Remarkable craftmanship
at the first NZ open fly tying competition
by Doug Stevens, nzfishing.com
The youngest competitor won a special commendation
for his remarkable fly-tying skills at the inaugural New Zealand
National Open Feather Merchants Fly Tying Championship in Rotorua
today.
Ten-year old Jacob Bond from Lake Rotoma, a passionate
fly fisher, has been tying flies for just a year. “For a 10-year
old boy to tie flies like this is phenomenal, I was hugely impressed
because not only did the flies look good, they would certainly catch
fish”, said Nate Jarvis, General Manager of Feather Merchants
who provided the prizes. Jacob’s parents were also pleased
with their bottle of Trout Valley wine, a merit award received by
all entrants.
Despite a good turn out, including some competitors
who had travelled from other parts of the country, the New Zealanders
were unplaced. The three main place-getters were all from the Finnish
and Italian fly fishing teams who are currently in Rotorua for the
World Fly Fishing Championships. Mr Jarvis commented that though
the competitors were all tying the same standard patterns, every
country had a slightly different take on them. Fishing writer Doug
Stevens from nzfishing.com observed “I was struck by the quality
and craftsmanship that people put into this aspect of the sport”
The overall winner was Jarkko Suominen of Finland,
while his team mate Janne Pirkkalainen was third. The second place-getter,
from Italy was Sandro Soldarinin.
The event which was open to the public, was so
successful, it will now be run annually in conjunction with the
New Zealand National Fly Fishing Champs. |
