AW - Airflo International Midland Heat

Saturday 1st June was the Midland Heat of the Anglian Water-Airflo International held at Grafham Water

12 teams were entered including 2 teams from GWFFA with 6 teams going through to the Midland Final in July. Most of our 2 teams had practiced in the days leading up to the match and the favoured method was floating line or midge tip with either straight line nymphs and buzzers or washing line using a booby on the point.

Match day though the weather was not the same as practice. At least the morning was a lot cooler, cloudier and windier. I decided to stick with the midge tip with traitor line nymphs despite my boat partner, Charlie Abrahams, from Sonik Pirates opting for a Di5 and blobs pulled. As did most of the boats, we headed for valley creek just to the left of the harbour. Although some boats were catching, noticeably Rio Masters, I did not get a pull here in over an hour and half. With no fish to the boat we decided to move to E buoy near the Seat. On the way past the harbour Charlie and I both saw a fish jump near Perry Point and Richard Slater, Elinor, had a fish on so we set up a drift from W buoy to Perry Point. After a few drifts we both had 2 fish but it wasn't enough to keep us there despite seeing Richard take a few fish.

We headed to E buoy where I saw Norman Rushden take a fish in Sailing Club Bay. We had a drift but nothing. A fruitless drift at Seat, E buoy and Sludge Bank saw us move to A buoy near the South End of the Dam.

This was the most productive area for both Charlie and I. A change if set up to a slow glass with 2 buzzers a hairs ear and a cormorant on the point i caught 2 more fish but also hooked and lost a couple here as well. A very frustrating afternoon saw us both return to the harbour 4 each!

At the weigh in things looked tight for the lower places in the top 6 but was clear that Rio Masters had won as all 6 had bagged up.

The results were given and GWFFA 1 had qualified in 5th place. Phew!

Unfortunately GWFFA 2 missed out on 6th place by only 11oz's!

We had made it to the Midland Final on 22nd July. A good result there will see us in the International Final in October.