B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Championship

[Todd Oishi]

Due to a recent cancellation, there is now one spot open for five anglers who might be interested in forming and entering a five-member team for this competition...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=153792771317167


1st Annual B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Championship
Dates: June 16, 17 & 18, 2011


Fly fishers from all across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom are invited to attend this international loch-style competition. Members of the Canadian and U.S. national fly fishing teams will also be on hand and will be competing for the team and individual medals.

Venue: The Trojan Pond, near the town of Logan Lake, British Columbia
Loch-style fly fishing competition
FIPS-MOUCHE rules apply
Eligible species: Rainbow Trout
Minimum length: 25cm
Maximum number of competitors: 40 anglers (8 five-man teams)
Competitors can register as teams or will be assigned to a team if they chose to register as an individual (registration is based on a first come - first served basis)
Entry fees: $200.00 per angler
Awards for top three teams and individuals

Schedule of Events:

Thursday June 16: Official Meet & Greet: 7:00pm
(Meal & drink tickets available at Black Bull Pub for $10.00)

Friday June 17:
Trojan Pond’s Gates Open 7:00am
Competitor’s Meeting 8:00am - 8:15am
Official practice 8:30am - 11:00pm

Lunch Break (meal included in entry fees) 11:00pm - 12:30pm

Session 1 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Session 2 3:30pm - 5:30pm


Saturday June 18:
Trojan’s Gates Open 7:00am
Breakfast (meal included in entry fees) 7:30am - 8:30am
Competitor’s Meeting 8:30am - 8:45am

Session 3 9:00am - 11:00am

Lunch Break (meal included in entry fees) 11:00pm - 12:30pm

Session 4 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Session 5 3:30pm - 5:30pm

Awards Ceremonies & Banquet: 7:30pm
(Meal tickets available at Black Bull Pub for $20.00)


Entry fee includes angling permits and the use of the competition boats and waters for both days, along with a hardy breakfast and buffet-style lunch that will be served on Saturday, June 18th courtesy of Highland Valley Copper.

Proceeds from this fundraising event will be donated to B.C. Children's Hospital.

For information on registration or sponsorship please contact Todd Oishi:
toishis@uniserve.com

Proudly sponsored by:
Highland Valley Copper
Islander Reels
Bare Waders
Moby Net

[Todd Oishi]

Official List of Team and Individual Names:

Team Cormorant:
Todd Oishi - Captain
Rob Stroud
Terence Courtoreille
Pete Erickson
Scott Robertson

Team Airflo:
Randy Taylor - Captain
Donald Thom
John Beaven
Mark Andersen
?

Team Mustang:
Wayne Yoshizawa - Captain
Randy Paskall
Randy Patton
Aaron Laing
Norm Godding

Team Merganser:
Graham Murfitt - Captain
Clint Goyette
Sunny Van Der Kloof
Chris Puchniak
Trevor Welton

Team Motley Crew:
Gord Bacon - Captain
Peter Huyghebaert
Morgan Thorpe
Philip Short
John Wilkinson

The Flytastic Five:
Jason Doucette - Captain
Travis Cragg
Robert Puff
Clayton Hobbs
?

Team MRFD:
Paul Davidson - Captain
Rod Ramsey
Devan Ramsey
Gary Hands
?

Team Tightlines:
Rob Viala - Captain
Peter Morrison
Claude Cipelletti
Deb Christensen
?

