Guys,
As you know, Ben and I have been regulars at the last few CLA Game Fairs. One of the casting competitions we enter (with varying levels of success, to be honest) is the Saltwater Distance. Sadly, I've never made the final, but I do enjoy taking part and can just about deal with the frustration of not being there to compete at the final shoot out
You can probably imagine that with just a very few 4 weeks to go I was 'somewhat annoyed' to hear that the Saltwater Distance competition may not be held this year, there has been no word of this on the CLA website nor any mention on any of the angling forums (until very recently) and certainly no mention in any of the magazines. Actually, I was bloody furious to hear it's most likely going to be pulled.
Yes, I do compete in that event but in my honest opinion if it goes from the list of events at the CLA it would be a great shame for single handed competitive fly casting in the UK. The Saltwater Distance is an almost unlimited class, a 'run what you brung' type event with nothing else like it in the UK that I know of. The CLA events are, to my mind, the show-piece of competitive fly casting in the UK with worldwide recognition; so to pull the premier single handed event seems very self-defeating. There are many UK casters who look forward to this event every year - myself obviously included - some of those casters put considerable time and effort into developing their outfits and practising every year.
So to hear at such short notice that the event may well not be held is a bitter body blow indeed.
All is not lost, I am having a constructive dialogue with the head of fishing at the CLA (Chris Ogborne) and
if I can get a sufficiently large entry list together then the event
might be saved. So here's the rub.... who wants to come down and give it a go
Know anyone who would
Please ask them to get in touch with me
I have a week to submit my findings to Chris, I would like to say to him we have an entry list that is 20+ casters long... I currently have 11 names.
To save the event for the future I need your help.
Please do ask around, post this information elsewhere, do whatever you can to help keep the event alive.
You could just email Chris to protest, any help is appreciated.
H