The England Youth Flyfishing Association held its national loch-style championships at Grafham Water on Sunday and Tom Cooper from Rutland regained the title he first won in 2005.  

Conditions were perfect at the 1500 acre Cambridgeshire reservoir for the 25 competitors from all over England who fished this event to select next years International Team. Fish were near the surface early on but bright sunshine soon brought a change in tactics with sinking lines finding the fish.

Tom Cooper (17) caught the maximum eight trout limit weighing 19lb3oz, closely followed by Edward Field (16) from Gloucestershire who took seven trout for 12lb10oz and last year’s Champion Josh Fenton from Sunderland taking six trout for 10lb14oz. Oliver Gilman was fourth with five fish for 10lb 7oz.  All three top rods were amongst the first three last year – but in a different order! Best fish of the day was 3lb 3oz , one of four trout caught by fifth placed  Karl Manley.

EYFA Chairman Alastair Smith said “This was a very successful event and the standard of fishing technique among these youngsters was very high. With almost all of them catching trout and an average of nearly three per rod. As a result we have selected a very strong team to fish the International Championship in Ireland next year.  The volunteer boatmen and Anglian Water staff were excellent and our thanks to all the parents and helpers who support these young people, enabling them to compete for their country.’’

Qualifiers for 2008 International team
Tom Cooper, Edward Field, Josh Fenton, Oliver Gilman, Karl Manley, Matthew Holroyd, Carl Malpass, Tom Davies, Patrick Senior, Stephen Pringle. Reserves  Matthew Kidd and William Payne.

The Qualifying Team and Two Reserves 2008