CONTEST RULES
"Some Do's & Dont's"
This contest is conducted on a no charge or fee basis to the contestants. There are no registration or advance fees of any kind to participate in any Qualifying Contest except for general admission fees that may be charged by a Show or Event where a contest is being held.
The contest is open to all boys and girls from 10 to 17 years of age. No prior fly casting or fly fishing experience is required to be a contestant in this contest.
All contestants must be accompanied at all Event proceedings and competitions by their parent or legal guardian.. NO EXCEPTIONS made unless written permission from the Parent or Legal guardian is provided to the Contest Organizers.
The contest is arranged by the following age groups 10 to 12 year olds. 13 to 15 year olds and 16 to 17 year olds.
There will be a contest winner from each of these age groups that have at least 2 children from that age group participating.
In a circumstance that only 1 child is present as a competitor in any age group at any Event, than that child will be the automatic winner of his age groups competition and will be awarded that Title and any prizes attached to it.
Any child that is the only one present in their age group at a Qualfying Contest may also elect to compete with the next higher age group if they would like to and might be able to win that Title as well. Such a contestant will NOT be able to compete against any age group that is younger than their correct age group.
Contest officials may give an age waiver to children under 10 years old that are familiar with fly casting and have had some prior experience with it. Such age waivers are completly at the discretion of the contest officials and in NO way are mandatory to be extended to any contestant under the age of 10
All Participants that do not have their own gear will be furnished with a complete fly casting outfit for their use in the competition at NO Charge to them.
During Qualifier Events most fly rods from 4 wt. to 6 wt. can be used during the casting competitons.
Judges do have the right to reject any rod or equipment they feel is not within proper guidelines for this contest.
During Semi-Final Events Only 9-foot, 6-weight standard production rods can be used during the casting competitons. All rods will be inspected at registration for manufacturer line ratings... NO custom made rods can be used in Semi-Finals or Final Competitions.
Participants may provide their own equipment if it is inspected and approved by the tournament judges.
Tournament officials reserve the right to disqualify any equipment provided by a contestant for any reason they choose to. In that case an outfit will be provided to the contestant by the Contest management.
All casting in the Semi-Finals will be done with an 6 weight forward floating line. Lines cannot be marked in anyway that would indicate distance or fastened to the reel with less than 100 feet of fly line
All casting in the Finals will be done with a 9' fly rod and an 8 weight forward floating line. Lines cannot be marked in anyway that would indicate distance or fastened to the reel with less than 100 feet of fly line
All leaders for the competition will be 7-foot, 3X tapered leaders, and will be issued to each child upon registration
Flies used in the casting competition will be no larger than a #6 pattern, and will be a brightly colored visible dry fly. Flies will be provided to each competitor upon registration
Lost flies can be replaced only with the approval of a contest judge.
A combination of casts and skills will be combined for a final score. The casting contest is composed of the following components: distance, accuracy and time factors.
All participants in Regional Qualifiers are solely responsible for all costs and expenses of transportation and lodging associated with their participation in the regional qualifiers.
Transportation to any contest venue and hotel accomodations will NOT be provided by the organizers of this contest.. However the Organizers will assist in any local fund raising activities to send a State Champion to the Finals in Florida. Finalists are responsible for all other costs and expenses associated with their participation in Florida.
ADDITIONAL RULES MAY BE ADDED AT ANY TIME AS DETERMINED BY THE EVENT MANAGEMENT
