John Watts Competition
The John Watts Competition is a fishing competition for members of the Guild and is held at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. The event is held every year on the Saturday before the August Bank Holiday Monday. The competition is a boat competition and is contested by teams of 4 members. The winning team receive the John Watts Trophy and the runners up receive the Falkirk Shield.
The 2012 John Watts competition is on Saturday 25th August 2012.
Information for John Watts 2012 Competition
Information for next years competition can be downloaded from here nearer thet ime
John Watts Competition 2011 Results
London A reclaim top spot and Neil Thomas completes a unique treble as Top Rod
Once again the weather looked as though it would be a typical John Watts day. At the start the sky was overcast and had promise of rain . As usual from the start their was a race to go down lake towards G bouy although some boats started an early drift off the Yacht club. Then surprise surprise we stated to get sunny spells. However this was the sign for some very severe squalls to come sweeping in from the north west producing significant 'White caps'. The sunshine continued for most of the day but it never really warmed-up and conditions remained tough for for most of the competitors which resulted in several blanks.
The weigh-in was nail biting affair with London A just beating Ayr Travellers by 1 fish. However the most remarkable result was Neil Thomas of Congleton winning the Top Rod for the third successive year. A unique achievement. Many congratulations Neil. He has promised to write an article for Flydresser on his flies and how to use them.
John Watts presented the prizes at post contest buffet.
Results of the John Watts Trophy
Grafham Water
Sat 27th August 2011
|
Position
|
Team
|
No of Fish
|
Total weight
|
|
|
lbs
|
ozs
|
|||
|
1
|
London A
|
17
|
40
|
1
|
|
2
|
Ayr Travellers
|
16
|
35
|
0
|
|
3
|
North Kent
|
12
|
26
|
7
|
|
4
|
Congleton
|
11
|
24
|
7
|
|
5
|
South Cumbria A
|
10
|
20
|
11
|
|
6
|
South Cumbria B
|
8
|
19
|
5
|
|
7
|
Sussex
|
8
|
18
|
13
|
|
8
|
Swale A
|
8
|
15
|
12
|
|
9
|
Wilts Chalk Stream
|
5
|
12
|
3
|
|
10
|
Chilterns
|
5
|
9
|
10
|
|
11
|
Swale B
|
3
|
7
|
13
|
Total Number of Fish Retained 91
Total Number of Fish Released 12
Total Number of Fish Caught 103
Rod Average 1.72
Best Fish 4lb 9oz Dave Preece of South Cumbria A
Top Rod 7 fish for a weight of 15lb 5oz Neil Thomas of Congleton
