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The 2005, Police Sport UK Fly-Fishing International Championship at Grafham Water commenced at 09.45hrs, on 8th September. Grafham Water has never proved to be an easy place when the skies are bright blue, as discovered by many during the previous day’s practice. So thoughts of early limits were put aside as the competitors splashed on that factor 30-sun cream and ensured they packed sufficient water to prevent dehydration.

The sixty-four anglers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland make last minute preparations before setting out upon the water.

The practice day had proved its worth allowing anglers to find the areas of clear water, which held a considerable number of fish, old favourite drifts on to “G” buoy were abandoned as the water was thick like lentil soup with algae. It was clear from the beginning of the competition that anglers would be concentrating their efforts in those clearer waters at the west end of the reservoir near “L” buoy or at Gaynes Cove near the dam.

A little skill, some zeal and determination, oh and little bit of luck is all you need for fishing, but how often do I start these reports by saying that fishing proved difficult. Grafham was no different, a few fish were taken early coming to black buzzers or black/red diawl bachs on intermediate or floating lines. Though the majority of fish succumbed to sink lines of DI 3 to DI 7 where a variety of boobies, blobs and lures in an assortment colours were presented to the fish. Orange appeared to be their favourite, how ever I’m convinced if you got anything past their nose would do the trick.

Stuart Worth into the first of his three fish for the day, assisted by Jim Walker (Sec. No.10 Region: Scotland) net in hand. The pressure was definitely on the Irish lads who had done so well in the National Championship at Llandegfedd.
Stuart along with a number of others from the Northern Ireland team concentrated their efforts around “L” buoy as it had proved successful the previous day.

Andy Rough (Scotland) is here collecting the Cambridgeshire Cup as overall champion. Andy had a terrific days fishing taking eight fish for 17lb 07oz the vast majority of his fish fell to a small orange boobie fished on a DI3 line. Andy was also presented Hampshire Cup along with a three-piece fly rod donated by Mr John Mees Fishery Manager of Grafham Water for the best bag of fish.
One of the fish Andy landed was a 2lb 09oz brown trout, winning him the South West Trophy .
Only two brown trout were weighed in the other by another scot Jim McBride, weighing 1lb 14oz. Jim also had an excellent day fishing catching eight fish weighing 16lb 09oz.

Above DS Mark Roberts (retired) collects the Charles Landell Trophy as captain of the winning Welsh team. Mark had caught four fish for 10lb 04oz. A closely contested competition where Scotland were beaten by 1lb 09oz, this the second year Scotland have been put into second place by the Welsh. Wales host the International next year, can they do it three on the trot, will Scotland beat them on their own ground or will that sleeping lion England come back to the fore. Sorry, Northern Ireland but as current holders of the Wooden Spoon and holders for the last five years, the other three teams are determined that you keep this trophy as your own personal souvenir.

Mr Philipson is seen on the far right of this photograph with Detective Constable Brian Beattie, (in the red tie) who organised the event along with the winning team from Wales.
Welsh Secretary Phil Griffith standing to the right of Mark Roberts and looking down, really helped his team home with a superb bag of rainbow trout eight fish weighing 16lb 05oz.

Results:
Wales 49 fish for 97lb 03oz
Scotland 47 fish for 95lb 10oz
England 41 fish for 78lb 04oz
N.Ireland 30 fish for 58lb 08oz