Robbies Brief Fishing Reports

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Union of the Crowns

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As part of the Union of the Crowns 400th Anniversary Celebrations the Game Fair Flyfishers of Berwick organized a friendly England versus Scotland Loch Style Flyfishing Competition. The event was held on Sweethope on Sunday the 1st of June and was open to anyone.
Preference was given to members of Berwick Flyfishing Clubs and to other anglers from Berwick. However participants on the day came from as far away as Stirling and Co. Durham and ranged in ages from Twelve to over Eighty.

There was also a vast range of abilities from seasoned Full Internationals to Novices. The event was a friendly affair and the more experienced anglers were briefed to pass on the flies and methods to their boat partners.

Bacon Rolls and Coffee got the morning off to a good start and an excellent Buffet finished the evening. This was only possible due to the generous sponsorship from Blackshaws Garage and the Union of the Crowns Fund.

The "Blackshaws International" was a close run affair with England just edging out Scotland by 88 fish to 84. The winning Captain was 78 year old Bob Dalgleish of Berwick. The match was run on a mainly catch and release basis and the 42 anglers taking part had a very good rod average of 4.1 with the average weight of fish just over two pounds.

There was a maximum allowable catch per man of 16 fish. The anglers fished from 09.00 to 17.00 and Ronnie Glass of Scotland managed his limit with half an hour to spare. However this was only good enough to for second place as the vice-captain of England, James Inkpen achieved his total by just after three o'clock. The fishing was conducted to Full International rules and other notable catches were Jim Youngman with 14 fish, John Maclennan with 13 fish, Robbie Bell with 9 and Dougie Taylor with 8. Weather conditions on the day were very good although a bright sun in the afternoon did slow things down.

Part of the thinking behind the Union of the Crowns sporting festival is to promote cross border relations. The organizers were very pleased to report that a large number of anglers showed no preference as to which country they fished for. The "International" will now become an annual affair and Blackshaws Garage have very generously expressed an interest in supporting the event next year.

Left to right, John Maclennan 4th, Jim Youngman 3rd, Ronnie Glass 2nd, James Inkpen 1st, Robbie Bell 5th, Ian Fairgrieve Blackshaws General Manager.

Margaret & Robbie Bell
Game Fair
12 Marygate
Berwick upon Tweed
Northumberland
TD15 1BN

Telephone: 01289 305119
E.Mail: robbie@gamefair-flyfishing.net