There are still a few openings on some of the teams for individual competitors that are interested in attending this event (no previous experience necessary). Contact Todd Oishi at: toishis@uniserve.com

[Todd Oishi]

The Final Completed List of the 8 Teams and 40 Individuals for the 2011 B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Chamionships:

Team Cormorant:
Todd Oishi - Captain
Rob Stroud
Terence Courtoreille
Pete Erickson
Scott Robertson

Team Airflo:
Randy Taylor - Captain
Donald Thom
John Beaven
Mark Andersen
David Nonomura

Team Mustang:
Wayne Yoshizawa - Captain
Randy Paskall
Randy Patton
Aaron Laing
Norm Godding

Team Merganser:
Graham Murfitt - Captain
Clint Goyette
Sunny Van Der Kloof
Chris Puchniak
Trevor Welton

Team Motley Crew:
Gord Bacon - Captain
Peter Huyghebaert
Morgan Thorpe
Philip Short
John Wilkinson

The Flytastic Five:
Jason Doucette - Captain
Travis Cragg
Robert Puff
Ian Gazeley
Brett Johnson

Team Tight Lines:
Rob Viala - Captain
Peter Morrison
Claude Cipelletti
Deb Paskall
David Heine

Team MRFD (Firefighters):
Paul Davidson - Captain
Rod Ramsey
Devan Ramsey
Marc Bilan
Tim Bernardo

I hope to see a team assembled from your part of the Country at next year's competition!

Cheers,
Todd

[Dejon Hamann]

Great job all around Todd... especially on that can-am powerhouse team! 

[Todd Oishi]

Thanks Dejon! It's going to be a great event, but more importantly, it will provide an excellent venue for improving our loch-style fishing techniques and strategies. Keep in mind that this is an annual event, so perhaps you or the members of this board will be able to attend some of the future competitions...

The joint US/Canadian team concept will allow both our teams a rare chance to fish as team mates under a competition setting and to openly share information that we've gained as a result of our collective international experiences.

There should be a LOT of fish caught during the practice session on morning of the first day, but the angling pressure will make it very challenging once the competition begins and as it progresses.

I'll post the results after it's all said and done, as there is very poor internet access in the area where I'll be staying.

[Todd Oishi]

Updated beat/boat assignment to allow each competitor equal opportunity to fish in all the boats (to compensate for any inconsistencies in boat design) and a chance to fish with a different partner during all 5 sessions:

Official Competition Beat/Boat Rotation for all groups
(competitor numbers will be drawn at the Captains’ Meeting at the "Meet & Greet" on June 16th):

Session 1:
1 & 8 Boat 1
2 & 7 Boat 2
3 & 6 Boat 3
4 & 5 Boat 4

Session 2:
1 & 2 Boat 4
3 & 5 Boat 2
4 & 6 Boat 1
7 & 8 Boat 3

Session 3:
1 & 6 Boat 2
2 & 5 Boat 3
3 & 8 Boat 4
4 & 7 Boat 1

Session 4:
1 & 4 Boat 3
2 & 3 Boat 1
5 & 8 Boat 2
6 & 7 Boat 4

Session 5:
1 & 5 Boat 4
3 & 7 Boat 3
4 & 2 Boat 2
6 & 8 Boat 1

Summary of Beat/Boat Rotation:

Competitor 1: Day 1: 1 – 4. Day 2: 2 – 3 – 4.

Competitor 2: Day 1: 2 – 4. Day 2: 3 – 1 – 2.

Competitor 3: Day 1: 3 – 2. Day 2: 4 – 1 – 3.

Competitor 4: Day 1: 4 – 1. Day 2: 1 – 3 – 2.

Competitor 5: Day 1: 4 – 2. Day 2: 3 – 2 – 4.

Competitor 6: Day 1: 3 – 1. Day 2: 2 – 4 – 1.

Competitor 7: Day 1: 2 – 3. Day 2: 1 – 4 – 3.

Competitor 8: Day 1: 1 – 3. Day 2: 4 – 2 – 1.

