The 2013 Northern Lights Casting Competition was held perfect casting conditions on Saturday 23 Feb 13.  25 casters registered for the event and many were accompanied by family and friends which added to the friendly atmosphere of the evening.  As can be seen in the video below (well done AJ), the weather was superb, the tucker terrific, the cast outstanding and the event a roaring success.  Where else in the world can attend a night casting event in such brilliant surroundings?

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With the enticing smell of Allan Statton's BBQ wafting over the pool & surrounds, casting in the dry fly round got under way.  With the 1st & 3rd hoop distances set at 24 and 47 feet respectively some excellent scores were posted.  John Waters lead the field with a clean round of 50 points, followed by John Phelan on 48 with a 3 way tie for third when John Kruska, Geoff Newman & Mark Cuthbert scored 45 points each.

A brilliant sunset framed the pool as casting in the ICF Skish round began.  Comprising a dry fly, roll cast and wet fly round within this event, there was another three way tie...this time for first place.  On 95 points were, Northern's Leff Andropof, AJ Balachandra and Daryl Wallis. A close second was Ken Lucas on 93 and just 1 point behind in third place was John Waters.

The mirror like surface of the pool ensured no one could blame the wind for missing hoops in the all important wet fly event and Mark Cuthbert didn't need any excuses with a perfect round of 50 points.  Second place was taken out by our own Chris Swadling with yet another three way tie for third placed when Andrew Connell, John Waters and Leff Andropof all scored a respectable 40 points.

The possibility of winning one of Bintoro's famous Anzac biscuits & unique Northern Lights Certificates must have been a contributing factor in the competition as scores were very close through out the night, with only one point separating 1st and 2nd place in the overall winner's tally.  Third place went to John Kruska on 168, second to Mark Cuthbert with 181 points and the overall winner of the NSFFC Northern Lights Casting Competition for 2013 went to John Waters with 182 points.

For those not lucky enough to win Anzac Biscuits, Wine, Cap Lights and Certificates in the casting presentation, raffle prises of a fly line, fly box , reel and UV torches were a fantastic consolation, thanks must go to Leff Andropof and John Kruska for arranging these.

This year saw 2 of our Junior members cast the Northern Lights for the first time, both Brynn Farkas and Lachlan Dyer acquitted themselves with excellent scores, Brynn on 129 and Lachlan on 107.  I'm sure we'll see these young fellows on the podium at other events in the near future.

All in the effort by NSFFC members ensured this years Northern Lights went off without a hitch, I look forward to seeing you at next years event.