NEWS & STORIES
PHWFF NorCal 2-Pattern Event
The PHWFF Redding Program’s fourth annual 2-Pattern tournament on April 14th and 15th proved to be the most successful to date. The fundraiser continues to raise awareness in our community about our program but also provides funds for additional fly fishing equipment and opportunities for our participants to fish accessible venues throughout the Redding area.
The two-day event started with a mixer that included a silent and live auction and an opportunity for participants, sponsors and guides to meet and to discuss flies and strategies for the tournament the following day. Catering for the mixer as well breakfast, lunch and the awards dinner on day two was provided by The Best Little Sandwich Shop, a veteran-owned Redding business that has been a welcomed partner for the past three years.
The fly fishing tournament was held on Sunday on the Lower Sacramento River, one of the premier trout fishing rivers in northern California. Tournament rules require the use of only two fly patterns throughout the drift period. Starting with the first flight at 7:30 am, a total of seventeen boats drifted the river in three flights each with a guide/referee, sponsor and a participant. Guides/referees for the event, coordinated through the Redding Fly Shop, have donated their boats and time each year to help with the fundraising effort. Despite the rain that threatened the tournament for most of the day and a burst of a good shower in the afternoon hour, most anglers caught fish, some in quantities that earned the award for most measured first inches. The largest fish was a 24” rainbow caught by a participant using a size 18 blue winged olive nymph.
An awards dinner followed the Sunday drift to recognize tournament winners as well as sponsors, participants and volunteers who helped with the fundraiser. A special thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and participants who have made the event such a success and which allows us to continue our support for our local program and participants.
