Cash prizes

[Frank Muscente]

Having never competed in a fly fishing tournament I was wondering what are the cash prizes for a competition like the NE and nationals etc...?

[Alain Barthelemy]

Frank,

There are no cash prizes, this is not Bassmasters.  The prize is a chance to stand with your team with an American flag and the Star-Spangled Banner playing.  The prize is not just a podium either, it a chance to walk in the parade, meet great people, put forth good conservation ethics and have some fun.

Alain

[Dejon Hamann]

Thank god there's no parade and anthem playing at the regional.  Because I'd have to sing it!  And all though I have a pretty darn good voice I just can't ever remember all the words.

Alains on the money though... or off it... there are no cash prizes awarded under the fips-mouche ideal... the standard by which we base many of these competitions.  It's more aligned with the olympics.  Medals, honor, and pride are at stake. Honestly, it's one of the reasons I personally love the sport.

This is the norm under most of the sanctioned competitive fly fishing competitions in North America... but not a mandate.  Money can certainly play a role and has in certain competitions such as the Rumble for example.  I see more prizes being awarded at future competitions and encourage each venue to take on it's on flavor.

[Anita Coulton]

I don't know guys.....KVD just won a boatload of cash taking the Bassmasters title...(Again!).  Given my financial situation, and the looking at the boat in my driveway, I may need to re-focus my energies elsewhere.....

Nah, just kidding. 

[Bob Lux]

I used to fish bass tournaments pretty hardcore and yes it was fun winning money. The only problem was that it cost so much to be a tournament fisherman between truck payments, boat payments, 15+ high dollar rods, lures, hotel stays and gas that it started to not be fun. I personally got the the point where you had to come home with money because of the amount spent that the hobby really left and it became a job. Almost to the point where I started to hate going to fish because of the pressure to win win win! I never had sponsorship because I didn't feel I wanted to get to that level due to the amount of time spent on the road, I just fished regionally and did very well.

Not to say that winning a little money wouldn't be fun, but the sportsmanship definitely started to take a back seat. Friendships ended, marriages became strained, balancing work and fishing was becoming too stressful. People really show their true colors when money is involved. Just my two cents though.

[Dave Pehle]

Cash Prizes for fly fishing tournaments is a sticky subject.
 Look at the FF masters by John Barrett went off with great guns, but went by the wayside Why?
TV plays a big part of it, everyone likes to see the bass boats zooming from place to place but no one like to see a van with 15 guys get to the river and stay for 3 hrs in a 200yd beat. You can't make good TV with that. That's the only way to get big money, sponsors like to see themselves on the tube.
 When the economy went in the tank we at the America Cup tried a cash prize. We thought it would get more attention and droped it to 2 man teams changed the rules so more people would come, but it didn't come off as we had hoped we got the same # of teams minus 30 guys, But no European Anglers came.
  I agree with Bob When it comes down to winning money it changes everything.
Someday I would like to see if somone could pull it off you just never know.
Just my 15 cents

[Jeremiah Hamilton]

Here is my two cents
This is where we are so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to competitive fly fishing, for those that can understand french go look around the french fly fishing forums and you find alot of prize river comps. And the brits they have a whole loch style circuit, money can be a bad thing but it also can be a good thing too, it just helps push some guys that would not compete get in the sport and some of those guys might be better then us and help us move up in the worlds.

[Frank Muscente]

I totally understand the whole podium, star spangled banner, and parade thing. I just thought it would be nice to be counting some cash while you're marching!! It seams you guys pay for your'e travel, hotel expenses, entry fees, gear  etc... I just thought if some of the countries like France had prizes in their comps perhaps Jeremiah is onto something. Anyway, as long as it's fun and everyone is enjoying the outing it's all good. Best of luck to everyone !!

[Todd Oishi]

I've fished in quite a fair number of fly fishing competitions that offered money and prizes for top finishers  and the "largest fish". The atmosphere and level of comradery was not very different from competitions that only offered medals to the top finishers. The prizes and dollar amounts ranged from a "Lucky $10,000 Fish", the use of a Lexus Hybrid for a year, dream destination fishing trips, Sage fly rods, Kayaks, Pontoon boats, Waders, etc...

The prizes make it a lot more interesting, but really didn't seem to affect the mood of the competitors nor their attitude towards each other. With that being said; I think that there tends to be a lot more reservations on sharing information between the competitors. This in my mind doesn't bode well for the development of our sport, as the top rods aren't quite so willing to give away the strategies and tactics that helped to put them near the top and in the winning circle.

Unlike some of the European and U.S. systems, as Canadians, winning a medal at our nationals or staying near the top of our ranking system offers absolutely no financial rewards, as each of us has to pay 100% of our costs when we are selected and competing as a member of our national teams at an international championship. Some of us have been very fortunate to have been picked up by sponsors and have the ability to fundraise by holding seminars, but it is a shame for the rest, as some of our best anglers simply can't afford the costs that are associated with competing internationally...

[Daniel Vuono]

I've always wondered how you guys do it, even domestically.  Travel money, and time off work.  I just relate it to my life and it would be impossible!  Glad you guys do it though keeps things interesting.

[Todd Oishi]

Daniel, it is quite a challenge at times. I am fortunate, as I own my own company, which gives me the luxury of taking a lot of time off work so I can pursue this madness. I also do a fair amount of seminars and presentations on Advanced Stillwater Strategies and Czech Nymphing as fundraisers, which generally covers my entry fees, accommodations and such. My airfare is covered by my credit card company's rewards program (thank goodness for that!). And I have a wife with a heart of GOLD!

It's all about being creative and resourceful, and following your dreams...  

