England National Finals 2006

Well here we go again! Grafham was chosen for this year’s National Championship and England Qualifier. 
As soon as the 2006 season had started I took every opportunity to fish at the venue.  Whatever the weather, whatever the time of year. Also with as many people who would spend some time with me. Its so good to know that there is a growing number of ladies and experienced men who are prepared to give time and knowledge to others who love the sport. Thank you to my mate Kate, bless you, enough said! Carl Peers my mixed pairs partner, Jayne and Sean, Sue and Paul, Mark Andrews my confidence booster and Steve Newsome the Blob Man.

Wendy Miller
2006 Champion

Grafham is a great venue; it offers so much for the fly fisher. You can experience a wonderful day one weekend, and the next!!  I arranged to fish with Carl one day, left home a two-hour drive away in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops. Parked in the fisherman’s car park only to get drenched and blown off my feet. Went into the shop to be told there was little chance of a boat going out.  So what do you do? A full breakfast watching the weather and all the other friends arrive to find us sheltering in the dry. What a shame, but Rutland and Eyebrook were the same. After a good chinwag we all went off home feeling frustrated.  I had a feeling of great disappointment at having lost a chance to practice, but got home and determined not to waste the rest of the day got three years of fly fishing magazines out. Rooting around for all the Grafham articles I could find.
 

 
The day loomed and we were all praying for good weather. Competitors had been practising for weeks and the conditions were varied. On official practice day it was fine and bright with a light SSE wind there seemed to be a few hot spots but it was a good day.

National Day and the weather had changed. The wind was up and had moved round about 40 degrees to easterly. Early on it was obvious that the fishing was not going to be the same as practice day. I just prayed I had a fish in the boat early. The plan was head for E buoy, but with the wind change it had to be off the seat drifting to E buoy.
Third cast and I got smashed off, point and dropper gone! 
Well, Mark Andrews did the same first cast on practice day with me in the same spot, so I was imitating the best. Set up again and got my first fish. YES.
After a time we moved to G buoy, lots of boats, got wet on the way across it was not nice conditions. You had to hold on tight. Boatman Leigh Pond got us there and we could see fish on others rods. Follow after follow, but no hook-ups. 
Julie my boat partner was in her first National and unfortunately became very damp as the wind and waves were coming over the boat on the way north.
Drifted a few times behind the tower and had a fish on. Played it for a few seconds, but it snapped off again!! Argh. I changed my leader and fly line, fish on. It’s in the bag. This is getting frustrating; we could see non-competition boats catching fish but not me or Julie. We moved to the mouth of Savages for a long drift onto the tower, but nothing. Time was getting on, so needed to do something drastic. Headed back to the lodge and started drifts 100 yards off W buoy and changed to a slime line. Cast out, counted to 20 then stripped like crazy, first cast, and bang! Nice fish in the bag, can’t believe it, it worked. Just keep going, cast, count, and strip. Cast, count, strip and bang, another fish. 
Time is up, back to the jetty feeling pleased but not confident. I had a brilliant day, looking forward to the weigh in. Two people told me I had made the team, but I would not believe it, not till I was called out and had that trophy in my hands.
The meal was served and the presentation began, time for the results.
Name after name. First Wendy Miller. Fantastic! Margi Godwin. Sue Hunter. Eileen Chatwin. Sue Shaw. Martha Thompson. Jane Percy. Eighth place Sheena Goode.

I only did it!! 
Thank you, Grafham. To all the staff, supporters and Boatman. We could not hold this event without you.

Sheena Goode