[Todd Oishi]

Here's a link to the rules that will be used for the B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Championships:  http://www.flyfishingcanada.net/docs/FFCAnnualRules.pdf

The following items are the official amendments that have been made to this year's competition’s rules:

1. The use of three flies is permitted only for the official practice and 5 competition sessions on the Trojan Pond, as the province's "single fly only" angling regulation applies to all of the nearby, publicly-owned waters
2. 25cm has been set as the minimum length for the scoring of points
3. For measuring purposes; the length will be from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail (measuring troughs will be provided)
4. Each competition session comprises of two (2) hours of fishing
5. Fishing will be performed from freely drifting boats (loch-style) with anchoring, trailing and trolling being prohibited
6. The competition boats will not be equal in size, design, structure and power (speed limitations will be discussed during the Captains' Meeting)
7.After a coin-toss, each competitor has the right to be in command of the boat for an equal amount of time during each session (1 hour each)
8. The competitor in command of the boat will determine whether or not a drogue is to be used at that moment in time
9. When in use, the drogue must be attached to the starboard (right) side of the boat
10. Competitors are required to fish on the port (left) side of the boat and within their respective quadrants
11. Both competitors are permitted to man the oars, drogue and motor
12. It is the responsibility of each competitor to provide and wear their own eye protection and personal flotation device (life jacket)
13. Each participant is responsible for their own travel to and from all official events and during the practice and competition sessions
14. The competitor may remove the hook and must revive the fish and release it, taking care not to damage the fish
15. The boats may be launched fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the session, to compensate for boat and motor designs and to allow adequate time for positioning
16. No boat may approach within one hundred feet of another boat from which a competitor is fishing except for reasons of safety or of necessity

As well... here are the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions:

1. Drogues will be supplied for the official practice and competition sessions
2. All flies must be dressed on hooks that are either barbless, de-barbed, or have the barb squeezed down flat
3. A single visible bead, not more than 4 mm in its maximum dimension, is permitted
4. All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that they do not move or slide (loop knots are not permitted and considered illegal)
5. Neither sinking nor floating devices may be added to fly lines (bobbers, barrel-swivels, split-shot or other weights are not permitted)
6. Leaders may be knotted or knotless, and tapered or level, and must be continuous for its entire length (New Zealand-style droppers are not permitted)
7. Competitors may have spare fly rods with them, but they must not be assembled or have the reel attached
8. 48" is the maximum length for all competition nets
9. Netting of fish must be performed solely by the competitor
10. A competitor may stand only while netting a fish
11. While fishing, competitors must remain seated on the thwart boards, but may use a cushion with a maximum thickness of ten (10) centimeters (back rests are not permitted)
12. The use of hand-signals, written and verbal communication or radios and other electronic communication devices are not permitted during competition sessions
13. Only fish hooked in the mouth area, i.e. in front of the rear edge of the gill cover, will be eligible for the scoring of points
14. Competitors are awarded one hundred (100) points for an eligible fish (over 25cm) and will also receive twenty (20) points per centimeter of length of each eligible fish
15. The recorded length will be rounded up to the next complete centimeter for scoring purposes
16.  If a competitor wishes a fish to score, he must land it in a net and pass the fish in the net to their fellow competitor during the measurement and recording process
17.  If a fellow competitor or competition official determines that a competitor has negligently injured a fish, that fish will not be scored and the competitor will be penalized the number of points attributable to a fish of minimum valid length (600 points penalty)
18.  A fish hooked during a competition session is eligible if it is landed not more than five (5) minutes after the session ends
19. Each participant is responsible for checking the accuracy of their scorecard, ensuring that their fellow competitor has crossed out the unused part of the scorecard and confirming this by signing it at the end of each period
20. All scorecards must be handed to the sector judge immediately upon the boat's arrival to the shore (missing or late cards will be disqualified)
21. Each participant must wear a visible identification card or badge, supplied by the host, throughout every competition period and official functions
22.  Members of the teams and individual competitors that are awarded first, second and third positions will receive gold, silver and bronze medals respectively

[Dejon Hamann]

Todd, this will be a great resource when we have our loch competitions.

Was it tough to get a 3fly window for this competition? I think it's great that you were able to.

I thought you might have lifted the 48" net restriction based on some of our past conversations here.

