The Third FishingMagic Fly Fish-In

The Third FishingMagic Fly Fish-In and Andy Wright Memorial Trophy

F for Fly fishing, F for Fun and F for Farting? A La the Methane Man Gary Knowles.

No, surely that would not be a feature this time.

Press Manor Trout Fishery

Most of us arrived on time and Brian the fishery manager had the tea and coffee available as usual. After formal introductions, we trooped off for a practice session to ready ourselves for the most important part of the day, the competition for the Andy Wright Memorial Trophy, a beautiful crystal bowl on rosewood base courtesy of FishingMagic.

Andy Wright by the way was a superb fly dresser who passed away a little over two years ago and who entertained and instructed us with his excellent fly tying demonstrations at our very first FishingMagic Fly Fish-in.

Enjoying a brew before the fishing. From left: Graham Marsden, Steven Devereux (chavender), Ron Clay, Sean Meeghan and standing, Dave Colclough

As I checked in the list of competitors, I couldn't help but notice that Barney (Gary Knowles), our previous winner, had not arrived. Whether this coincided with the fact that you could still smell wild spring flowers on the breeze and that there were plenty of swallows flying over the water I do not know. But it soon transpired that Barney was travelling with Kryston boss Dave Chilton, and that they had lost their way.

Shortly, Dave and Barney arrived. Dave announced that Barney had been very good and he did not have to turn on his car's air conditioning or open any windows for almost the entire journey.

Graham consoles a distraught scarecrow who got a whiff of a Barney blast (Graham is on the right)

Somehow, I was a little concerned. Was Barney saving something up to give us all a special treat? I asked him what he had eaten the evening before.

“Chinese and Indian” he said, “together with a huge plate of mushy peas and washed down with about 8 cans of Stella.” And with that he squatted next to Graham and proceeded to entertain us with a symphony of bottom blasts that even made the scarecrow in the next peg collapse and gasp for breath.

“I've been saving them especially for you,” he told Graham, and Graham then told him to go forth and multiply and take his a*se with him.

Sean Meeghan netted three trout to about 3lb in the morning session

The fishing that morning proved to be quite good. The fish were in buzzer-taking form and Graham managed four fish in quick succession, the best of the morning catches, with Sean Meeghan next with three fish. I even managed to catch a fish with Dave's tackle on Dave's cast. It was the retrieve that did it of course, not Dave's casting technique, yet Dave claimed otherwise.

At 12-45 we all set off to the Three Horseshoes for our traditional pint with fish and chips. Adrian had arrived in a fair sized 'people carrier' so quite a few of us jumped in that, including Barney. I didn't want to take my own car up there as I didn't want to lower the tone of the pub car-park!

Gathering round for the fly tying in the caravan. From left: Bryan Baron, Gary Knowles, Stu Dexter, Dave Colclough, Ron Clay, Neil Thomas, Adrian Hartopp, Dave Chilton (in Dick Walker hat), Graham Marsden, Sean Meeghan

As we sat in Adrian's vehicle in readiness for moving off, there came a mighty report. First I thought that Adrian's vehicle had backfired. This was followed by an ominous low rattle, rising to a crescendo which would have done credit to the reaching of a high note in the 'Trumpet Voluntary'.

Graham started coughing, he threw open the door and his face turned blue as several cubic metres of foul methane gas scented with ammonia, rotting peas and dead rats, turned the inside of Adrian's car a dark green. That was another one Barney had been saving for this special occasion.

After lunch we sat and watched Neil tie a few flies. Buzzers were on the move on the lake, so buzzers it had to be. Neil is an excellent tier by the way.

Then I decided to tie a traditional pattern, one of my favourites - an Invicta. I am rarely without a few of these flies, especially when sedges are about.

Fly Dresser's Guild member Neil Thomas gave a great fly dressing demo

Neil's Damsel Fly

Ron tied one of his favourites, the Invicta

Ron's Invicta

The competition began soon afterwards.

It was my job to score of course, no fishing for me.

The fishing wasn't easy. Rain threatened most of the time and we did get a bit of it. One thing that does put trout down is rain.

Towards the end of the competition, we had a situation were 4 anglers were sitting on 3 fish each, Dave Chilton, Bryan Baron, Danny Peet and Sean Meeghan. I didn't fancy having to award the trophy on the toss of a coin. I wanted a clear winner.

Then, thank goodness, Bryan hooked a trout. I willed it not to get off. And thankfully the fish was netted.

Ron presents the Andy Wright Memorial Trophy to this year's winner Bryan Baron

The final minutes went like hours. I started a countdown. Dave hooked a fish that got off. Barney hooked a fish in the dying seconds. However it was all over.

Congratulations to Bryan Baron, a worthy winner of this year's trophy. And thanks to all for coming and making it a real fun day out.

Well what can I say about our old friend Barney Knowles?

I'll let Graham have the last word.

But what a loss to a great day out if Barney wasn't there to play his trouser tunes.”

Thanks for organising it Ron, superb job as usual. And well done Bryan on winning the trophy!”