Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers' Association.

BRFFA DRIFTERS TEAM REPORT – 2017 

Over the winter, the Team reached a mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangement with Cortland UK.  In recognition of this close affiliation with Cortland, the team will be fishing as ‘BRFFA Team Cortland’ with immediate effect. On behalf of the team and the BRFFA, we would like to extend our thanks to Gary Pearson, Cortland’s UK Brand Ambassador for the support. 

The annual Captaincy rotation sees Gary Haskins take over from Tony Baldwin for 2018.  The Team and the Club would like to thank Tony for his significant contribution during 2017 and wish Gary well for the coming season. 

In terms of personnel for 2018, ‘BRFFA Team Cortland’ remains unchanged.    

Gary Haskins (Capt.)

Tony Baldwin 

Tim Wellman

Mark Miles

Lloyd Pallett

Mark Withyman

2017 Team Report.

With Mark Withyman and Tony Baldwin selected for Five Nations International duties, the team focussed on the Sportfish competition for 2017.  Entry into the AWAI Team event was not possible due to the Five Nation’s schedule clashing with the AWAI Regional final. 

Sportfish Competition 

18th June 2017 - Sportfish Teams Qualifier at Chew 

With two days practice behind them, the team had narrowed Chew down into two productive areas.  The better, grown on fish were located around Stratford and Moreton and were feeding hard on Blood Worm, Corixa and Damsels.  Back up, fresher and smaller fish were also found in reasonable numbers throughout Villace bay. 

With a very strong field, the decision to target the grown on fish with teams of nymphs with buoyant pattern on the point proved invaluable.  The team went on to win the qualifying heat by 4lb 15oz despite having caught one less fish than the highly respected Team Airflo who took 2nd. 

24th and 25th  August 2017 - Sportfish Teams Final at Chew and Blagdon

The Drifters nominated Gary Haskins and Mark Withyman to fish Blagdon while the balance of the team took on the notably more temperamental and challenging Chew.  It was a well thought out plan and a decision that was to pay dividends. On day one, Mark and Gary put in a commanding performance with their finely tuned washing line tactics at Blagdon finishing 9 fish and 25lb clear of 2nd place Nymphomaniacs.  

Meanwhile at Chew, the remaining members of the team didn’t capitalise on their two days practice as anticipated and failed to contribute fully to the scoresheet.  Nevertheless, the collective team effort meant that that BRFFA Drifters were in 2nd place overall heading into day two.    

Day two saw conditions at both lakes soften and expectations built as the team felt this would support their imitative cruncher and diawl bach approach.  Gary and Mark continued to excel at Bladgon while Tony Baldwin put in a notable Captains performance on Chew having found feeding fish holding on the weed beds and capitalised late on in the match.   

Overall the team finished a very credible 5th and just 12lb off the medals and prize fund.  Our congratulations go to Team Airflo who managed a convincing win over the two days. 

Other competitions

Tony Baldwin Captained England Blue in this year’s Five Nations held in Clitheroe, Lancashire.   Tony was supported by Mark Withyman, Tom Gott and Tom Speak.  England Blue achieved a notable 4th place having attained 74 placing points while Mark managed a superb 2nd place individually.   

The French took the spoils at this year’s Five Nations finishing comfortably ahead of England Red, and Ireland A.  A complete breakdown of team and Individual placings for the 5 Nations event can be found here.

Individually the team did well in the qualifying rounds for the English National Loch Style Final, with four of the team making it through to the Final at Rutland.  Mark Withyman finished in 23rd place securing his 9th Loch Style Cap for ATTEFF.