3 & 4 September, 2010
There were 132 anglers representing 22 teams competing for a first prize of £2,000 in the prestigious 2010 Lexus European Fly Fishing Finals and it was an excellent match with good quality fish caught and every angler catching.
Welsh team Tightlines finished the strongest to become European Champions for 2010. The team of Stewart Watkins, Phil Cotton, Scott Graham, Steve Winstone and Martin Burgess was captained by Keith Tanner.
Fish were mainly in the top three feet of the water with the most popular method being ‘washing line’ style. Anglers were frustrated to find that fish were coming short and not taking flies properly. However, the reservoir was in stunning form, with anglers recording a match rod average of 5.48.
At the close of Day one Blagdon FF Bristol Water were in the lead with 45 fish for 93lb 9oz. Rio Masters were close behind with 45 fish for 92lb 6oz. Another team, also on 45 fish, was third placed Nymph a Maniacs weighing in at 88lb 9oz. Hungry Trout were in fourth position with 43 fish for 86lb 14oz. Tightlines held fifth spot with 41 fish for 79lb 10oz.
Day Two saw an outstanding performance by Team Tightlines weighing in 55 fish for 106lb 8oz, from second placed Rio Masters who netted 46 fish for 92lb 4oz. Team Loop UK took third slot on day two with 47 fish for 91lb 12oz, from consistent Nymph A Maniacs in fourth with 40 fish for 81lb 15oz.
Fifth place went to Greys – G – Tec Stocks with 41 fish for 78lb 12oz. Day One leaders Blagdon FF Bristol Water could only manage tenth place on Day Two with 37 fish for 73lb 8oz.
Lexus European Fly Fishing Finals 2010 Result
1st Team Tightlines 96 fish for 186lb 2oz
2nd Team Rio Masters 91 fish for 184lb 10oz
3rd Nymph-A-Maniacs 85 fish for 170lb 8oz
4th Team Loop UK 86 fish for 168lb 15oz
5th Blagdon FF Bristol Water 82 fish for 167lb 1oz
6th RAF Fish Hawks 73 fish for 149lb 4oz
7th Greys G Tec Stocks 72 fish for 140lb 7oz
8th Seighford Sharks 70 fish for 138lb 15oz
9th Ospreys FFC 70 fish for 138lb 6oz
10th Hungry Trout 69 fish for 137lb 1oz
Best bag of the match (plus time bonus) was taken by Gareth Jones of Nymph A Maniacs with a total weight of 49lb 8oz.
Dave Ogg fishing for RAF Fish Hawks weighed in the best Rainbow of the match at 4lb 9oz.