The regional qualifying round of the Rivers competition that ultimately decides who will represent England in International events was held on the 14^th May at Fingle Bridge on the River Teign. The Peninsula Federation organizes this annual event and was open to anglers from all over the country.

The conditions were very similar to last year and the anglers found the fishing quite difficult,  due again to the low water condition, however there was some exceptionally skilled anglers competing. Two anglers in particular, John Tyzack from Stockport in Cheshire who has won the National Championship 5 times and local angler Lewis Hendrie. Lewis is a former Youth International who has recently been competing at senior level both showed why they are so good by catching double the amount of fish of their nearest rivals.

The quality of fishing on the River Teign, which is a part of the Upper Teign Association water, is outstanding with 135 measurable fish in difficult circumstances, up to 32cm, being caught; each fish is measured and then returned carefully to the water. The details of the size of the fish are then recorded by an independent controller, points being awarded for each fish and the overall length of the fish, these points are then totaled up at the end of the competition.

The winner of the Snowbee Perpetual trophy was local angler Lewis Hendrie, who caught 19 trout in only 3^1/2 hours of fishing.  The top anglers will now go on to the National Final to be held at Llangollen on the Dee in August where the top 5 anglers will represent England.

Snowbee UK Ltd again provided  sponsorship for the competition with prizes and the perpetual trophy and the Sales and Marketing Manager Simon Kidd competed and caught the longest fish, a 32cm beautifully conditioned Brown Trout also finishing 2^nd postion in the afternoon session.

Below: Winner  Lewis Hendrie from Exford, near Tiverton, with the Snowbee Perpetual Trophy and the prizes presented by Snowbee UK. Lewis caught his fish by using 2 small ‘nymphs’ and letting the current drift them along, he also used a single dry fly when the fish were particularly difficult.

All of the qualifiers.