The 3rd Annual "Pet Fly Smackdown"
Steelhead Storm, 2005

Smackdown Date - Dec. 2nd, 2005 - Prefish
Dec. 3rd, 2004 - SMACKDOWN
Dec. 4th, 2004 - Postfish
Smackdown Location - We will start and finish tentatively at Folley's End Campground on the shores of Elk Creek. 2 Miles SOUTH of Rt. 90 at exit 16.
Lodging - Camp at Foley's, Best Western a couple miles away, Green Roof Inn, Super 8 in North East, PA etc....

About the tournament:

The Pet Fly Smackdown all seems to have started with MP's Tucker Nymph, a fly which has proven itself very effective in a wide variety of angling situations. The Tucker Nymph is primarily composed of underfur from a Domestic Longhair Cat named Tucker. After expounded on the virtues of this material for its ease of dubbing and it's seemingly aphrodisiatic qualities in getting the bite, other fly tiers came forward with their "secret flies" which were composed of similar materials; hair or feathers derived from a household pet. Some heated debate ensued over who's "Pet Hair Fly" was truly the best, and thus the "Pet Fly Smackdown" was born, inspired by the famous Ausable Two Fly. Based on good-natured fun between angling friends, this is no official tournament, but rather simply a way to test one's creations against those of peers and have a little fun (or a lot of fun) doing it. Participation is open to all, and liability / responsibility fall upon the any angler who is participating. There is no organization to sue anyways, so don't even bother trying.

"Pet Fly Smackdown" Rules:

  1. The PET FLY - The fly in question can be any type or size, but must incorporate a pet-sourced material a main portion of the pattern, i.e. body as dubbed pet hair. If your pets are avian in nature, then feathered portions of the fly constructed with feathers from a pet bird are also permissible. Pet is defined as any domesticated or captive animal living within the same dwelling as humans (examples are Cats, Dogs, Ferrets, Hamsters, Gerbils, Parakeets, Finches, Macaws, etc..). Remember, your fly may consist of other non-pet materials in addition to the pet-sourced material. However, the pet-sourced material should be a main or majority component of the overall pattern.

    Any fly consisting of materials gathered from HUMAN sources is strictly forbidden (it's just disgusting)! Each participant will use one pattern for this event. If you have multiple patterns you'd like to fish in this competition, you will need a teammate to fish it (see #4 - "Teams"). A PATTERN is defined as one specific combination of materials and colors in any size. "Variations" of the pattern (i.e. Pink Bead Head instead of Gold) are considered DISTINCT patterns and will require separate entries / anglers to fish them.

  2. Fishing Methods, Restrictions & General Fly Definition - All participants over the age of 10 will utilize fly gear. Any normally recognized fly fishing technique may be employed. The fly can be fished with or without weight. However, the fly cannot be a "jig" (cast lead head) or any other lure. Flies tied with propellers, lead eyes and/or rattles may be used, however traditional spinners are not permissible. BAIT, in ANY FORM, may not be used as an enhancement to the pet fly. Participants under the age of 10 may fish bait on the same rig as the contest fly provided the bait is set at least 12" apart from the fly, and all fish landed on bait are obviously not scored in the participant's catch. This bait provision is simply included for the enjoyment of our younger participants.

  3. Material Source - The Pet Fur can be sourced from any pet owned by you, your friends or family but may only be harvested in a way which is not detrimental to the health or appearance of the animal (i.e. no shaving the cat, but combing out the hair as would happen with normal grooming is fine, no plucking of feathers from a bird, only naturally shed feathers). PETA is happy now :)

  4. Pattern Entry , Teams and Participants who don't tie (or don't have pets!) - Each participant may only fish and score ONE pattern (if you get bored and switch to another pattern, that's fine, but you can't score any fish caught as part of your competition total). You must tie your own pet hair flies or join on a team.
    1. Prior to the start of the derby, all participants will "enter" the pattern they are fishing, as well as the team they are part of (if joining a team).
    2. Individuals who tie their own pattern may compete individually or can become the captain of a team and solicit for additional anglers to fish as a portion of their team. If you enter only one pattern and form a team, all members will fish the same pattern.
    3. Individuals who create more than one pet hair pattern can only personally fish ONE PATTERN throughout the competition, and as a team captain must solicit for teammates who can fish their any additional pattern(s) that the tier wishes to enter in the tournament. One teammate is required for each additional pattern to be fished.
    4. Individual who wish to participate in this event but do not tie are encouraged to seek out and join a team. If you cannot find a team to join but require one in order to participate, you will be randomly assigned to an existing team.
    5. Team Scoring - Individual scores can remain separate in any instance at the discretion of the Team Captain. Alternately, if all team members are fishing the same "Pet Fly Pattern", the team can opt to take the average of all team scores (this final decision to take the Team Average is again at the discretion of the Team Captain). Should a team captain opt to take the average score, the distribution of prizes amoung the team is at the discretion of the Team Captain.

