The Fanzdanglers’ Flask, an antique trophy dating from about 1870, is awarded each year for the funniest one-liner, the winner being decided by audience acclaim at the final night dinner.

Much of the humour is inadvertent - for example, organizer Terry Duval briefing the group on the need for wading care: “If you tip up and drown, you’ve got a problem.” Or Bernard Jackson: “I think I’m getting better at spotting – today I spotted a fish that I didn’t actually see.”

Some of it is sheer spontaneous wit. Lorenzo Lodge on the hazards of fishing in different countries (snakes in Australia, bears in Alaska): “It’s a bit lacking in spice in New Zealand, isn’t it? I mean, you’re not going to get mauled by a kiwi.” And Martin Fryer commented, after fishing a promising riffle, “Like kissing your sister: nothing in it.”

The theme is not always fishing. Justus Veeneklaas won in 2004 for his contribution to a conversation on snoring: “If I have zero alcohol, I don’t snore. It’s hell for the rest of your life when your wife finds that out…”

And the winner is not always an angler.Margot Danks won in 2005 when it was jokingly observed that,after two days’ fishing together, her husband Robbie and team-mate Warren Osako might be worryingly close. She said, “I’m not too worried – after two days on the river, all they could get to rise would be a brown trout…”

The Renny & Robbie show produced the usual laughs as the raconteurs recited those funny incidents missed by most.

It was guide/photographer Martin de Ruyter’s turn finding himself the other side of the lens receiving the coveted Flask for one year.

The duo continued with planned awards for a myriad of incidents that you had to be there to appreciate… so be there, or be square!

While the New Zealand OneFly is a celebration of fly-fishing, the Fanzdanglers’ Flask celebrates the great good humour which is such an important part of the event.

Hope to see you there ...

Renny