Competitive fishing
I have been fancying having a go at some competitive fly fishing, not so much because I fancy my chances- because frankly I don’t! but because I have fairly limited opportunities to learn from other anglers, in essence if I don’t pay someone I don’t learn. My line of thought goes that if I could see and be around anglers with better hit rates than me some of that experience is going to rub off. So to that end I am interested in entering a few competitions this year.
Iain Barr Airflo World Bank Masters
First up I am going into the Iain Barr Airflo World Bank Masters at Orchill in late April. This is a “fun” competition, ie. not to international rules, and from previous fun competitions I have been in hopefully I can pick up some handy stuff. Mind if I have day like my recent trip to Orchill in January I might win!
Scottish Club Championship
I did a bit research and noticed that my club, Stirling Castle Angling Club is apparently affiliated to SANACC. As such this means members can enter the Scottish Club Championship held at Lake of Menteith throughout the season. I would be very keen on giving this a go, if you are a member of the club and either know of an existing entry for this, or would be keen on entering under the SCAC banner, let me know. Maybe we could do something. I think three anglers are needed- and I would guess having a 4th reserve would be wise given things can come up! I think there is an individual Championship but I think I would wait to see how I did in the company of others before trying this!
Scottish Rivers Championship
This is another one hosted by SANACC ( why two organisations? seems crazy! probably some politics behind it but it does no favours to Scottish angling in my view), on the Tummel which is not that far. I don’t think I will be doing this though as I am not that handy a river angler, I only caught my first fish on a dry fly on moving water in May! I know John who I met on the Teviot Grayling competition does this. I also notice you have to bring someone who is an angler with you as a controller…. that’s me screwed then!
SANA Small Stillwaters Bank Championship
I was very keen on entering the SANA Small Stillwaters Bank Championship but think this is going to be a non starter for me. I could enter the qualifiers but were I fortunate enough to make it through ( and knowing Murphy’s law as I do, the time when I don’t want to win something I probably would!) I could not attend the final as it falls on what should be the second day of my Summer holidays up near Elgin at Glen of Rothes. If it had fell the first day my wife had said we could hold back a day leaving for Wales, but I am not prepared to hold back two days! Bit annoying them holding a final in mid July when most people are thinking of Summer holidays and lets face it July fishing can be challenging to say the least. So better not to enter than be letting myself down and others ( who lost a place more merited) were I to fluke it through.
Kenny you will have to put in for the rivers comp soon , my entry is in, cant remember the dates (April and May) , will let you know what i put in for as soon as ,If you get a different date and im off I will be a controller , for you.
Scottish Clubs,,,,, In our club the top 6 anglers go to this comp, A and B team. , I think its the top two in every heat that go through to the Champion of Champion comp.
John
Very kind John
I have decided this year to not be over ambitious- I am not a great river angler – and need a lot more time on the water to improve my catch rates. I do OK on small streams but I suspect on a river like the Tummel I would be utterly hopeless!
My club AGM is next week so will find out how the club organises entries to the championships, I never heard of anything related to it last year so suspected ( maybe wrongly) that they don’t make an entry, if thats the case and I can get interest I would like to give that a go. Are you doing the Airflo thing? Also You know there is another Grayling event on the Annan on the 10th. Not sure if I will be going or not yet, would like to if I am allowed! Beleive it or not I am pencilled in for a casting lesson with Hywel Morgan on the day before so will need to see what transpires there.
Im just a learner at the rivers myself, I have been going to the rivers national for the last three years because nobody in our club wants to go, and I get to practice on another river .
You should go and watch the top fishers. and get a few tips. I might go up and do that.
John