It makes the most sense logistically, but I'm curious to see how having your boat mate measure fish works out.  In a session where only a handful of big fish are caught I could see it working nicely... however in many recent CA lake competitions catch rates in the 20s and 30s would begin to severely limit the "measure-e's" fishing time. 

Just some passing thoughts.. not critiques.  Wishing I could attend!

[Todd Oishi]

Thanks Dejon! I sincerely appreciate your input, as it's always nice to see things through someone else's eyes and for some additional insight.

The 3-fly dilemma was not really an issue for this event, as the competition waters are on privately owned and managed lands. There is no public funding for the fish stocking and research programs that are employed for this reservoir. Being that the competition waters is a man-made tailing pond/reservoir helped to seal the deal. Highland Valley Copper (the land owner and host) received the stamp of approval from the province's fisheries department and are using the data collected during the competition as a part of their land reclamation/fishery enhancement studies and research as well.

The size of the nets is an issue that I felt that we need to enforce, as a few extra inches can give a competitor a significant extra edge over others if they choose to push this rule. Besides; it only makes sense that all of the competitors should become more proficient with the tools that fit within the restrictions and boundaries of a competition that is following the FIPS ideals and rules.

The concept of having your boat partner measuring your catch (and vice-versa) has been used at our Canadian NFFC's for the past 8 years and has worked very well for us. The competitors simply keep the measuring trough in the middle of the boat (in plain view), so both competitors can measure their own fish while the other competitor observes, monitors and records the process - with minimal interference or interruption to their own angling.

There will likely be a LOT of fish (and I do mean a LOT) caught during the practice and 5 sessions of competition, so most competitors will likely choose to allow their fellow competitor to measure their catch while they observe and record, but they are fully aware of the fact that they are still very much responsible for filling out each others scorecards and providing an initial for each and every fish that is caught and verifying its length. It's sort of a hands-free process for the most part and eliminates the need for controllers and boats that can safely accommodate three people…

[Mark Hanes]

Nice work on this Todd.  I wish we had a venue like this in the NE where we could get a similar event together.  The fact that you don't need any controllers really makes this format great.  I cant wait to see some of the hogs that this group of anglers catches.  Now I am curious as to what a double with 5lbs boys would be like to land.

[Todd Oishi]

Wishing I could attend!

I sincerely hope you can as well Dejon. This will be an annual event, so please keep it in mind for future consideration. It would be great to see a team or at least a few individuals from this site at the next one!

This competition is designed to be as inexpensive as possible, so anyone can enjoy the opportunity to attend and newcomers can get a real taste of a loch-style competition. It's also imprtant to remember that beyond being a great venue, it's also a fund-raiser for B.C.'s Children Hospital (tax deductible receipts will be issued upon request).

[Todd Oishi]

I cant wait to see some of the hogs that this group of anglers catches.  Now I am curious as to what a double with 5lbs boys would be like to land.

Multiples are indeed a challenge, but in the end and if you can keep your composure, you're lucky if you can manage to land even just one of them. I've had a few triples in the past and find that it's best to focus on just one of the fish (usually the largest one) and then turn your focus on the next fish - rather than being greedy and potentially losing all of them.

I'm sure that you've already heard that old saying; "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush..."

[Dejon Hamann]

So many great comps so little time money!  If I ever win the lotto there will be 4 other very happy fly fisherman because I really live for these big team events.

We'll have to see if maybe we can scratch together a TL-coop all star team for next year.  Being a charity event might help with some fundraising too.  Besides the usual costs it's that grand for the flight that's gonna be the big hurdle. 

[Chris Puchniak]

Thanks for posting the rules and such Todd. Saves me calling you every few days! 

Certainly looking forward to the event as we are just a month and a bit out from it now.

[Todd Oishi]

 Update for June 1, 2011,

 Well the B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Championship is almost upon us (15 days and counting), and everything is shaping up rather nicely: the water levels in the Trojan Pond are higher than they've ever been before (more areas to fish); the unusually cool spring weather has delayed some of the hatches (should provide prolific hatches during the competition); the trout should be in prime condition and haven't seen a fly in months (the pond has been closed to the general public and to ALL competitors).

