National Match reports

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Police Sport UK
International Fly Fishing Championship

Match Report

Lake of Menteith 6th September 2007 9.30am – 5.30pm

 

 

The anglers leaving the shore, on the morning of the 2007 International Championships at the Lake of Menteith

Scotland the current Champions of this event welcomed the other three Home Nations to the Lake of Menteith, near Aberfoyle, Stirling.  This Scotland’s premier trout water, which set in the heart of Central Scotland, the Scottish team were hoping to retain the Charles Landell Trophy which they had won the previous year at Brenig Water, North Wales. Thus preventing the Welsh lads from winning the International Championships for a third year in a row.

The Scottish Secretary, Insp. John Friel (Lothian & Borders Police) introduced new rules for the event, reducing the amount of fish that would be killed to four per rod, along with the introduction of a scorecard to record fish that were caught and released. These rules were well received by all competitors, no longer would an angler be bagged up early and sitting in a boat waiting for the competition to end.  All anglers would now have to fish right to the very end of the competition in the hope of catching another fish to assist their team in winning the contest.

The Fishery Management were also pleased with this change, as it meant less fish were killed, though requested that competitors move to barb less hooks. This was agreed along with anglers being required to refrain from using boobies once their limit had been obtained. 

The Lake of Menteith had been fishing very well during the month of August and in the week prior to the event had went through a bit of a purple patch with the hatching of large quantities of the “Heather Fly” recognisable with their distinctive red legs, such terrestrial insects skimming the water surface can have the fish in a frenzy. Anticipation could not of been higher amongst competitors as they were briefed on the morning of the event, for although some anglers found the practice day a challenge others had a basket full.

Conditions were almost perfect as the anglers set off from the shore, even the officials did not hang about for the usual morning coffee. Though the officials were not in the same rush to return to the water after lunch as the fishing had proved quiet hard. A few fish had been taken in Hotel Bay, Gateside and across International Bay/Road Shore but no great numbers were being had.

As the International Championships progressed it became clear that some individuals had located the fish and were using the correct tactics, Alan Hill (Scotland) fishing lightly dressed flies (cormorants) on a floating line in a sheltered corner of Cages Bay and Kenny Millar (Scotland) dries on a floating line off the Gun Butts were on their “Catch & Release“ cards. Martin Barrett (England) on his first appearance at a Fly Fishing International Championships was hot on the tail of these two Scots, having taken his four fish by lunchtime, but was it enough?

The morning cloud remained only for a short period, before the sun started to burn through. The wind was steady coming out of the West, but the occasional burst out from the North West gave the day a cool feel to it. As the day continued the fishing deteriorated, though the occasion bent rod could be seen around the venue. A number of fish were caught as always in the last hour, but nothing that would affect the result.

 

The Results

Scotland          45       Trout  for      113lb 11oz       Bonus of  32lb Total 145lb 11oz

England           37        “           “          92lb 15oz       Bonus of  16lb    “     108lb 15oz

N.Ireland          34        “           “           87lb 13oz       Bonus of  18lb    “     105lb 13oz

Wales             27        “           “           70lb 09oz       Bonus of    6lb    “       76lb 09oz

 

Prize Winners

Winners (Charles Landell Trophy)                             Scotland         

Runners Up                                                                 England

(Oscar Evans Wooden Spoon)                                    Wales

 

Individual Champion

(Cambridge Cup)             Alan Hill                    Scotland    12 fish for 26lb 07oz

Runner Up                       Martin Barrett           England     11 fish for 23lb 15oz

Third                                Gary Smith                N. Ireland   7  fish for 17lb 12oz

 

(Hampshire Cup)

 Best four fish caught     Gary Smith                  N.Ireland    4 fish for  11lb 12oz

 

(Gwilym Hughes Trophy)

The most consistent Angler in both the National & International Championship

                     Simon Davies              Wales                          

      (having come twelfth and sixth respectively).

 

(Derrick Scougal Trophy)

Awarded to                      Gary Smith                 N. Ireland    with a Rainbow Trout for 4lb 01oz

 

 

The event concluded with the prize giving and Presentation Dinner at the Buchanan Arms Hotel in Drymen, Stirling. Mr McKenzie Chief Superintendent of the host force Central Scotland Police attended and presented the prizes. The Sections Chairman Mr Martin Baker Chief Constable of Dorset Police and committee members joined him at the top table.

 

I don’t think I could conclude this report without making mention of the scenes of euphoria that occurred when after eight years of collecting the Wooden Spoon the Northern Ireland team came third (very nearly second), leaving the Welsh team that have so often dominated this event to reflect upon their downfall and collect Oscar Evans tribute to those that tried but must try harder.

 

 

 

Click this link for all the photos

 

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/561317305VonFgw

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