Fly Fish Australia Inc

FLY FISH AUSTRALIA INC.

XX1V Australian Fly Fishing Championships Tasmania

29th November - 2nd December 2017

PROVISIONAL DETAIL - 1 AUGUST 2017

The Tasmanian Chapter would like to advise that 7 competitionsectors are currently being considered for the 2017 National Fly Fishing Championships.

Penstock Lagoon - Boat session

Little Pine Lagoon - Boat session (optional sector Arthurs Lakes)

Woods Lake - Boat session

Meander River - Beats

Mersey River - Beats (optional sector South Esk River)

River competition beats will be determined at a later date.

Description

Fly Fish Australia Inc. (FFA) is staging the 2017 Australian Fly Fishing Championships from the Miena Community Centre. All key event activities will be conducted from the championship headquarters at Miena Community Centre.

55 Cider Gum Road, Miena

The process for competitor participation in the 2017 National Fly Fishing Championships (NFFC) will occur in the following sequence:

Step 1 - You must be qualified to participate under the FFA rules, ie ranking points AND paid up financial member of FFA (a list of qualifiers in the order that will be used for seeding into groups and entry acceptances is published on the FFA website Members are encouraged to check their financial status by login to the FFA Website (see process).

Step 2 - If you are qualified and will be attending the NFFC you MUST submit your entry nomination including payment of the entry fee ($175 for Young Guns and $350 for everybody else plus any shirts ordered) online via the FFA website not later than 5:00pm on Sunday 1st October 2017.Entries received after this date will not be accepted.

Step 3 - After the close of entry nominations the organising committee will review the entry list to ensure nominees are qualified AND financial members of FFA.

Step 4 - The Nationals is limited to 60 competitors.

If the Nationals is oversubscribed the final acceptances will be based on the officially published FFA rankings as at 30th June 2017.

Step 5: The organising committee will then post a notice of acceptance of entry nominations and a formal competitor list on the FFA website on or before 8th October this will include competitor groups seeded in accord with the ranking points and fish points.

Step 6: The group draw and random boat and beat allocation will be completed by 17th November by FFA independent members using the random draw program endorsed by the board and secured for distribution at the registration of members on Wednesday 29th November.

Notes to all participants

When you pay your entry fee or nominate as a volunteer this is accepted by the organising committee and Fly Fish Australia Incorporated that you are declaring that you have read and accept all the details and conditions of entry as set out in this document.

1. If you have any problems with the entry fee or proposed basis of running the competition you must resolve those issues prior to paying your entry fee. Once you pay your entry fee for the 2017 Nationals, via the online nomination system on the FFA website you agree to the entry fee and the basis of running of the Competition. No correspondence will be entered into once you pay your entry fee.
2. FFA maintains a current Amateur Sports Insurance Policy including Volunteers Insurance, Public Liability Insurance and Indemnity Insurance. A copy of the Certificate of Currency is available from the FFA website (homepage/resources/document). There are limits to the coverage afforded by this insurance and all participants are advised that they must ensure they have read the policy information on the website and that they have their own insurance coverage to protect them outside of the FFA insurance policy cover.
3. Studded wading boots must not be worn on boats or transport provided. Penalty: You will incur disqualification from the session and personal liability to repair any damage.
4. It is the competitors and controllers responsibility to check the FFA website for any updates - please report any errors or omissions to the Competition Organiser at .
5. All competitors are responsible for their own personal protection equipment including hats, sunblock, sunglasses, water etc.
6. Any changes relevant to the competition or its running will be posted of FFA website
7. In the event the competition is oversubscribed then anglers not offered a place will be refunded their entry fee.
8. An anglers place in the competition is ONLY confirmed once the formal declaration of the competitor list is announced by the organisers in the Notice of Acceptance of Entry Nominations.

Competitors entry fee and inclusions

The entry fee for competitors is as follows:

Competitor (over 25yrs) $350

Young Gun (18-25 yrs) $175

The competitor entry fee will include the following:

Light supper at Registration 29 November

Presentation dinner Saturday evening 2nd December

Contribution toward all controller and competition expenses

Please note that competitors who provide a boat for the competition will receive a refund of $100.

