Report from Rodney Wevill
What a day high up on Dartmoor for Round 3 of the Brown Trout Masters.
We faced 8 hours of heavy rain and 45 mph plus winds.
But that wasn’t going to dampen the spirits much and with 30 Browns to the nets.
Andrew Gooding was the winner with 9 fish with Andrew Watson runner up with 5 fish beating Rodney Wevill 6 fish by 2cm in overall length.
Steve Retallack won the largest fish with an excellent 43cm specimen.
A special thanks to John Deprieelle for filming today in such testing conditions, look out for the Round 3 video in the next week or so.
And also special thanks to the event Sponsors and Partners YETI Europe Trout Fishing South West Lakes Trust Lakedown Brewing Co. & Tap Room Turrall Flies
More photos will be posted soon.
Result of round 3. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 1
2. Andrew Watson. 2
3. Rodney Wevill. 3
4. Wayne Thomas. 4
5. Steve Retallack 5
6. Keith Burnett ! 6
7. Brendan Cooper. 7
8. John Huckins. 8
9. Pete Williams. 9
9. Paul McEvoy. 9
Standing after 3 rounds.
Position. Points
1. Andrew Gooding. 8
2. Wayne Thomas. 9
3. Keith Burnett. 10
4. Rodney Wevill. 11
5. Paul McEvoy. 19
6. John Huckins. 20
7. Pete Williams. 21
8. Steve Retallack. 25
9. Andrew Watson. 30
10. Tony Chipman. 31
11. Gary Brazier. 33
12. Garry Boyde. 34
12. Dave Perks. 34
13. Brendan Cooper. 35
My day :-
I had been looking forward to this annual excursion for some time as Fernworthy high on Dartmoor is a beautiful venue and as a result of its location gets everything nature can throw at it. Gale force winds heavy rain its all part of the fascinating game that is fishing. In a competition like this it is the same for everybody and there is certain pleasure in sharing the experience as a community for the Fluff Chuckers is very much a part of large community of like minded individuals.
My own strategy based on previous visits was to persist with a tried and trusted set up. Three flies, a black lure on the point and two small black flies on the droppers. I chose spot where I could put out a line into a wind lane and covered the water. It proved a frustrating day with eight fish hooked, four brought to net and several takes missed. If I had the day again would I have fished differently ? Hindsight is great but If I fished the same conditions again I would probably do the same but might have focussed more on some areas that brought more takes and cut back to two flies as in the conditions I probably lost half an hour throughout the day sorting minor tangles.
