A TEAM of five Isle of Man anglers is preparing to fly out to Tasmania to compete in the 2012 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships to be held in February.

The team will be based in the City of Launceston which is set within the lakes and rivers of Central Tasmania, and will compete over four days of intense competition against 15 other teams from around the Commonwealth including England, Scotland, Canada, New Zealand and reigning champions Australia. 

The Isle of Man team consists of Geoff Thomas (captain), Gordon Simpson, Graham Norman, Michael Watterson, and Chris Sharples and will fly out of the Island on February 1.

Once in Tasmania the team will move to the Great Lakes  area and have six days to familiarise themselves with the various flies and techniques used to attract and catch trout in the lakes and rivers of Tasmania. 

The competition is a catch-and-release event where the fish are measured and returned to the water unharmed. The use of barbless hooks is mandatory.

During this practice period the team won’t be able to fish any of the competition sectors used for the event which takes place between February 14 and 19.

The team would like to thank “Trout Lodge Isle of Man” who very generously provided sponsorship to them to help with some of the costs incurred in competing in this prestigious event

Around 85 kgs of equipment is being sent out by carrier to Tasmania by the team who were struggling to meet the baggage allowances set by the airlines. 

Team member Chris Sharples said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will be waiting for us on our arrival in Tasmania as it contains most of our fishing equipment and wading gear.”