Competition Program

Wednesday / 29 November
5-6.30pm / Registration / Competition HQ
6:00pm / Light buffet style supper / Competition HQ
7pm-8pm / Competitor Briefing (Controllers welcome) / Competition HQ
Thursday / 30 November
From 6:00 am / Departure for Comp Sectors (TBA) / Competition HQ - travel in convoy
8am-11am / Session 1 - Competition / At Sector
11am-2.30pm / Changeover / Travel in convoy
2.30-5.30pm / Session 2 - Competition / At Sector
5.30-7pm / Return Travel / Return to HQ in convoy
Friday / 1 December
From 6:00am / Departure for Comp Sectors (TBA) / Competition HQ - travel in convoy
8am - 11am / Session 3 Competition / At Sector
11am - 2.30pm / Changeover / Travel in convoy
2.30 - 5.30pm / Session 4 Competition / At Sector
5.30-7pm / Return travel / Return to HQ in convoy
Saturday / 2 December
From 6:00am / Departure for Comp Sectors (TBA) / Competition HQ - travel in convoy
8am-11am / Session 5 Competition / At Sector
11am-2pm / Changeover / Travel in convoy
3pm-4.30pm / Annual General Meeting FFA / Competition HQ
6pm-12pm / Presentation Dinner - Buffet Style / Competition HQ
Sunday / 3 December
Departure

Competition sectors & group rotation

Sector / I / II / III / IV / V
Session / Time / Little Pine Lagoon / Penstock Lagoon / Woods Lake / Meander River / Mersey River
1 / Thurs am / A / B / C / D / E
2 / Thurs pm / E / A / B / C / D
3 / Fri am / D / E / A / B / C
4 / Fri pm / C / D / E / A / B
5 / Sat am / B / C / D / E / A

Seeding, teams and random draw

The Board of FFA has advised that in order to maintain angling equality between the groups all competitors will be seeded into their groups based on the ranking points carried into the competition and in accord with the ranking and seeding system published on the FFA website. State teams will no longer be nominated before the event. State team rankings will be determined by the top 5 ranked anglers from each state after the final round of competition. The random draw for group numbers and beat/boat numbers will be undertaken by members of the organising committee witnessed by Board Members of FFA and any other observers available. It is anticipated the random draw will be completed by 17th November and the draw secured for distribution on the night of registration.

Once the event briefing on Wednesday 29 November is complete the draw will be published and put on display outside the Miena Community Centre for public viewing. Individual draws will also be given to each competitor at the time of registration.

Registering for the Nationals

Entry Nominations Close Monday 1st October 2017

Entries received after this date will not be accepted. The entry fee is non-refundable (except for oversubscriptions as noted above).

Entry nominations can only be made via the online entry nomination system on the FFA website

You will need to have the following information ready in order to complete your entry nomination:

Personal details:

1. Name of Competitor
2. Contact Address
3. Contact Email
4. Contact Telephone Number
5. Shirt Size
6. Nominate if you can provide a boat for the competition (boats over 4m length fitted for competition)
7. Your Credit Card or PayPal details (you will be prompted to make the payment after providing your personal details

Accommodation

Competitors will need to make their own accommodation arrangements. Many competitors will have access to shacks and house accommodation around Miena. There is also accommodation available at Central Highlands Lodge and Great Lake Hotel.

All accommodation arrangements are the choice and responsibility of the Competitors. For those competitors that do not have access to shacks or houses in the Highlands, accommodation is available at Central Highlands Lodge or Great Lake Hotel.

Central Highlands Lodge

Address: 7795 Lakes Highway, Miena TAS 7030

Phone: (03) 62598179

Great Lake Hotel

Address: 3096 Marlborough Hwy, Miena TAS 7030

Phone: (03)62598163

Website:

Meal arrangements

Wednesday evening’s registration includes a light buffet style meal and the bar will be open. - Breakfast - Competitors responsibility

Dinner and Lunches - Competitors responsibility

Presentation Dinner - 3 course meal is part of the registration fee for competitors. Tickets to the presentation dinner for Controllers are part of the Controller Package.

Additional Presentation Dinner tickets may be purchased through Competition Organiser at $50 per ticket.

Please note that drinks are not included - drinks may be purchased at the bar.

LUNCHES

Lunches are the competitor’s responsibility. Shops which can provide lunches are close to or on the way to every competition venue.

Lunches can be pre-ordered for those staying at Central Highlands Lodge, Ph: 62598179

Lunches can also be preordered at Meander Store Ph: 63695215

Other lunch options on travel to Venues include:

Great Lake Store

JJ’s bakers Longford

Arthurs Lakes Store

Hidden Bakehouse Cressy

Competition session transport

All competitors are required to muster 10 minutes before departure times at the Competition Headquarters unless travel options have been preorganised. Private vehicles are to be utilised for transport to and from competition sectors. It is expected that upon formal announcement of groups those group members will arrange among themselves ‘car-pooling’. This practice is similar to last year’s Nationals and is aimed at keeping the competition costs down.

A similar arrangement will be made with Controllers however the nominated Chief Controller will coordinate Controller movements. That information will be disseminated in advance of the competition .

Passengers travelling in other competitors vehicles to sessions MUST each pay $10 per session to the owner of the vehicle to cover vehicle fuel and running costs.

