BFFI British Fly Fair

« **on:** 06/08/2021 at 13:20 »

The BFFI is on again for Feb 12 - 13 at the County showground Stafford.
Our local club HQ is the nearest pub just a mile away - The Saracens Head.
I spoke to the manager last night and if any forum member wants to stay there please let me know and I will arrange a discount.

« **Reply #1 on:** 06/08/2021 at 17:34 »

Very decent of you Terry

Unconfirmed as yet, but as we start to realign workstreams in the pandemic, I may yet be at the BFFI with my official work hat on.
Could be entertaining....

H

« **Reply #2 on:** 11/08/2021 at 14:37 »

Yes, thanks for that Terry

I'd certainly like to visit the BFFI again, I really enjoyed it last time, but I'm not sure about making any travel plans yet

Best wishes
Mike

« **Reply #3 on:** 21/08/2021 at 09:46 »

Should be a good one, given the dearth of shows over the past year or two and there's a lot of things/ tyers to see, including yours truly

« **Reply #4 on:** 04/11/2021 at 10:36 »

Be nice to see you all there in Feb. You may be interested in a little contest that I'm putting on - The Daddy Challenge - the best Daddy to suit the 'wafting' method. £100 first prize and the runner up gets a years subscription to FF&FT magazine.

« **Reply #5 on:** 06/11/2021 at 10:16 »

Prospect of an interesting challenge there Terry, be interesting to see what folk come up with

« **Reply #6 on:** 06/11/2021 at 13:55 »

Yes Hamish, it certainly will.
Quite a bit of interest shown already.

I've been playing around with a test rig this morning. A low voltage fan blowing across water to simulate a daddy on a dropper. Judging will need some thinking about. My regular boat partner, Geoff and I will hatch up a check list to score against.

Those dapping flies that you tied a couple of years ago will be on display.
Not had a chance to fish with them yet - both trips to the Highlands have been just too calm.

« **Reply #7 on:** 10/12/2021 at 20:39 »

Alas the changes in Covid measures now in place South of Hadrian's wall mean that any hope of my doing this as a semi-works trip just went straight out of the window

I sincerely hope the BFFI isn't cancelled due to the Omicron variant

« **Reply #8 on:** 10/12/2021 at 21:20 »

It's such a shame that the very important Scottish contingent may not be able to attend - that is even if it goes ahead?
We shall just have to wait and see.

« **Reply #9 on:** 22/01/2022 at 17:56 »

Well, it's definitely going ahead

Virtually a sell out regarding exhibitors. It will be a relief to see a bit of normality return.
Hope to see a few of you guys there.
If you can't make it, please tie up a daddy and post it to me as an entry for the BFFI Daddy Challenge. There are some brilliant tiers on here

« **Reply #10 on:** 07/02/2022 at 09:12 »

It's all go for the week end

My little wooden helpers show why a 15' rod can work the top of the water better than a 9'6" rod

« **Reply #11 on:** 07/02/2022 at 09:19 »

lovely set-up

« **Reply #12 on:** 07/02/2022 at 09:47 »

Thanks James - it will be a little more refined for the show.
Some of your flies will be featured as will the selection of dapping flies tied by Hamish.
...oh - and a Barrio reel and line on a demo rod

Still time for any forum member to send their entry for the Daddy Challenge....

« **Reply #13 on:** 07/02/2022 at 10:39 »

Great stuff Terry, hope you enjoy the weekend

« **Reply #14 on:** 14/02/2022 at 07:29 »

According to a couple of sources, Saturday was busy, Sunday less so - mind you I was also told the weather on Sunday wasn't great which may have put a dampener on things.
I'm looking forward to catching up with a few folk who I know attended BFFI for the first time this year, and some seasoned attendees, to get a feel for how it went.
Just glad it managed to take place

I wonder who will win/won the Daddy challenge Terry set up

« **Reply #15 on:** 14/02/2022 at 09:56 »

Yes Hamish - well attended on Saturday. Horrible weather on Sunday and most exhibitors packing away at 4.
It was well worth it though and I enjoyed the whole experience. My local club were on the next stall so it was a bit of a party spirit most of the time.

The Daddy Challenge was well supported and the unanimous winner among 4 judges was Barry Ord Clarke, Norway.
We each gave points out of 5 for innovation, effectiveness and skill. Barry was the highest scorer with 14 out of 15.
It was astonishing how the judges scores were so similar for all 24 entries.
I will post pictures when they come through.

« **Reply #16 on:** 14/02/2022 at 20:17 »

Barry Ord Clarke aka 'the feather bender' ??!!

Jings, worth running a competition just to get one of his flies 😆

« **Reply #17 on:** 15/02/2022 at 14:42 »

Yes - the feather bender himself!

« **Reply #18 on:** 15/02/2022 at 15:20 »

Great photo Terry

« **Reply #19 on:** 15/02/2022 at 17:28 »

Quote from: Terry Coging on 15/02/2022 at 14:42

Yes - the feather bender himself!
No wonder he won 🤣

« **Reply #20 on:** 15/02/2022 at 17:53 »

Here is the winning fly. On our score cards Barry Ord Clarke got 14 out of a possible 15. Three other entries got 12, so a clear winner.
There were some super flies entered but they lost points because they had trailing or bundled legs often too short. The remit pointed out that I was more interested in airborne activity and profile with a wide footprint. I will gladly use them all though

« **Reply #21 on:** 15/02/2022 at 20:06 »

That is a very nicely proportioned fly. No sensible trout could refuse it

Terry Coging

Hamish Young

Mike Barrio

Peter McCallum

Terry Coging

Hamish Young

Terry Coging

Hamish Young

Terry Coging

Terry Coging

Terry Coging

James Laraway

Terry Coging

Mike Barrio

Hamish Young

Terry Coging

James Laraway

Terry Coging

Mike Barrio

James Laraway

Terry Coging

Graham Nicol