GRAYLING COMP. – SUNDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2008

On Sunday 3rd February, 20 hardy fly anglers gathered to fish the superb Maelor beats of the River Dee for the Severn Trent Rivers Championship. Places for the English National Rivers Final were also up for grabs.

Despite the river being 2 feet above normal level the grayling fed avidly. On the day a total of 159 grayling, the largest 44 cm, were caught and carefully returned.

The top 3 anglers employed contrasting tactics to great effect. Winner Martin Dixon targeted areas well away from other anglers and fished small bugs close in on a tight line. The ever consistent Dave Critchlow from Stoke was second with a team of small bugs fished on a longer line swung into bankside lies. Young gun Phil Dixon came third with his aggressive style of deep (scary!) wading and Czech nymphing using a very heavy controller fly to get his lighter, smaller fishing flies down to the fish.

Special mention must be made of Shrewsbury’s Paul Hopwood. Paul was a late entrant who had never even walked the beats used. He came 4th catching 16 grayling.

Winner Martin Dixon said after the event “the real winner today was the River Dee - fantastic fishing!”.

Final Results – Top 10 placings:-
 
1. Martin Dixon           29  fish     2 place points
2. Dave Critchlow        11           4
3. Phil Dixon                18            5
4. Paul Hopwood        16            5
5. Tim Burn                 11            6
6. Graham Willis            8            6
7. Mark Macleod          8            6
8. Gary Owen              14           8
9. Mike Dixon               7            8
10. Gary Hedges           8           11