TYING CONTEST 2010
Time has come to announce the 2010 US Open Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead Tying Contest.
We will accept entries from March 31, 2010 to June 30, 2010. Flies must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2010We will photograph each fly and post these on the website as soon as possible and open the Reader’s Choice voting for a period to be announced later.
We will have three main categories plus Reader’s Choice this year:
There will be three winners in the three main categories and one Reader’s Choice award.
This year we are doing something a little different. The contest is being sponsored by FeathersMc.com, FlyAanglersOnLine.com and Ronnlucassr.com. It is our collective belief that the USA deserves to have a high profile Atlantic Salmon tying contest and with promoting on our three websites, this will happen. The contest, as usual will be open to any tyer regardless of where he/she lives.
- Wet fly. This category has hair wings, Speys and Dees, other sub-surface flies.
- Compulsory Classic Fully Dressed pattern. This year the pattern is The Beresford’s Fancy (see recipe below).
- Freestyle Fully Dressed. This category allows the Tyer to reach deep within his/her creativity. The entries must resemble fully dressed flies in their construction but design is up to the Tyer.
No fee to enter.
The number of entries per Tyer is limited to three. This means that each tyer can enter one fly in each category. No more than three flies in total.
Prizes
Classic: Compulsory Fully Dressed
- First: Engraved Plaque with Winners Name
- Second: Silver Medal
- Third: Bronze Medal
Freestyle Fully Dressed
- First: Engraved Plaque with Winners Name
- Second: Silver Medal
- Third: Bronze Medal
Wet Fly
- First: Engraved Plaque with Winners Name
- Second: Silver Medal
- Third: Bronze Medal
Reader’s Choice
- Engraved Plaque with Winners Name
(Not shown actual size, they are much larger)
The winners in each category will also receive:
1st place $25.00 gift certificate from FeathersMc.com, one exhibition grade hook from RonnLucasSr.com
2nd place $15.00 gift certificate from FeathersMc.com, one exhibition grade hook from RonnLucasSr.com
3rd place $10.00 gift certificate from FeathersMc.com, one exhibition grade hook from RonnLucasSr.com
Recipe for the Beresford’s Fancy
As presented in Classic Salmon Flies, History & Patterns
By Mikael Frodin
- Tag: Silver twist, claret-magenta floss.
- Tail: Golden Pheasant crest & Indian Crow (or sub)
- Body: In two equal sections: blue and orange floss.
- Ribs: Fine oval silver.
- Hackle: Natural black cock’s hackle from second rib (turn)..
- Throat: Claret-magenta & Jay.
- Wing: Tippet (strands), Mixed sections of Bustard (Kori), Swan dyed claret-magenta, blue and orange, Mallard.
- Horns: Blue Macaw
- Head: Black Ostrich.
You may use substitutes for rare materials. There are variations of this pattern and tyers may use them as long as it is an accepted classic dressing.
Rules:
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This is very important. Be sure to indicate which of the three categories your fly/s should be entered in. If you do not, your fly may not get into the right one and the results could be disappointing for you.
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Flies submitted must be for Salmon and/or Steelhead.
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Please include your name and mailing address, email address if any, pattern name, pattern recipe and a hard copy (printed) of all of this information.
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Number of entries per Tyer limited to three. This means that each tyer can enter one in each category. No more than three flies in total.
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Flies and info will become property of the sponsors. Most, if not all, will be donated to fly fishing clubs for their fundraising efforts.
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Mail entries to Ronn Lucas, Sr., 13535 SE Beech, Milwaukie OR 97267, USA. Flies must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2009.
These contests are presented to you to encourage your fly tying skills growth by competing head to head with your peers and to have fun.
A few words regarding the voting for the main categories. We will receive many entries tied by tyers of varying skill levels. I encourage every Tyer to try to do his/her very best and just to have fun with the contest. All entries will be posted at RonnLucasSr.com, FeathersMc.com and in the Atlantic Tying section at FAOL. Remember, when we judge the flies, every small detail can and will have a big influence on the score. Crooked ribs, lumpy floss, head cement wicking into the body or wings, fuzz showing in the head and every other consideration will effect the final score. Be very critical of your flies.
Most contests will not give you the above information but we want each of you to reach deep within yourselves to refine and expand your skills. This is the best prize we as Tyers can win in tying contests. Other prizes are great too but this is a hobby and if we don’t improve our skills we become stagnant and too often our interest will fade.
Now, let the contest begin!
Should anyone have any questions regarding the contest or any facet of the series, please contact me at 503-654-0466 or, ronn@ronnlucassr.com or, 13535 SE Beech, Milwaukie OR 97267. Please put “contest” in the subject line of the email.
Happy Trails! ~ Ronn Lucas, Sr.
Originally published March 1, 2010 on Fly Anglers Online by Ronn Lucas, Sr..