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A look back at sports: Cast of Tournament Fishermen Just Blowing in the Wind

Barry Lewis
Posted 8/24/20

Published August 25, 1987

LIVINGSTON MANOR - When done properly, casting can be a thing of beauty, as the line makes a rainbow arc into the water. When done with swirling winds coming at you in …

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A look back at sports: Cast of Tournament Fishermen Just Blowing in the Wind

Posted

Published August 25, 1987

LIVINGSTON MANOR - When done properly, casting can be a thing of beauty, as the line makes a rainbow arc into the water. When done with swirling winds coming at you in every direction, casting can be slow, blood boiling torture.

“It was fun for a little while because it was so crazy,” said an exhausted Ricker Winsor, who had just finished his battle with Mother Nature in the Bass Bug Accuracy division of the 2nd annual Casting Tournament. Sponsored and held here on the Pond Area of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center, 10 fisherman tried their luck in four different areas which tested their casting skills.

The other divisions were the Dry Fly Accuracy, Trout Fly Accuracy and the Angler's Fly Distance, which unlike the other events which tested the skill of hitting a target in the water, was judged by the distance of the cast.

With the wind at his back, John Helbe, of Pennsylvania, set a new tournament record with a cast of 143 feet; 22 feet longer than the attempt last year. Helbe averaged 139.1 feet for his five tries.

But the big winner of the day was John Borden of Liberty, who finishing first in the Dry Fly and Trout Fly divisions, while finished second to Helbe in the distance event.

“We didn't award trophies, but if an all-around winner had to be named, it certainly would have been John, said tournament organizer Joan Wulff. “He showed an all-around effort, especially considering how dramatic the wind made things. I had to fight from being pushed into the water.”

Even Joan's husband, Lee Wulff, considered one of the finest casters, had his share of difficulty trying to compensate for the weather. “I was about to cast when suddenly the winds came. I went one way and my line went the other.”

Added Winsor, “It was a lot of fun if you enjoy pain.”

But no one was about to toss in their rods and head for home. “The worst thing that the guys did was grit their teeth. No one stomped their feet, cursed or quit,” said Joan.

For George Holz, who made the trip up from New York City, the day proved to be a true learning experience. “I've casted before, but never in any tournaments. The wind hurt me, plus being left handed didn't make things any easier. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what she (Joan) told me. Maybe she was just trying to make me feel better.”

“I felt like a mother with a brood,” laughed Joan. “For years I had competed in tournaments, but never ran one. Here I was just working with the guys, trying to offer whatever advice I could. You really have to compensate, because throwing and hoping never really works.”

The day also included a Fisherman's Flea Market, with several fly tiers around to offer advice on some of the best ways to improve your bug.

Joan says that one suggestion for next year might be to have an unrestricted distance event, allowing for the use of heavier fly line. Also being considered down the line is a plug and spinning event.

Some fishermen, looking a little bleak, also suggested the building of a removeable dome for days where the wind seems to be biting more than the fish.

Casting Tournament

Champions

Dry Fly Accuracy

John Borden, Liberty 85 pts.

John Helbe, PA 81 pts.

Lee Wulff, Lew Beach 81 pts.

Bass Bug Accuracy

Floyd Franke, Roscoe 79 pts.

Bob McKay, Jeff. 77 pts.

Rick Winsor, Neversink 77 pts.

Trout Fly Accuracy

John Borden, Liberty 88 pts.

Bob McKay, Jeff 81 pts.

Floyd Franke, Roscoe 78 pts.

Angler's Fly Distance

John Helbe, PA 139.1 ft avg.

John Borden, Liberty 119.1 ft avg.

Rick Winsor, Neversink 118 ft avg.

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