The Board

Hi gents and ladies,

I think we should host an annual British championship based around the world championship rules last weekend. We are simply not competitive enough and something I've learned from the past is that a thriving competition scene raises your level. I don't envisage that we'll have a great deal of competitors but we will at least start the ball rolling.

While we are certainly not of a high enough level to score international events, we can certainly mark our own.

What do we think?

I have a question by the way, if Scotland becomes independent does it withdraw from Great Britain in sports and compete alone?

Thanks, Paul

And if it does, let's see - I was born in Jersey CI, my mother is Scottish as is that side of the family - I believe I descend from the Anderson Clan - certainly that is the family kilt, my father's side is English from the North. I grew up first in Jersey, then Glasgow, then close to London. Who the fuck do I compete for?

Cheers, Paul

Norway of course Paul! Lots of Norse influence up north, isn't there?

It would be a lot cheaper

If this goes ahead I suggest that we run with a knockout round head to head style format carried out over two minutes of casting time.

I would hope one day to see the WC done this way also as it is the fairest way to negate the current prevalent casting conditions.

I'm definitely up for this - I'm assuming you need a venue with water, anywhere in mind?

Lee - can I persuade you to come to the BFCC in Glasgow (Fintry) on the 14th Sept? .

If you guys have anything over water, don't bother with the ropes with floats. Just buy long layflat hose that you can plug from both ends. In one end you should install a valve to so you can fill and empty the hose with air. Then it is about painting (or taping) the length markers. Takes a hell of a lot less space, is cheaper and doesn't tangle.

Thanks Sakari. Great idea! Problem might be half metre is too long in some events. We need to do some research into lasers. There is too much margin for error. How the hell the Spey casts were measured to half metre I have no idea. Not when the fly lands 10 or 15 metres from the tape!

What I would like to do and must do is spend half a day measuring with the laser vs the tape. My question is can you accurately find and mark fluff with the laser, how long does it take and what is the error margin.

Cheers Paul

Incidentally I don't know about you but I was casting as close to the outside mark as possible for the best marking. I might have to revisit the tactic!

I'm up for a head to head knock out Lee. It can also favour a lane of course. After all everyone wanted to be on the outside lane. Personally, if it's not a knock out, I'd like to see one casting at a time in the finals. Less interference but also more pressure. In these sort of decisions I'll go with whatever the majority of competitors desire.

A lot of discussion has come up over rod stiffness. Bernd and Ronny for example would like to see rod stiffness more akin to fly tackle. This would obviously suit me rather well. And maybe it's because of that I have no opinion. However if the championships changed to casting 5wt with T38s for example because it was worked out that it gave an edge then I would support a rod stiffness standardisation.

On the other hand there are many who wish to open the 5 line designation. And they have a point too. It's always going to be a complicated decision determining the rules. That's why I think any changes must be current majority competitor led. And well in advance. It's got to the point of not pick up and go, but instead serious training. Sakari has been training for three years for example. That's where we are heading.

Cheers Paul