TroutLegend

JUNE UPDATE:
Since the Teva Games in early June two Loch Style competitions and two Bronze level “Minis” have put forth some notable moves to the Leader Boards. The “B.C. Loch Championship” at Trojan Pond outside of Logan Lake, British Columbia met all the hype and proved to be the premier loch style competition in this cycle. The powerhouse Can-Am collaboration flying under Team Cormorant of national team members Todd Oishi/Terence Courtoreille of Canada, and Pete Erickson/Scott Robertson of U.S.A proved themselves to be the frontrunner with Team Gold edging out long time Canadian medal winners Team Airflo in 2nd, followed by newly formed Team Merganser in 3rd. Team Merganser secured Bronze without a single angler in the top 10 showing that an even team performance can certainly pay dividends.  Recent Fly Fishing Team USA retiree Scott Robertson couldn’t stay off the circuit for long and motored in with an Individual Gold.  Team MRFD’s Devin Ramsay stepped out of his team’s average showing and into a Silver while the perennial performer Mark Anderson of Team Airflo took home the Individual Bronze. (Photo care of Todd Oishi. From left: Terence Courtoreille , Pete Erickson, Todd Oishi, Rob Stroud, Scott Robertson )

As the “B.C. Championship” closed a precursor to the venerable America Cup in September staged a 1 day Loch Competition on Lake Nottingham at Avon, Colorado. Team Caddis’ captain Dzifa Glymin edged out newly acquired Fly Fishing Team USA member’s Josh Graffam and Rob Kolanda by 1000 fish pts.

(Photo from www.theamericacup.com of Dzifa Glymin)

Later in the month a well attended 24 angler Bronze level mini named the “Southern Summer Series” took place on the Lower Nantahala near Wesser, North Carolina. This was the same venue used in Mays Team USA National Championship. Team NC member Tim Fisk proved he learned well from his mediocre 48th showing at Nationals and sped to Gold at the Summer Series. Fellow Team NC team mate and Fly Fishing Team USA member Chris Lee continued his leader board ascent taking 2nd, followed by Team Stonefly’s general Chris Smith. Lee’ capped an impressive 9th event in this cycle with his Summer Series showing.
(Photo courtesy of Hallie Mansfield at http://www.halliemansfield.com/)

Just this past weekend Team Mayfly swept their hosting of the Spring Creek Mini near State College, Pennsylvania. This was the same exact footprint for the Team USA NE Regional in March and competitors as well as fans were excited to see the river under prime conditions compared to the “chocolate” 200 year flood waters they experienced earlier in the year. Mayfly captain Dejon Hamann took 1st place, followed by fellow team mates Pat Weiss in 2nd, and Kalvin Kaloz in 3rd.

2011 OUTLOOK:
With all currently listed summer competitions complete a race toward TroutLegend Top Angler and Team will accelerate quickly in September with two Gold level competitions and three Bronze:

(BRONZE) NALS Crane Lake – September 10. Bend, Oregon US. For more info: HERE
(GOLD) The America Cup International Fly Fishing Tournament – September 15-18. Vail, Colorado US. For more info: HERE
(GOLD) 9th Canadian National Championship – October 17-22. Montebello, PQ, CA. For more info: HERE
(BRONZE) Team DeadDrift Gold Cup – November 12-13. Dahlonega, GA, US. For more info: HERE
(BRONZE) Callaway Gardens Loch Tourny – December 3. Pine Mountain, GA, US. For more info: HERE

As of this update, July 13th 2011, Fly Fishing Team USA member’ Devin Olsen and Lance Egan retain a strangle hold on the Individual Leader board with more combined points then any other team collective. All though it is a technical probability it looks unlikely that they will be caught unless another angler in the top 15 finishes no less than 1st at one of the major and minor events listed above. Only time will tell.

Meanwhile TroutLegend Team Leader Board frontrunners Team NC hold a stable position with nearly twice the points of neck and neck 3rd place Team Mayfly and 4th place Team Stonefly, while Team Comorant strides the difference in 2nd place. With so many competitors and a handful of good competitions still in play it will come down to what team can push their star players to podium positions by years end.

Fly Fishing Team USA executed a dominating sweep of the SE Regional recently with all four of it’s participants taking top positions. Hanner and Naranja also performed flawlessly gaining four “1s” each… a feat only attained by a hand full of competitors. As yet unconfirmed positions 5 through 9 should gain a bid to the Team USA National Championships slated back in Cherokee, NC on the same venues dated for May 19-22nd.

Full Results:
Fin Competitor Plc Pts Fish Pts
1 Randy Hanner 4 38,260
2 Anthony Naranja 4 27,540
3 Kurt Finlayson 7 20,760
4 Josh Stephens 9 22,200
5 Chris Lee 9 17,320
6 Bill Strickland 11 13,640
7 Corey Roberts 14 19,160
8 Bryan Katzenmair14 12,260
9 Paul Bourcq 14 11,840
10 Kevin Lowe 15 15,360
11 Justin Lyons 15 14,540
12 Michael Yelton 15 14,080
13 Chris Smith 15 9,920
14 Seth Gerring 17 9,320
15 Hunter Hoffler 17 6,540
16 Paul Colcord 18 11,600
17 David Woody 18 10,820
18 Mac Brown 18 7,480
19 Anita Coulter 18 7,440
20 Leonard Sauers 18 6,040
21 Jason Baker 19 8,820
22 Andrew Brown 19 5,020
23 Dell Neighbors 20 8,500
24 Eugene Shuler 21 7,520
25 Bob Lux 25 2,380
26 Tucker Horne 26 1,760
27 Jason Buffkin 27 1,800
28 Derek Geldhauser27 1,780