Pic: Steve Cochrane

This year the Team England Fly Fishing Bank Final was held on Saturday 5th October 2013 at Chatton Fly Fishery, Northumberland.

Three lakes were used for 48 anglers who were competing for six places to represent England in next year’s International.

Tactics on the day included intermediate lines with small lures, floating lines with nymphs and buzzers and Chris Micallef tempting his fish with small dries.  The winner, Steve Cochrane, used a floating line with small buzzers to tempt 11 fish.
The Bank Organiser Jim Tuck, along with Team Manager Alan Jenkins, announced the result and presented the medals to the top 6 individuals – Steve Cochrane 20 points, Chris Micallef 18, Bernie Maher 16, Mark Harrison 15, Ryan Matthews 15 and Terry Phillips 14.   Brian Laddie was 7th and, therefore, England’s reserve but as he declined to accept this place it has now been given to Dean Appleby.

The team event was fished the following day (6th October) with 16 strong teams each consisting of 3 anglers and, as ever, proved to be very popular.  The winning team was Jubilee Fly Fishers – Jim Stephenson, Paul Runec and Lee Haslam. 2nd was Chatton Chasers (Jim Tuck, Gordon Swain and Rob Frame) and third was team Loomis (Simon Robinson, Phil Dixon and Andrew Scott).
On behalf of TEFF I would like to express my grateful thanks to Chatton Fly Fishery and its staff, the Apple Inn for the catering, all the controllers who assisted and Graham Robinson who took photographs on the day.  Also thanks to John Henderson who presented the team prizes on behalf of north-east based tackle company Greys of Alnwick who kindly sponsored the competition.
Alan Jenkins , Team Manager