Anglers with mobility disabilities will be able to compete alongside able-bodied anglers in the first casting contest of its kind at the CLA Game Fair at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, from Friday, 20 July to Sunday, 22 July.

The aim of the competition is to show that having a disability is not a barrier to taking part in fly fishing. Disabled anglers will compete on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts during the event.

CLA Game Fair Director Andrew Crawford said: “The competition is designed to test the skills needed to fly fish successfully from a boat and is open to all anglers. All entrants will compete sitting down in a wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat and points are scored for speed and accuracy with a fly rod rather than distance.

“A total prize fund of £1,000 will be on offer. There are two entry categories and daily prizes will be awarded with £100 going to the disabled and able-bodied anglers achieving the highest scores on each of the three days. An overall first prize of £400 will go to the highest scoring angler and in the event of a tie the prize fund will be split equally.”

The Salmon and Trout Association will run the competition alongside other casting events during the show.

Mr Crawford added: “The combined generosity of all clearly shows what can be achieved by the industry working together. The whole event should prove a huge success for all involved.”

Andy Beadsley, of The Wheelyboat Trust, said: “Disability is no barrier to fly fishing given the right opportunities and equipment. This competition gives disabled anglers the chance to show their fishing skills and compete on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts.

“The vision of The Wheelyboat Trust is straightforward: open access for disabled people on waters everywhere through a range of Wheelyboat models to meet everybody’s needs.”

Iain Wood, Managing Director of competition sponsor FishPal, said: “FishPal is proud to be sponsoring this casting competition at the CLA Game Fair during this Olympic and Paralympic year.”
Save money by booking tickets for the CLA Game Fair 2012 at Belvoir Castle online before 13 July. Please visit www.gamefair.co.uk or call the ticket hotline which is open till 13 July on 020 7460 7955.

CLA GAME FAIR MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Ollie Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or Ollie.Wilson@cla.org.uk

Liz Peplow, CLA Game Fair PR, 07917 647663 or gamefairpress@cla.org.uk