Mistake was only bringing one streamer in that pattern, or close to that pattern. The flies that a competitor takes to the competition is for that specific area and time of year . Only having one hurt him.

Two thing come to mind: 1) After setting the hook, Luke should have tried to get the trout on the 'reel' ASAP. One stands a much great risk of a breakoff by pulling line to play a fish...rather than using the reel. Using the reel's drag is much more forgiving than 'line in hand'. 1) Luke's tippet was too small, likely causing the break. Not sure if he was using one of the 100% fluorcarbon tippets, but you can usually get away with larger line size by going 'Fluro'.

Forgot to mention that after the "second or third cast a big fish crushed it" tells me that having more of that specific pattern is really not an issue. If that was really the only fly they wanted he would only have found that out after many refusals from other flies, but losing that one fly after only two casts? No biggie, the cookie cutters will probably hit the next well presented fly as well. Actually his biggest mistake was sulking on that LDR. Without even thinking I would have been grabbing some tippet, repaired my leader, and tied on another fly before that fish had time to swim to the other side. An hour goes by quick.

I feel that the biggest mistake that many of us make in this situation is not brushing it off and getting right back in there after the fish. We all lose a big one now and then (and it isn't fun!) but if you let it get to you and don't keep after them - you won't have another chance.

Luke, no doubt you've been at this much longer than I have, but don't sulk - and don't get wrapped up in the fact that you don't have that exact fly handy. Quickly double check your gear and landing technique, then get back in there after those fish!

his biggest mistake was sulking after hooking into a 22" bow! he probably applied too much pressure too soon in the hookset. if he was actively fishing a streamer the fly was already under tension and there is not much need to set the hook, all that is needed is a subtle tug and then let the fish run.

Going with bisonium for the prize pack. A couple of ya gave the too light of a tippet answer, true, but bisonium was the first one to list it as his first choice.
My list of reasons why, and feel free to argue, you may change my mind, but not the fact that bisonium gets the prize pack.
1. Luke may have be given that pattern when he got on site. By a local, a guide, crack-head Timmy, anyone, so only having one in that pattern could have possibly not been avoided.
2. Knowing the amount of pressure that competitors feel in the Finals, there's a really good chance that a highly seasoned vet fly-fisher would make a rookie mistake. Controlling tension and line are a little different with a time limit on your back.
3. He's not allowed to have a fly tying kit during competition.
4. "Sulking afterwards" didn't mean that he sat there and didn't fish, though I can very much see how many of y'all thought that's what I meant. The big man is a funny, funny dude, and when he got quiet for a few, you could see his heart sink.
5. The trout in Dogwood have never been leader shy in the Finals comp. They are only fished when there is a guided trip and there is a ton of stream for the guides to spread pressure, so the don't get hammered. With some research, you could easily find this out before the comp.
In general, you can use a heavier tippet when streamer fishing; in most places anyway. You should know this ahead of time.
If they are leader shy, you can always size down after refusals. You should know this ahead of time also.
These trout are heavy and strong; you need to be able to muscle them at times so you don't kill them upon release.
Knowing these AHEAD of comp time, I feel like Luke should have gone into it knowing that he could and should use heavier tippet. It's a ton easier to plan ahead and control those that you can then, not when that clock is ticking and the cameras are on.

When I have been standing around at the regionals talking with the past finalist the conversation turned to the flyfishing comp. They have all said that they had to go to a 5x tippet to get a bite. Sounds like the trout are leader shy to me, but I have never been there.
Usually when I have a fish break off, when I have looked at the leader there is that telltale "pig tail" at the tip of the remaining of the shortened leader to let me know that wind knot was the culprit.
It is hard to tell the real cause withhout being able to examine the broken leader.

Ouch

Bring more than one of every fly or streamer