To ensure that nobody is left behind passengers travelling in other competitors vehicles MUST come back to the same vehicle.

For any competitors concerned that they do not have transport please contact John Fordham.( )

Shirts

Competition shirts will be available in a style to be advised.

If you want to purchase additional shirts or pay for meal packages for others accompanying you to the nationals that are not competing or controlling please email Mark Youngman () with your requirements.

Competition Shirts $80 each (embroidered for 2017 National Championships)

Shirts are available to any participant. Competitor orders are placed online as part of the entry nomination process. Controller orders are placed through the Controller Nomination Form.

Additional shirts may be ordered by emailing the Competition Organiser.

Size range S/M/L/XL/2XL/3XL/4XL/5XL

Fishing licences

All competitors are required to hold a valid Inland Fisheries Service recreational fishing licence.

Score sheets and Results

Minimum size for this competition is 20cm and all fish 20cm or longer MUST be recorded on the score sheet to the nearest millimetre.

All score sheets are to be handed to sector controllers within half an hour of completion of sessions. Score sheets must be handed even if you blank a session.

A blank will be equal to the number of competitors in the largest group.

Eligible species brown and rainbow trout at 200mm minimum size ,the inclusion of Native Grayling as they are present in the Mersey River also at 200mm minimum size.

Practice waters and closure of competition sectors

River competition sectors will be closed to competitors and their agents from and including Thursday 16 November 2017.

Lake competition venues will be closed to competitors and their agents from and including Thursday 23 November.

All waters outside competition nominated areas are still available for practice.

All the river sectors are primarily accessible through private grazing properties. It is incumbent upon everyone to respect the landowners and the fact they are allowing us to gain access to competition waters through their land. Please do not pester landowners as any untoward conduct may jeopardise our future use of those properties. A number of landowner arrangements have been coordinated to ensure the safe management of the fishery and the property. The Competition Organising Committee is not making these properties available for anglers to fish prior to the competition. Anglers need to please respect our arrangements with private landowners and arrange to practice at locations on the rivers which are not intrusive on landowners.

Once the competition river beats are determined the competition organisers will provide maps which will detail practice and competition water for the rivers. This will be done before the waters close to practice so there will be no confusion.

The organising committee reserves the right to vary these sectors should it become necessary. Any changes will be notified on the FFA website.

Competition sectors

There will be a coordinating controller (sector judge) at each Sector.

LAKE SECTORS

Competitors on the lake venues will control each other. Competitors must abide by TAS boating rules when fishing from boats in TAS including the use of approved buoyancy vests. Speed limits apply to all lakes and must be followed. We caution all boatmen on all lakes to be wary of under surface obstructions such as tree trunks and rocks. Competitors are responsible for supplying their own buoyancy vest and nets. Boats will undergo a safety check prior to the competition - please ensure you have all the requisite safety equipment in your boats.

There will be a safety boat/spare boat at each boat sector.

RIVER SECTORS

Competitors will have marked beats and a dedicated controller on their river venue. Buoyancy vests are not a mandatory requirement, but please be aware that all TAS rivers can be treacherous under foot. Controllers are not required to carry any additional equipment such as made up rods, so please do not burden them with this responsibility.

Competition boats

Competitors who provide boats for use in the competition will be refunded $100 at the conclusion of the competition. Competitors who are willing to provide boats will be contacted after entry nominations close to make all necessary arrangements for the proper management and security of boats. Boats should be at least 4 metres in length (without electric motors) and fully fitted for competition (including drogue) use and meet the TAS Maritime safety regulations.

Competitors are to provide their own landing nets and safety vest.

Protest resolution procedures

Please note that all protest about the running, management or performance of individuals will be managed in accordance with the Protest Resolution Procedures documented on the FFA website.

Annual General Meeting

Please note the Annual General Meeting of Fly Fish Australia Incorporated is to be held on Saturday afternoon. It is expected that all members of FFA attending the Nationals will participate in the AGM. Formal notice and details of the AGM will be sent to members by the National Secretary of FFA under separate cover.

Controllers

Around 30 controllers will be needed for the event and the Board of FFA and the event organisers encourage all those members of FFA not participating in the competition to nominate as a controller. Non-members of FFA are also welcome to become part of the championships and nominate as a controller. An attractive controller package is being offered. Acceptances will generally be on a first come first served basis.

Those wishing to be controllers can download the ‘Controller Nomination Form’ from the FFA website or through this link. Nomination forms can either be emailed or posted to the competition organiser as follows:

By email to John Fordam: or

By post to: Competition Organiser, FFA 2017 Nationals, PO Box 419, Moonah Tas 7009