2022 Jim Gariepy Memorial Fly Fishing Tournament

Jim was the President of the Deerfield River Chapter of Trout Unlimited for two years. He was an avid fly fisher, paddler and skier and he ran our Single Fly event for four years. In 2018, our chapter renamed the event in his honor. True to his vision, we intend this event to be a relaxing weekend of fly fishing, with more emphasis on camaraderie rather than competition. Some may be interested in a more competitive event – we hope to accommodate you too!

Overview

The Single Fly Event on Saturday and Sunday is a two day catch and release event. Each day the participants select three copies of one specific fly pattern and hook size. If you lose the third copy, your tournament fishing day is over for that day. The pattern for the second day must be distinctly different than the pattern from the first day. We encourage folks to fish with a partner and enter into the partners competition too. Each participant will measure and tally their own fish (honesty please!). The largest total length of trout in several categories will win awards!

The Competitive Event on Sunday will begin with the four Single Fly participants who have the greatest tally of length from the Single Fly Event on Saturday. Competitors will be randomly assigned a beat for one two-hour morning sessions and another beat for a two-hour afternoon session. They will not be restricted by the single fly rules but may not use more than a single fly on their tippet at once. A volunteer handler will be assigned to each beat and they’ll measure and record each trout brought to the net.

Qualifications

Must be 12 years or older to enter. Anyone under the age of 17 must have an adult supervisor or partner. The weekend is MA free fishing weekend so no license is required. All participants are expected to follow MA fishing regulations and practice catch and release during the tournament. You are responsible for your own safety – the river bottom is slippery and the water is cold. Waders and felt-soled boots are recommended. All participants must sign a release form.

All flies must be single barbless. No bait, powerbait nor scented flies permitted. Catch, measure, release: Ideally, a fish is brought to the net, measured in the water and released. In some circumstances, fish brought under control may be counted. Meaning that a reasonable person viewing your handling of the fish would state that the angler was in control of the fish, brought it into a handling situation and took a positive step to release the fish into the wild. Foul-hooked fish may not be counted. A fair-hooked fish is hooked in the mouth.

Where

The Zoar Picnic Grounds are located in Rowe on Zoar Road just up river from Rowe Road, Pelham Brook and the railroad underpass.

Schedule

Saturday June 4

8:00 AM: Single Fly Event officially begins

8:00-9:00 AM: Breakfast at Zoar Picnic Grounds

Time TBD: MA/RI Council Meeting at Country Hire Campgrounds on Rt. 2

9:00 PM: Single Fly Saturday officially ends – Submit tallies to enter the Jim Gariepy Competitive Tournament

Sunday June 5

5:00 AM: Single Fly Sunday begins

8:00 AM: Competitive Anglers (4) Event meets at Shunpike

4:30 PM: Single Fly Sunday officially ends

5:00 PM: Closing Cookout at Zoar Picnic Grounds

5:15 PM: Deadline for submission of tallies

5:45 PM: Awards Ceremony & Raffle

6:00 PM: Closing and clean up

Awards

Single Fly Champ	Total Number of Inches of Trout
Tournament Champ	Total Length of Fish for Sunday
Junior Single Fly Champ	18 Years of Age or Younger
Senior Single Fly Champ	65 Years of Age or Older
Pepe (Grandfather)	Largest Trout in Length and Girth
Honorable Mentions	As Appropriate