grew from there.
Its taken three years and lots of growing pains but we are finally starting to see the results.

Thanx for the encouragement T! I really admire what you've done down there in North Carolina. And I promise I'll be down for the rumble one year - regionals and nationals just had me strapped this year. I really think with support from a few motivated individuals we could start to build something similar to what you've done up here. PA & NY alone, let alone this entire region is primed for some competitive action.

Chris Michels · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2009, 09:25:22 PM »

Depending on what is decided on place, time, etc.... I may join up.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2009, 10:59:35 PM »

It would be an ongoing thing at different locations. That would be the ideal.

Chris Michels · « **Reply #23 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:54:39 AM »

Depending on how far they are from me, I'd do a few.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #24 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:30:19 AM »

if you have any suggestions for possible places let me know. I will keep you in the loop on what is going on. Just help spread the word about it for now it is still in the infant stages.

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