Fly Fishing For Young Minds...The Fly Fishing Triathlon

Three fly fishing disciplines, 12 hours, 115 miles and one angler. England youth international Ben Fox takes us on an epic challenge to raise money for Young Minds.

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Okay I am from Yorkshire but I’m no Brownlee brother, so my triathlon had to be based around something slightly less strenuous but, of course, in no way easier. I decided to target three venues that I know so well in less than 12 hours and try and tempt as many fish from each as possible. Could I do it? Would the fish cooperate? This was to be a fly fishing challenge that would test even the top anglers in the country, so a careful plan was drawn up, with the venues chosen and a time allocation given to each one, with travel time also taken into account. With the plan in place I was off to my first venue.

Bank First…

Kilnsey Park, set in stunning surroundings under Kilnsey Crag in the Yorkshire Dales, was the venue for my first leg, and what a place to start. It has a special place in my heart, being the first venue I chucked some fluff into, which was obligingly taken by my first-ever trout. It is simply a stunning place offering some of the best small still water fishing there is. I had four hours to spend fishing here and with bright blustery conditions and a wind that couldn’t decide which way to blow, things didn’t look like they would be easy.

Kilnsey Park had very kindly sponsored me per pound of fish I caught – £2.50 per pound, with every fish counted as 3lb unless it was weighed – a lovely gesture that has gone a long way towards my total.

With the promise of extra money for Young Minds I decided it best to approach Kilnsey like I would a bank match. I set up three rods to cover every possible situation. One with a clear intermediate line, an olive worm on the point and a Cat’s Whisker on the dropper. The next on a midge tip with a pink FAB on the point and two size 12 nymphs on the droppers (black Diawl Bach and a UV Cruncher). My final rod was set up with a bung, red Squirmy Wormy on the point and a size 12 Black Buzzer on the dropper.