How Fly Fishing is Helping Supply Water to People in the Developing World.

Just take a second to consider life without clean, safe, available water. Clean water is essential for life.  With it we live, laugh, celebrate and cry.  Safe water is a necessity not a luxury, but over a billion people in the world do not have it. Without it we die. And thousands do every day.

WaterAid is the UK's only major charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene promotion to the world's poorest people.  WaterAid's vision is of a world where all people have access to safe water and effective sanitation. The majority of UK water companies are very active in supporting fundraising for Water Aid and in the last nine years, Anglian Water employees, customers, business partners and the community have raised over £1.5m for WaterAid.  This has made a lasting difference to some 140,000 people. The charity focuses on the local communities and authorities, helping them develop whilst involving them closely in the projects to ensure they are sustainable, helping people to help themselves.

Last year Anglian Water employees teamed up with the charity WaterAid to organise a Fly Fishing Challenge at Rutland Water with the aim of raising some money. The event was a great success and raised £6,700. On the back of that success the anglianwater WaterAid Fly Fishing Challenge 2003 was held and raised a further £7,790.

A typical WaterAid installation providing safe, clean and accessible water to a village in southern India.

awWAFFiC 2003 attracted 80 anglers from supporting companies and organisations from around the UK. Novices and first time fly anglers have been encouraged in the event with free courses being offered for entrants at the Anglian Water reservoirs. Tuition and tackle was also provided on the day by Anglian Water supported by local Fly Fishing club, Rutland Water Fly Fishers. Over 40% of the entrants this year were novices or first timers. Although there is a competitive edge to the challenge with trophies for teams and individuals, including the annual team shield sponsored by May Gurney, the event has naturally developed into an enjoyable, friendly day where novices and first time fly fishers have the opportunity of experiencing the thrill of catching a trout on the fly. It is hoped that the event will introduce many more people to Fly Fishing.

The 20 teams that took part caught 128 fish with an average weight of 1lb 14oz and rod average of 1.66, which was very good considering the high number of first time Fly Fishers. Many of the boats headed for the main bowl and dam areas of the reservoir with some making for the top of the north and south arms in search of quality over wintered fish. Fish were found feeding mainly on the surface and this provided some exciting fishing for all, especially the beginners. Best methods were mainly small flies (Diawl Bachs, CDC Buzzers and Mini Lures) fished quickly in the top six inches of water on floating lines.

The event was rounded off by an excellent meal served at the Waterside Café Bar above the fishing lodge with trophies presented by Anglian Water Chief Executive, Roy Pointer and a Raffle drawn by Alan Machin, Head of Regional and Community Fundraising for the WaterAid charity.

The WaterAid/May Gurney Trophy Shield went to winning team Biwater/Morgan Est partnership; Mark Froggatt, Jo Burrows, David Morris and Alistair Beaumont with 20 fish for 36lb 2oz. Runner-up team was AWG PMS; Gary Young, Simon Pritchett, Ian Strudwick, Adrian Strudwick with 17 fish for 31lb 12oz. The best individual was David Morris (Biwater/Morgan Est) with 8 fish for 15 lb 6oz. David also caught the largest fish, a 3 lb Rainbow.

The winning team, Biwater & Morgan Est (from left to right) Alistair Beaumont, Mark Froggatt, Joe Burrows, David Morris

Some of the Winners; from the left Alan Machin (WaterAid), second team (Front Row) AWG PMS; Ian Strudwick, Adrian Strudwick, Gary Young, Simon Pritchett, Third Team (Back Row) Tech Group Fly Fishers; David Knapp, Richard Slaughter, Paul Woods, Joff Edevane, Roy Pointer (Anglian Water Chief Executive), Runner-up Beginner Caroline Norledge, AW Telemetry 1 (Centre).

The best individual beginner was Kim Randles (ENSR Eagles) with 4 fish for 7lb 15oz. The trophy for the largest fish caught by a beginner went to Allan Jones (Fly by Nights (Tyco-Controls)) with a Rainbow of 2lb 15oz.

This years event trophies were sponsored by; Amec, Barhale, Interserve, Laing, LES, May Gurney, Thyssen, Turner & Townsend, Tyco and Vexamus.

Other Sponsors were; Abic, Aford Trophies, Atkins, Avenue Angling, Barhale, Biwater, Dodds, Jefco, Leeda, Morgan Est, Peterborough Pump & Valves, Shakespeare, Trout Fisherman and Tyco.

The organisers would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to all those who have contributed to the event this year. Based on the success of the last 2 years the event is being run again next year on the 25^th June. If you or your company are interested in entering a team or sponsoring the event next year, please e-mail Chris Evans at cevans@anglianwater.co.uk. Team entries of either two or four are invited at a cost of £200 and £300.

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