[Jason Doucette]

I pray one day for some monetary rewards for our hard work, it would sure help to go towards the next event.

[Paul Bourcq]

I love Fips oriented comps but......we do some big cash competitions down this way.  This year our 2011 Rumble in the Rhododendron will be paying out 10k dollars to the winners in cash and a ton of gear on top of that.  There is NO CASTING THIS YEAR.  So everyone can fish.  Its a two man team, two day multiple venue deal. 

I know some of you in the past did not want to come because of the casting qualifier.  But this year its all about fishing.  Stay tuned for more info.  Entry fee is probably 150 bucks give or take for the two man team.

The comp is the last week of October. Ill put more up later.

[Josh Graffam]

I am in!   Let us know when the details come out!

[Dejon Hamann]

That's really exciting news Paul!!!  Really hoping I can make it down with some of the boys.

I think it would be fun to take a shot at a big purse comp if it were all fishing with a fips slant.

[Dave Pehle]

Paul
That's great news I have a special partner wanting to come and fish.

[Paul Bourcq]

It is definately happening.  Ill have a registration website up after nationals.  I have alot of teams interested and will have to cap it.  Mark your calenders, you will be first to know.

[Jason Doucette]

What part of the world would this take place?

[Dejon Hamann]

Cherokee, North Carolina.

[Anita Coulton]

Wow, back to Cherokee......bummer!    Will not take much coaxing for me to head back down there.  Amazing fishery, for sure!

Thanks to all for putting this together.  Looking forward to getting details on this.

[Bob Lux]

I love Fips oriented comps but......we do some big cash competitions down this way.  This year our 2011 Rumble in the Rhododendron will be paying out 10k dollars to the winners in cash and a ton of gear on top of that.  There is NO CASTING THIS YEAR.  So everyone can fish.  Its a two man team, two day multiple venue deal. 

I know some of you in the past did not want to come because of the casting qualifier.  But this year its all about fishing.  Stay tuned for more info.  Entry fee is probably 150 bucks give or take for the two man team.

The comp is the last week of October. Ill put more up later.

Some of us didn't want to come because of the rut. Having in the last week of October will work for me this year. Will it be limited to official teams (like Team NC, Team Stonefly, etc) or will it be open to any two-man team?

[Paul Bourcq]

Any two man teams....

[Bill Strickland]

I'm all in for cash prizes! As said before, its hard for some of us to be able to travel and fish other tournaments out of our regions without the extra cash. Taking time off work as a non salaried employee makes it tough too. I know for myself, when there is a little cash involved I tend to be more motivated to win as I'm sure we all are. The Rumble is a good tournament and looking forward to the multi venue format. I am a big fan of the casting qualifiers so hopefully those do not tend to weed themselves out in the future. If you have never fished this tournament i reccommend you scramble up some cash and get out here. You will be impressed with the fisheries and the level of competition. 

On another note about the bassmasters..........same things were said about that organization when it first took off. It has stumbled in and out of the spotlight for years but ever since ESPN purchased BASS, it has turned into a multi million dollar industry. I work in a pretty large fly shop and over the years I have seen flyfishing becoming more and more popular even through some hard economic times of which is being fueled by a younger generation. Change is on the horizon and it will only take 1 or 2 big corporate sponsorships outside of the flyfishing industry to change the competitive aspect of the sport. Much like BASS!

[Dave Pehle]

It does cost big money to travel to comps not it your area as all of you know and it costs a lot to put these events on also. On the average for a European team to come to the US to compete in the TAC is more than $6,000. I was also told by a FIPS board member from Europe, that it costs a team somewhere around $10,000 to attend the Worlds. I do believe the time has come for $ purses for these Tournaments. There is a push going on now to start a professional FF league in Europe I have been asked if it would work here in the US, and have a big final tournament at the end of the year much like the Bassmasters. Thoughts on this matter is always welcome.
I have tried over the past 3 years to get some big corporate sponsors from non-flyfishing companies. The first year of the TAC was funded by donations from private indivduals who were intersted in seeing some of the best flyfisherman in the world, this was a one time deal to get it going. Most non FF Co. reply with why don't you have any FF Co. that sponsor you or we sponsor other events such as NASCAR ,Triathlons these Co. like big Television events. Last year we did get sponsorship from Fishpond, wader bags for the 1st place team, Hardy for Pro-forms. Habervision for sunglasses and Rods from Team Caddis. Fishpond is from Colorado as is Habervision and Rob Kolanda is the rep from Hardy and Dzifa from team caddis are also from Colorado. I am not trying to bash the the big FF Co's but it is time they get on board and see the value of our sport to the industry.  I have been in the FF business for over 25yrs and love the sport. As I said before TV makes money that's the first step to get money tournament off the board.
Again another 10 cents

[Rich Reedinger]

I have competed in fishing tournaments where money or large dollar prizes (cars, boats and equipment) were awarded to the top finishers. My two cents, for whatever it is worth these days, is cash prizes bring out the worst in the competitors. I know from firsthand and saw with my own two eyes type experiences, the amount of cheating that goes on among the greedy,"win at any cost" competitors. It absolutely ruins the fun for most rules abiding of us and makes you feel dirty to the point of leaving it all behind and never going at it again. Yes, it does cost money to travel and compete in many of the venues, but that is what following your sportsmen heart is about. It is not for everyone. Money will not push the best anglers to the top. I believe it opens the door to the blackhearted, mediocre skilled criminal element of fishermen to show up and find a way to win by clever and long thought out methods that go against the grain and spirit of the rules. The day money is awarded in FIPS-Mouche events will be the last day I will ever be involved in the sport again.