The Championship is over and it is time to say a few words to summarize it.
First of all, I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who took part in the preparation and in the course of the competitions – especially to my closest co-workers – Karel Křivanec, Jiří Pejchar, Ota Brož, Jitka Bočková, Bára Cirklová and Jana Zemánková. Special thanks to all the judges and translators. Thank you to all the staff of the South-Bohemian Board of the Czech Anglers Union and our friends who took part in helping prepare the Championship and fish stocking
We found strong partners and I hope that our championship was the start of a long-term cooperation focused on improving fish populations in all waters and on the development of fly fishing in South Bohemia.
Our championship was very hard, winners had to prove their fishing skills in all aspects of fly fishing and I can quote the words of FIPS-MOUCHE Secretary General´s – Borut Jerše – who said: “At this kind of competition only the absolutely complex fishermen can succeed, moreover they have to fish their best in all five sessions”. Therefore, I would like to congratulate all competitors for their great approach in all sessions and in the whole Championship. The Jury had no reason to meet to solve any problem or protest. Ivan Vančura, winner in the Individual competition, belongs among the top Czech fly fishermen with a long-term experience from fisheries in South Bohemia, and I have to say that he was my secret tip for the winner before the championship. I would really like to appreciate the performance of a young French competitor, Jean Guillame Mathieu, because in the last round he was only one centimetre away from the gold medal – but that is sport. Marek Walczyk from Poland, another candidate for gold before last round, finaly took bronze medal after great performance between big stones in Vltava 29P.
We have proved that the rotation of beats during individual sessions is no problem for the organisation of the Championship; moreover it helps to guarantee equal opportunities for all competitors and spreads fishing pressure on individual beats. It brings another important point to the competition and that is time management.
In total 5,151 fish were caught, competitors reached the fantastic rod average of over 60 fish! The largest fish was a pike of 63 cm caught by Englands Baz Reece, in addition many good brown trout and fantastic rainbow trout in the range 55 – 60 cm were caught or hooked. Hopefully, all attendants took back home great and memorable experiences. For some it was a big fish in the net, for some a big fish which snapped his leader in the stream, for some it was a small fish caught under a tree after a great cast and this moved them up in the score. The best competitors were honoured to listen to their National anthem. Some got to know an interesting country with friendly people and great fisheries, everyone established new friendships. All these experiences will remain in the minds of all and this is more important than all results.
We will complete the catch statistics in individual beats, in all sessions and will divide fish species within a few weeks and this will be the real end of, as I hope, a successful Championship.
I hope to see you again sometime in the future and Tight Lines!!!
Milan Hladík
