JACK SELECTED TO FISH FOR ENGLAND – AGAIN!
Jack Blakey, Year 9 student at Richmond School, has recently been selected as a member of the England Youth Fly Fishing Team and this year will fish for England for a fourth time.
Jack’s dad Stewart said: “Jack will fish the international event this year in Scotland on the Lake of Menteith. The team will arrive at the hotel near Aberfoyle on Sunday 27th July. Monday and Tuesday will be practice days, with the big international final on Wednesday, between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
“He’s previously fished in Ireland, Wales and England, though has never been part of a winning team – yet! He’s very excited to have been selected and is looking forward to practising hard for it.”
In the months leading up to the competition, Jack has a number of intensive training trips with the team. These sessions can be bank fishing where the team manager can scrutinise the anglers carefully to determine how they’re fishing and what equipment they’re using. The size of the flies is especially important – they have to fit inside an international gauge exactly fifteen sixteenths of an inch long! The team will also have boat fishing training sessions – the same format as will be used for the competition.
The training trips are approximately monthly from March at Grafham Water, Rutland Water, Pitsford Water, back to Grafham Water, then the big international at the Lake of Menteith.
As well as Jack’s success on the water, he has also been recognised for his other contributions to the team. Tracey, Jack’s mum, gives us a bit more detail: “Jack has been doing quite a bit of fundraising for the team throughout the year. He has organised raffles for items donated by businesses, for example a set of flies, a jacket and a radio. He’s also done a number draw and had a donation box at Jubilee Lake Fly Fishery where customers kindly donated.
As you can see by one of the photos, Jack was awarded the Matt Clark Memorial Trophy at the Internation Dinner last year because of his fundraising. The trophy was presented by the team captain, Michael Ewing. It’s an award in memory of an England Youth parent, Matt Clarke, who sadly lost his life last year.
As you can also see from the photos, the team are always very well presented at the dinners they attend, especially with their trout ties and previously-won medals!
We are very proud, as are all our family, that Jack is in the England Youth fly fishing team for the fourth year running. We can’t wait to see how he and the England team perform in Scotland in July!”
We wish Jack all the best and look forward to hearing how the big international competition goes – watch this space!
Jack is sponsored by Flash Attack Flies, which is run by Craig Barr, who is also one of the team managers. The team have significant outgoings in terms of travel costs, event entries and equipment, but receive no official funding. As you can tell by Jack’s efforts, everyone is responsible for fundraising to keep the team going. If you would like to donate, please go to the link below: