Competition Rules

2010 Competition Rules

DTU Pro-Am Carp Slam Day 1

INTRODUCTION
The Competition Rules are similar to those governing the Fly Fishing Team USA National Fly Fishing Championship (NFFC). If there is any doubt or dispute over any aspect of the Competition Rules before or during the contest, it will be resolved by the Competition Chairman and/or his appointed representatives.

PARTICIPATION
Each team consisting of a “Pro” and “Amateur” angler must pay an entry fee.  Teams will be determined by a blind draw on the eve of the event.

EQUIPMENT

FLY RODS

  1. One fly rod, not more than twelve feet/three hundred and sixty-six centimeters in length, may be used at one time. Rods may be rigged and ready to fish.
  2. Competitors may have spare fly rods & reels with them.
  3. Competitors are responsible for carrying and protecting their own equipment.

FLY LINES

  1. Any factory made floating, sinking or sink tip lines may be used.

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COMPETITION LEADERS

  1. A single leader may be used, of any length.
  2. Leaders may be knotted or knotless, and tapered or level.

COMPETITION FLIES

  1. Competitors may use floating or sinking artificial flies.
  2. Each fly must be dressed on a single hook, without limit as to size.
  3. The length of the dressed fly will be at the discretion of the competitor.
  4. Weighted flies are permitted.
  5. A maximum of three flies is permitted.
  6. No scent or bait may be applied to flies.

LANDING NETS

  1. The material of the landing net must be soft cotton or other non-abrasive material and preferably of knotless construction.
  2. Landing nets must not exceed 48”in overall length, when fully extended.
  3. Team members may assist the angler by netting hooked fish.

DURATION OF EVENTS, AND SCORING

  1. There will be two separate scoring sessions for the event.   A morning and afternoon beat will be determined by blind draw on the eve of the event.   All competitors will have the right to fish an equal number of scoring sessions on each fishing venue.
  2. Each scoring session will consist of three hours of fishing.  If, for reasons beyond the control of the team, the scoring session amounts to less than the announced period, compensatory time will be allowed.  Pro and amateur anglers will alternate fishing at 30 minute intervals. Amateurs will fish 1st interval of each session.  Both competitors may fish the last ½ hour of session
  3. The hours for competition will be set by the Competition Chairman.
  4. The respective Controller will be responsible for keeping time for each session.

FISHING BEATS

  1. Competition waters will be divided into two sectors, identified by Letter.
  2. The beats within sectors will be identified consecutively starting from the upstream boundary in running waters.   There will be the same number of beats within each sector as the number of participating competitors.
  3. Beats will be established with the prime objective of providing all competitors with equal fishing opportunities; further, they will be a minimum length of 200 yards.  Ideally, each beat will have a minimum buffer zone of 22 yards on each side.
  4. A competitor may only cast or fish his flies within the marked boundaries of his beat and he must remain within the boundaries of the beat during the whole competition session.
  5. If a hooked fish swims into a buffer zone, the competitor may play the fish from inside his own beat and it must also be landed within his beat.  If a hooked fish swims into the adjacent beat, and the angler in that beat does not object, then the competitor may play the fish from inside his own beat and it must also be landed within his beat.  If the angler in the adjacent beat does object, the competitor has a maximum of ten minutes to bring the fish out of the adjacent beat.

PROHIBITIONS

  1. Lack of good sportsmanship towards other competitors, team officials, or competition officials.
  2. Any action by competitors or officials, which would produce fraudulent or biased results.
  3. The use by a team member of electronic or other communication methods during a competition session.
  4. A competitor, during a competition session, requesting advice relating to the fishing from anyone or accepting material help relating to the fishing from anyone.
  5. Participants or agents of participants may not fish competition waters within 5 days of the competition.
  6. Practice water shall be any water on the South Platte River in Denver that is,  north of 144th Avenue

CONTEST SUPERVISION
SECTOR JUDGES

General Requirements
There will be a Sector Judge for each Sector (set of beats) – 3 anticipated.
The arrangements for ensuring that Sector Judges are knowledgeable, competent and conversant with the contest rules is the responsibility of the Contest Coordinator who is a member of the Steering Committee.
Rules, and any Modifications, are to be reviewed and approved by the Contest Coordinator.
Duties & Responsibilities

  1. The proper conduct of the competition within their assigned sector.
  2. Supervising the training of all controllers in their sector and accepting only those who are properly qualified.
  3. Supervision of the controllers to ensure that they are keeping accurate records and are enforcing the observance of the competition rules.
  4. Assisting controllers in rule interpretation if there is any doubt about a possible infraction of the Rules.
  5. Supervising the recording of suspected infractions of the Rules and reporting them to the Competition Coordinator.
  6. Ensuring that no person has access to competitors during competition sessions.  All observers should be kept well away so that they do not interfere or communicate with competitors.
  7. Other duties may be assigned to by the Competition Coordinator.
  8. Reviewing the scoring calculations made by the Controller.

CONTROLLERS
General Requirements
There will be a Controller for each team – 15 anticipated.
The arrangements for ensuring that sector Controllers are knowledgeable, competent and conversant with the contest rules are the responsibility of the Contest Coordinator

Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Accurately recording the competitor’s scorecard details of each eligible fish, including the length to the nearest inch and the time of capture.  All unused portions of the scoring section of the card must be crossed out by the Controller at the end of the session.  The original of the scoring card will be given to the Sector Judge; the duplicate will be given to the competitor.
  2. Warning competitors of any breach of the Rules that appears probable.
  3. Record any infraction of the Rules and report this information to the Sector Judge and to the Competition Coordinator.

ASSIGNMENT OF BEATS

  1. Individual beats will be selected by random drawing.  In other words, each team will be assigned 2 beats by random selection.
  2. All beats must be clearly defined before beats are assigned to competitors and must not be altered during the competition.  As such, a competitor will be guaranteed that he will fish on those beats that he or she has been assigned and will not be reassigned to another beat just to keep contestants together for better control.
  3. In the event non-contestants are causing a problem on an assigned beat the Sector Judge may reassign the contestant to an open beat when requested by the competitor.  Reassignment is the discretion of the Sector Judge.  Beats will not be reassigned due to the presence of another non-competitive fisherman.  In the event of a beat reassignment, the contestant will be given 15 minutes to relocate and will fish out the remaining time, for a total of 3 hours, on the new beat

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FISH

  1. All carp available in the competition waters qualify that are at least 10 inches in length.  For measuring purposes, the length will be from the tip of the nose to tip of the tail in centimeters.
  2. Only fish hooked in the mouth area, i.e. in front of the rear edge of the gill cover are eligible.  Intentional snagging of fish is prohibited.
  3. A fish hooked during a competition session is eligible if it is landed not more than ten minutes after the end of the session.
  4. In the event of the loss of a fish by a Controller before measurement, the competitor will be awarded the average of the points for all valid fish taken in that sector in that session.
  5. If a competitor wishes a fish to score, he must land it in a net and pass the fish to the controller for measurement and recording.
  6. The controller must remove the hook, revive the fish and release it, taking care not to damage the fish.
  7. If a competitor decides that a fish is ineligible or is undersized, he is not required to net it but must release it in the water, taking care not to cause it any damage, and ideally without touching it.
  8. All trout available in the competition waters will qualify.  The longest one measured will win the BIG TROUT PRIZE
  9. All other fish species will be counted and the total length will be determined to find the winner of the EXOTIC FISH PRIZE.

Penalty for infraction of the Rules

  1. Any official will provide one warning for any infraction of the rules.  Any fish caught while breaking a rule will not be scored.  If the same infraction is repeated at anytime throughout the competition the competitor will be disqualified from the current session.

SCORING

  1. Scoring will be the total of inches of fish caught by the team.  Scores will be kept for each individual competitor.  Total inches caught by the Pro competitor will determine a winner in the Pro bracket.
  2. If there is a tie for positions between individuals or teams, the tie breakers will be first, the largest number of valid fish caught; and second, will be the largest fish.

TITLES AND TROPHIES

  1. First, second and third prizes will be awarded for the Team competition and the Pro and Amateur divisions.
  2. Biggest Trout
  3. Exotic Species (anything other than a Carp or a Trout)

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What is Carp Slam?

You've seen a carp, now learn about the Slam. The South Platte Pro-Am Carp Slam is a fly fishing tournament with a great cause in mind.
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