By Ian Scott

Update:The results are in!

In about a week, the town of Grande Prairie, Alberta will be over-run with anglers holding long rods, wearing hats with flies stuck on the brim, and probably a few extra pints and shots will be served in establishments around town.

It's almost time for the annual Canadian Fly Fishing Championships held under the auspicies of Fly Fishing Canada. No money or major prizes are up for grabs; instead, individual and team winners will win medals and a trophy. The results of the competition will have a bearing on who represents Canada at that international Fly Fishing Championships next year.

Equipe Airflo Team, 2006 Gold Medal Winners

Not all competitors have any strong desire to go to the International championships - for one thing, most of the costs of such championships, including the Canadian nationals, is borne out of pocket by each individual. But one thing most competitors do agree: regardless of how they place, it's a great opportunity to learn, make new friends and acquaintances and enjoy the fellowship of other anglers from across the country.

It's true that some anglers frown upon competitions. But in reality, many of those same anglers that frown upon official sanctioned competitions have their own unnofficial competitions with fishing pals, with arguments and discussions after the day about what fish should count, which one really was the biggest, and the standard, "Yeah well, if only I had landed that one that got away, you'd be buying me the beer tonight."

That doesn't allay fears about the health of fish though when there are greater numbers of anglers involved on waters catching fish. But unlike bass derbies where fish caught are kept in livewells, brought to shore for weighing, and then released, fly fishing competitions under the auspices of Fly Fishing Canada and the World governing body, Federation Internationale de la Peche Sportive en Mouche (International Federation of Sport Fly Fishing), require all fish to be immediately released after a quick measurement is taken by the angler, verified by a "Controller" if one is present or by another competing angler. Even special measuring trays are used to facilitate this process which allow for little handling of the fish by the angler after it is netted.

As Bob Jones points out in his article, The Rules And Regulations Of Competitive Fishing, there are a number of rules that competitors must be aware of, including what lines are legal, length of rods, how flies may be dressed, and the numbers of flies on a leader. Sometimes these rules need to be modified in order to accomodate local regulations or special conditions. There are also formal processes for lodging complaints or objections.

All this for a non-monetary award! But the rewards can be terrific. Who can complain about three days of fly fishing? And although there is very much a competitive aspect to the event, I found that most of the competitors participated with an "Olympic Spirit" including co-operation. At one point last year, an angler from the Quebec team, Claude Bedard felt sorry for me in my poor showings and dropped a few subtle hints and took the time to explain to me some of the strategy used that I hadn't understood. Claude's team, Les Chiens D'eau, coached by Ian James, went on to win the Silver Medal .. I went on to to make the acquaintance of some great fly anglers from Les Chiens D'eau (it should be noted that Claude Bedard is not only a great angler but a world class fly tyer as well having been crowned the "World Fly Tying Champion").

I can only imagine the numbers of volunteer hours required by FFC staff and the local oranizing committees where the events are held. This year, it seems that local organizers Peace Country Flyfishers Association are doing a fantastic job in preparations for the event. Procuring enough boats and transportation for the competitors to the various venues must be an enormous undertaking. Naturally, just like I admit that I myself had some criticisms of last year's event, there will likely be some this year - but they should be made if they are to be made at all, with the realization that these events are all made possible by volunteers and all out of their own pocket expense.

The itinerary for this year's Championships has been published to the competitors via email and is as follows:

"A Casino Night with live entertainment is planned for the Monday evening opening ceremonies.

There will be a cash bar at the Welcoming Barbecue and again at the Awards Banquet, but if budget allows free drink tickets may be included in the goodies bag.

First-time Team Captains can expect the Team Captain's meeting to consist of going over the rule book to discuss and clarify any changes that are particular to this event. They will also be briefed about transportation, lunches, and care of equipment."

ITINERARY

REGISTRATION DAY - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
REGISTRATION 9-11.30 SERVICE PLUS INN
CAPTAIN’S MEETING 12:30-2:00 SERVICE PLUS INN
CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM 3:00-5:00 CENTRE 2000
BBQ/OPENING CEREMONIES 6:00-9:00 CENTRE 2000


COMPETITION DAY 1 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
LEAVE GP 6:30 SERVICE PLUS INN
SESSION 1 9:00–12:00 MOONSHINE LAKE,  SPRING LAKE,  KAKUT POND
LEAVE FOR SESSION 2 12:30
SESSION 2 2:30–5:30  MOONSHINE LAKE, SPRING LAKE, KAKUT POND
RETURN TO GP 6:00

COMPETITION DAY 2 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. 2007
LEAVE GP 6:30 SERVICE PLUS INN
SESSION 3 9:00–12:00 MOONSHINE LAKE , SPRING LAKE, KAKUT POND
LEAVE FOR SESSION 2 12:30
SESSION 4  2:30–5:30 MOONSHINE LAKE, SPRING LAKE, KAKUT POND
RETURN TO GP 6:00

COMPETITION/CLOSING DAY 3 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007
LEAVE GP 6:30 SERVICE PLUS INN
SESSION 5 9:00–12:00  MOONSHINE LAKE, SPRING LAKE, KAKUT POND
RETURN TO GP 12:30

CLOSING CEREMONIES
COCKTAILS/SILENT AUCTION BID  5:00 QUALITY INN
DINNER/INTRO OF HEAD TABLE 5.45 QUALITY INN
CALL FOR FINAL SILENT ACTION BIDS 6.15 QUALITY INN
SECOND COURSE/SHORT SPEECHES 6:30 QUALITY INN
MEDAL CEREMONY 7:00 QUALITY INN
FFC ANNOUNCEMENTS 7:30 QUALITY INN
ANNOUNCE SILENT AUCTION WINNERS 7:45 QUALITY INN
LIVE ACTION 8:15 QUALITY INN
WRAP UP SPEECHES 8:45 QUALITY INN
PAY/PICK UP AUCTION ITEMS 9:00 QUALITY INN

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