 I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the volunteers and competitors that have volunteered their time up to this point in time and to say a special thanks to those of you who have agreed to provide boats for the competition. An event of this magnitude simply wouldn't be possible without your support and cooperation!

 Unfortunately the area surrounding the town of Logan Lake doesn't have very good cell phone coverage, so if anyone needs to contact me just prior to or during the competition, you can visit me or leave a message with the staff at Tunkwa Lake Resort (1-250-523-9697), which is where I'll be staying from the 15th until the 18th of June (Cabin 3). 

 In order to wet your appetites... here are some statistics from the two previous fly fishing tournaments that were held on the Trojan Pond (single day, 6 hour competitions):

Year:                                 2009         -      2010
Number of competitors:           76          -         74
Number of fish caught:           488         -        331
Average size:                       40.5 cm    -       41.0 cm
Largest fish:                         54 cm      -        61 cm

* Keep in mind that these competitors were fishing with single flies from anchored boats rather than using traditional loch-style methods. I am quite confident that we'll see some pretty remarkable numbers being posted throughout the competition...

 Looking forward to seeing all of you very soon!!!

 Cheers,
 Todd

 

[Jeremiah Hamilton]

Graham just emailed us and our team "Mergansers" just got bronze!!!

[Todd Oishi]

I've just returned home from the 2011 B.C. Loch-Style Fly Fishing Championships and thought I'd post the results before crashing. A great time was had by all and the weather was ideal for loch-style fishing. The fishing was challenging, but fish were caught in every session.

I'm also very pleased to announce that this event helped to raise over $15,000.00 for B.C.'s Children's Hospital!


Individual Gold Medalist – Scott Robertson


Individual Bronze Medalist – Devin Ramsay


Individual Bronze Medalist – Mark Andersen



Team Gold Medalists – Team Cormorant
Terence Courtoreille, Pete Erickson, Todd Oishi (C), Robert Stroud and Scott Robertson



Team Silver Medalists – Team Equipe Airflo
Donald Thom, David Nonomura (C), John Beaven, Randy Taylor and Mark Andersen


Team Bronze Medalists – Team Merganser
Chris Puchniak, Sunny Van Der Kloof, Trevor Welton, Graham Murfitt (C) and Clint Goyette

Here are the official results from this year's competition...
 
Team Results:
(Name - placings / fish / points)
1 Cormorants - 80 / 60 / 50580 (Team Gold Medal)
2 Equipe Airflo - 94 / 48 / 40220 (Team Silver Medal)
3 Mansers - 118 / 35 / 27020 (Team Bronze Medal)
4 MRFD (Maple Ridge Fire Department) - 121 / 36 / 28420
5 Tight Lines - 126 / 30 / 24960
6 Mustang - 137 / 27 / 22700
7 Flytastic Five - 138 / 26 / 22040
8 Motley Crew - 140 / 30 / 24280

Individual Results:

