GWFFA hosted the largest ever UK flyfishing day for disabled fly fishers, the Grafham Water Disabled Fly Fishers Day at Grafham Water on Sunday the 27th April. This was the seventh year this event has been run and it was supported by a record 45 disabled fly fishers, ten of whom were in wheelchairs. For the first time anglers not only came from the co-organisers England Disabled Fly Fishers Association but the club also welcomed two anglers from Ireland and nine from Wales. Unfortunately a contingent of four disabled anglers from Scotland had to withdraw, but invitations have already been extended for next year.
In all 45 boats including the new wheelyboat brought down from Rutland especially for the day competed for the John Hawkins trophy for the best boat pair,
This year’s top boat was Roy Palmer, and Harley Smith who caught 16 fish for 43lb 3oz to take the cup. In addition they were able to take their pick from the generous table of prizes provided by the events commercial sponsors John Norris, Anglian Water Fly Tying and Fly Fishing, Trout and Salmon Magazine and Trout Fisherman. There were also prizes donated from the competing clubs and individuals, John Sears, Gordon Watson and Andrew Perkins.
Roy Palmer also had the best bag at 22lb 6ozs. Runners up for the cup where Rick Varley and Peter Hartley with a joint bag of 36lb 10ozs , Rick also had the second best bag at 21lb dead. The table below shows the top 10 boat pairs and their combined bag weight. Heaviest fish was a superb Grafham Water rainbow tipping the scales at 5lb 5oz caught by Dave Waters.
The day was better than forecast on the weather front with just a short shower in the late morning, but not so good on the fishing front, despite prolific boat catches for the past few weeks. The North shore, the first call for most boats, was very disappointing and produced only a few of the fish on the day. Some of the larger fish were caught in deeper water, but the most productive area was the Southern corner of the dam. It would be fair to say that it was a tough day and several familiar faces failed to avoid a blank, but all had a good days fishing all the same and celebrated the day with an evening meal in the Harbour View restaurant. The evening, like the day was informal but during the evening a raffle was run which raised £330 for EDFF funds.
The event was also supported by other local clubs, Invicta and East Midlands Fly Fishers as well as the English Ladies Team who provided partners for the day. All who attended enjoyed the event, John Ashbey of EDFF told the organisers “We had a wonderful day†and John Duffield’s comment “The organisation, comradeship and fishing were all terrific, †made it all worthwhile. Unfortunately Gordon Watson who conceived and organised the event was ill on the day – but the smooth running of the day was a testament to the planning put in before the day.
Finally the day could not have happened without the support of Anglian Water staff who not only ensured that everyone got in and out of boats safely, but John Mees scored the day and Paul Jones helped with the weigh-in .
Grafham Water Disabled Fly Fishers Day 2008 – Placing Pairs
1 Harley Smith / Roy Palmer 43lb 3oz
2 Peter Hartley / Rick Varley 36lb 10oz
3 Dave Waters / Ray Crompton 36lb 7oz
4 Tony Dighton / Dia Evans 34lb 13oz
5 Andy Linwood / Jim Watts 32lb 9oz
6 Ron Lusardi / Danny Peet 31lb 8oz
7 John Duffield / Don West 28lb 13oz
8 Martha Thompson / John Weaver 26lb 0oz
9 Tim Leech / Alan Swift 21lb 7oz
10 Mick Facey / Clem Roddy 20lb 10oz
Mark Andrews (left) and Chris Mcleod
Ray Crompton
