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Remarkable craftmanship at the first NZ open fly tying competition

Monday 24 March 2008, 8:46AM

By NZ Fishing

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10-year old Jacob Bond receives congratulations and a cap for his excellent fly-tying
10-year old Jacob Bond receives congratulations and a cap for his excellent fly-tying Credit: NZ Fishing
The Finnish team members who took first and third places in the NZ National Open Fly Tying Champs: Jarkko Suominen (holding the shield) and Janne Pirkkalainen
The Finnish team members who took first and third places in the NZ National Open Fly Tying Champs: Jarkko Suominen (holding the shield) and Janne Pirkkalainen Credit: NZ Fishing
Winner of the inaugural NZ National Open Fly Tying Champs, Jarkko Suominen of Finland (left), with Nate Jarvis, General Manager of Feather Merchants.
Winner of the inaugural NZ National Open Fly Tying Champs, Jarkko Suominen of Finland (left), with Nate Jarvis, General Manager of Feather Merchants. Credit: NZ Fishing

ROTORUA

The youngest competitor won a special commendation for his remarkable fly-tying skills at the inaugural New Zealand National Open Feather Merchants Fly Tying Championship in Rotorua yesterday.

Ten-year old Jacob Bond from Lake Rotoma, a passionate fly fisher, has been tying flies for just a year.

“For a 10-year old boy to tie flies like this is phenomenal, I was hugely impressed because not only did the flies look good, they would certainly catch fish”, said Nate Jarvis, General Manager of Feather Merchants who provided the prizes.

Jacob’s parents were also pleased with their bottle of Trout Valley wine, a merit award received by all entrants.

Though some New Zealanders travelled to Rotorua especially for the competition, the three main place-getters were all from the Finnish and Italian fly fishing teams who are currently in Rotorua for the World Fly Fishing Championships.

Mr Jarvis commented that though the competitors were all tying the same standard patterns, every country had a slightly different take on them.

Fishing writer Doug Stevens from nzfishing.com observed “I was struck by the quality and craftsmanship that people put into this aspect of the sport”

The overall winner was Jarkko Suominen of Finland, while his team mate Janne Pirkkalainen was third. The second place-getter, from Italy was Sando Soldarini.

The event which was open to the public, was so successful, it will now be run annually in conjunction with the New Zealand National Fly Fishing Champs. 


For more information on the NZ fly tying champs:

http://www.2008worldflyfishingchamps.com/index.cfm/pageid/40/ViewPage/NZ%2BNational%2BOpen%2BFeather%2BMerchants%2BFly%2BTying%2BChampionship  


For more information on the World Fly Fishing champs: 

28th Fips-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships, 2008

www.2008worldflyfishingchamps.com