1 Scott Robertson - Cormorant - 11 / 15 / 12480 (Individual Gold Medal)
2 Devin Ramsay - MRFD - 11 / 13 / 10140 (Individual Silver Medal)
3 Mark Andersen - Equipe Airflo - 13 / 14 / 12360 (Individual Bronze Medal)
4 Robert Stroud - Cormorant - 16 / 13 / 10620
5 Todd Oishi - Cormorant - 16 / 11 / 9700
6 Pete Erickson - Cormorant - 17 / 12 /10200
7 David Heine - Tight Lines - 18 / 5 / 4540
8 David Nonomura - Eqipe Airflo - 19 / 10 / 8380
9 Claude Cipelletti - Tight Lines - 19 / 10 / 8020
10 Donald Thom - Equipe Airflo - 19 / 8 / 6420
11 John Beaven - Equipe Airflo - 20 / 10 / 7820
12 Terence Courtoreille - Cormorant - 20 / 9 / 7580
13 Trevor Welton - Merganser - 20 / 9 / 6760
14 Eric Short - Motley Crew - 21 / 9 / 7180
15 Norm Godding - Mustang - 21 / 9 / 4900
16 Ian Gazeley - Flytastic Five - 22 / 10 / 8160  
17 Graham Murfitt - Merganser - 22 / 6 / 4800
18 Peter Morrison - Tight Lines - 23 / 8 / 6680
19 Marc Bilan - MRFD - 23 / 8 / 6420
20 Randy Taylor - Equipe Airflo - 23 / 6 / 5240
21 Jason Doucette - Flytastic Five - 23 / 5 / 4440
22 Peter Huyghebaert - Motley Crew - 24 / 7 / 6360
23 Randy Patton - Mustang - 24 / 7 / 5860
24 Sunny Van Der Kloof - Merganser - 24 / 6 / 5260
25 Dean Kolody - Flytastic Five - 24 / 6 / 5120
26 Tim Bernardo - MRFD - 25 / 8 / 6360
27 Clint Goyette - Meganser - 25 / 8 / 5980
28 Rod Ramsay - MRFD - 26 / 4 / 3220
29 John Wilkinson - Motley Crew - 27 / 8 / 6300
30 Chris Puchniak - Merganser - 27 / 6 / 4220
31 Aaron Laing - Mustang - 29 / 5 / 4480
32 Wayne Yoshizawa - Mustang - 29 / 5 / 4120
33 Philip Short - Motley Crew - 30 / 5 / 3800
34 Rob Viala - Tight Lines - 33 / 4 / 3280
35 Travis Cragg - Flytastic Five - 33 / 3 / 2580
36 Deb Paskall - Tight Lines - 33 / 3 / 2440
37 Randy Paskall - Mustang -34 / 4 / 3340
38 Paul Davidson - MRFD - 36 / 3 / 2280
39 Ken Metzler - Flytastic Five - 36 / 2 / 1740
40 Gord Bacon - Motley Crew - 38 / 1 / 640

Peter Huyghebaert scored the biggest fish, which was 60cm in length...

[Dejon Hamann]

Congrats eveyone! Besides the amazing results that's a substantial donation to a worthy cause.

[Chris Puchniak]

That was an amazing event with much tougher fishing than was expected.

Many props to team Cormorant for their excellent smart play.  As well to Airflo that performed well once again.

Well done for many anglers in conditions that surprised the heck out of most of us!

[Janos Boda]

Congratulations everyone!

Great jobs Todd to putting together a tournament like this, excellent fundraising event for a great cause.

[Mark Hanes]

Congrats to all those that competed.   Next year I have to make it up there.

[Loren Williams]

Way to go Scott and Pete!  Way to make the USA a little bit heavier!!!!!!

[Aaron Laing]

Just starting to be able to rotate my shoulder after all that casting. The weather was cold and the fish dour, but a great time was had by all.

Congrats of course to all the winners, a very big thank you to Todd for organizing such a great event, and heartfelt thanks to Mike and all the team at Highland Valley Copper for helping to facilitate what is going to become a must-do on the competitive circuit in North America.

I learned a ton (more) about Loch fishing from many of my boat partners (particularly Rob Stroud of Team Cormorant) and here's hoping that I'll be able to crack this particular nut in the future.

Aaron

[Claude Cipelletti]

Hi folks, I participated in this event and it was awesome! It was my first competition and a bit of an eye opener, I certainly learned as I went and the folks I fished with were gracious enough to give me hints at times.

Todd, thanks again for organizing this competition. I will be back net year!

The only bad thing is that I must now win the lottery so I can afford to go to all the events I see listed on this site!

Cheers, CLaude

[Chris Puchniak]

Hey Claude, good to see you on the site my friend!  We'll have to talk more when we get a chance next!