Cla
Just back to normality after a fantastic weekend at the Broadlands CLA Gamefair.
What a difference a year can make,the Credibility of the CLA has been firmly restored.The mysterious goings on of 2005 have been eradicated by the organisers,No overnight leaderboard changes,No assisted passages to finals,No reduction in the numbers allowed to participate in the biggest final in the world,and most importantly complete integrity by the judges,and finally no sign of the people who made all of the above happen last year.Well done to all involved as this has put the CLA firmly back on the map as the undisputed No.1 show in the world,it was clear to see all weekend that there was a fantastic enthusiasm and Cameraderie between competitors from all over the world,this is what these shows are all about.
How was this acheived? It was very simple, "Good Communications",from day one of the show, there was a meeting took place with the competition organisers, officials, CLA officials and all the competitors involved before a single competitive cast took place, who all knew what went on last year.They were in no doubt that it had to be put right,and I am glad to say it was.They also had a meeting for drinks at the end of each day for everyone participating and kept everyone up to speed,so I would like to congratulate the S&TA officials for a good job well done.The people who were directly affected by some of these decisions last year,were rewarded this year as their true potential shone through,well done to Blair Banks and your family who have given you terrific support,Chauffering you all over the country,and to Andrew Toft who could easily have thrown in the towel if they had not been given a fair crack at it.
Thats History its now time to move on.
Jack.the Clan Macleod is a very good rod, I used it at Emo in Ireland in June when I had a following breeze and it worked really well,Harry kindly leant me it and asked me to try it for him,Gordon Macleod AKA Speyghillie designed the rod and it is named after him,well done to you Gordon it was great to see you at the weekend and have a few beers.I still cant see past my 17ft 11 in Carron as the best all rounder which Andrew Toft and myself usually battle over,in fact we shared it in yesterdays final as well.
Jack the tackle used over the weekend for the 6 finalists was
6 BEST QUALIFIERS FOR THE SPEYCASTING FINAL
Gordon Armstrong Carron 17ft 11in 105ft Carron line 57.5M 62.88 yards
Knut Syrstad LTS 18FT XLT line 53.75M 58.78 yards
James Chalmers Carron 17ft 11in 100ft Carron line 53.00M 57.97 yards
Andrew Toft Carron 17ft 11in 105ft Carron line 52.75M 56.86 yards
Blair Banks B&W Norway 18ft 105ft Carron line 52.00M 56.86 yards
Ruiairi Costello Carron 17ft 11in 105ft Carron line 50.75M 55.50 yards
ALL THE CASTS THIS YEAR WERE MEASURED IN METRES
The Speycasting standard is getting better every year,55.5 yards to qualify is absolutely amazing,its not that long ago that it was won with 43yards,its thanks to the likes of Ian Gordon,Bill Drury,Scott Mackenzie,Way Yin and Steve Choate the pioneers of competition Speycasting that the interest is growing year on year.
Michael Evans and Scott Mackenzie,the World Record holder at 68 yards, gave a good presentation before Sundays Final in Front of a packed Grandstand,on Competition Casting,and all the benefits of todays modern fishing tackle, which evolve from the competition equipment,it was very informative and well presented.Well done.
BTW A hearty congratulations to Way Yin who I noticed managed a competition personal best of 54.68 yards and just missed out on getting to the final.It was great to see you over the weekend Way,try and not work too hard and keep it up with the Nees-Style.
The Final on Sunday proved to be very testing indeed as the wind was horrendous,but as they say the cream always rises to the top.
1st Gordon Armstrong
2nd Andrew Toft
3rd Ruiairi Costello
4th Blair Banks (Fantastic acheivement for a 15 year old)
5th Knut Syrstad
6th James Chalmers
Congratulations to Gordon Armstrong who is now the undisputed Speycasting World Champion ,well done Loon.and a hearty congratulations to Andrew Toft you are now back where you rightfully belong,and Ruiairi Costello,an up and coming talent from Ireland.
Gordon receiving his prize and Gwyneth Jack receiving the manufactures trophy from the CLA Chairman
Gordon Armstrong,Gwyneth Jack and Michael Evans
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f288/speyvalley/DSC01297.jpg
A nice view of 15 year old Blair Banks taking part in Sundays Final
Blair also won the Junior Salmon distance in his last year as a junior great acheivement
Ruiairi Costello took 1st place in the UK mens trout distance
Mikael Bloomberg of Norway wins the mens Salmon distance
Mikael Bloomberg 1st Cameron Smith 2nd Ruiairi Costello 3rd UK mens Salmon distance
Ruiairi Costello and Mikael Bloomberg celebrate their victory
Knut Syrstad and myself getting our own back for finishing bottom of the pile
The only prize I won all weekend was the 100 metre sprint as Andrew Toft tried the stick a bottle of Champagne where the sun dont shine
The only world record that we managed this weekend was to get 8 guys and all their gear into Willie Gunns Green Banger,and drive 2 miles from the showground to the campsite without spilling a drop of alcohol.
Finally a special mention to Grant Mackenzie who finished the weekend off with a win in the mens Salmon distance and Trout distance on Sunday
Looking forward to next year
James Chalmers