  5. Entry Fee & Prize - each participant must submit two (2) "Pet Hair Flies" of the pattern being fished by the participant. There *may* be a small entry fee to cover costs of the event (including T-Shirts, Pad, Pen, Ruler, and Prizes). The fee amount, if any, is currently TBD. The submitted flies which will be awarded to the winner or winning team. Additionally, the grand prize is awarded to the individual or team captain (in the later case, the captain can determine how to best distribute the prize). Our "Grand Prize" is a year's possesion of the "Champion Rod" and is to be returned by the prior team in advance of the 2006 Pet Fly Smackdown.

  6. Locations / Streams / Etiquette - currently all Lake Erie Tributaries in the state of Pennsylvania where public access is permitted are included in the 2005 "approved smackdown waters".. Multiple participants or teams may fish the same body at the same time and it is in fact encouraged (afterall, we're all friends here and we like to fish together), however proper stream etiquette must be practiced and any given hole or river stretch is available on a "first-come, first-served basis". Remember, if there's any doubt or desire, ASK. Give the general angling public PLENTY of room to work. Above all, do your best to not disturb anyone's fishing experience.

  7. Scoring - Keep track of the TROUT OR SALMON you catch. ONLY TROUT & SALMON CAUGHT (caught defined as bringing to hand or net...actually TOUCHING and having control over the fish) with the pet-hair pattern you entered may be counted towards your score (feel free of course to fish other patterns and enjoy the day suckers!). Non-SALMONID species do not count. Be honest and fair in recording your catches. A Pencil or pen, pad of paper and tape measure are required to accurately record your catches. A net is strongly encouraged for handling fish, especially if practicing Catch and Release (C & R). There is no bonus or penalty for creeling your catch (follow the bag limits etc...) although you are strongly encouraged to release all fish - Please also see the 2004 ammendments, Item #11

  8. Tournament Disclaimer - well since this is really nothing more than a smackdown between friends, not sanctioned or sponsored by anyone, any organization or business, these rules legally disclaim ALL of us from any liability in participating in this "event". In other words, play at your own risk. Of course, you need the appropriate fishing license, and well fish to your abilities (i.e. don't think you can walk on paper thin ice, fall in and drown, that would be bad). Your participation in this event is your acceptance of these rules, this disclaimer, and liability for your own actions.

  9. State Regulations - you are, of course, expected to strongly adhere to ALL laws and regulations pertaining to fishing for trout at the location of this smackdown. You MUST have the appropriate license. In Pennsylvania, you are REQUIRED by state law to visibly display your license on your person at all times.

  10. Schedule - The Scheduling for this first smackdown is as follows; on Smackdown Day (Dec 3) we will start assembling at our location prior to 6:30 am if possible. The derby will begin immediately following the completion of entry by the last known participant , or 7:00 am, whichever happens FIRST. Fishing must end 5:00 PM. Participants will meet at our Fire & Feast location around 5:30 pm or so to tabulate the scores and declare a winner and collect / redistribute the "prizes", and maybe we'll even all get together and whip up some really good camp food.

  11. 2004 Ammendments
    1. Tournament Participant Slots - The number of participants for the 2004 Pet Fly Smackdown is limited to "around 20". 20 is our planned cutoff; should another couple folks need to be squeezed in we can accomodate that request.
    2. Catch & Release - Catch & Release is STRONGLY encouraged. The DNR has suggested that a max creel limit be 2 for the day of the Tournament. After discussion, it has been decided that the 2004 Pet Fly Smackdown will be a C&R ONLY tournament. The exceptions where creeling a fish is allowed included deeply-hooked, gill-hooked, and bleeding fish, as well as fish which are out of water for an excessive amount of time (i.e. frozen gills) and those which should otherwise be creeled. By all accounts, practice appropriate C&R; if air temperatures are below 33F the fish should remain in the water as much as possible.

     

  12. 2005 Ammendments
    1. The Flame Orange Garment requirement has been dropped for our 2005 Pet Fly Smackdown. We're not expecting to run into any deer hunters, but if you notice them around, we still suggest having some Flame Orange around, just in case. So, it's advised, but not required.
    2. Modification to 2004 Ammendment #1 - Due to our new location and the fact that this year we're not expecting ANY entry fees for this group outing, there is no maximum number of participants this year (2005)
    3. Fire and Feast - as is tradition, dinner is POT LUCK and everyone attending is expected to bring something. If you don't know what to bring, well, where the heck were you when all the emails were flying around?
    4. 2006 Smackdown Decision - this year we'll take suggestions at our Fire and Feast and possibly hold a vote to determine the 2006 location.

 

**Why Negative? Well, 'cause I feel that despite my moniker as the "Dinker King"; slamming 36 6" trout isn't the same as slamming 12 18" trout, and we'd all clearly claim the latter to be the winner of any contest. This scoring system reflects that desire of productivity from our flies.