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Spring 2012

Loch Internationals

Spring International
Lough Sheelin
18th May 2012

Lochgilphead & District AC

Scottish Team sponsored by Fishers, Lake of Menteith Fisheries,
OES, BVG Airflow, Flyfish Europe and Lochgilphead & District AC.
(click on sponsors logo to go to their website)

Spring International - Lough Sheelin

Ireland provided a superb venue for the 2012 Spring International which was held on Lough Sheelin on 18th May. Water clarity was excellent; the fish were plentiful and of a good size; fly life was prolific and of the course the boatmen made sure that everyone had a good time. During the week the mayfly made a very regular appearance and were attracting trout at various times on each day. Numerous trout over 4lb were caught and at least one at 6lbs was landed.

The competition was entirely catch and release with the minimum size set at 30cm. Twenty points were awarded for each fish plus one point for each centimetre of length. 106 fish were caught on match day. The day started off bright with a brisk breeze and as the day progressed the cloud cover and wind strength increased to give near perfect conditions although on the cold side. The mayfly put in an appearance and trout were moving to them in many areas.

The competition was a close run event and produced a nail biting finish. England were first to weigh-in and their 13 fish gave them 788 points. Ireland were next and recorded 34 fish for 2076 points. Scotland followed with 27 fish for 1692 points. Wales were last to report and with 32 fish the Welsh and Irish teams were on tenterhooks as they waited for the Welsh points to be announced. There had been many good sized trout taken and the result could have gone either way. The Welsh points were announced as 2004 points which gave them the Silver with Ireland taking the Gold.

Ireland had put in the hours on Sheelin during the months before the match and the Gold medal was well deserved. Wales had also put in the ground work with some of the team reported as being on Sheelin the previous week. It nearly paid off for them.

The Brown Bowl for the top individual rod went to Kieron Thomas of Wales who had 7 trout for 470 points. His trout averaged just under 47cm. Arden Pollock of Ireland was second with 6 trout for 355 points (average 38cm) and Russell Owen of Wales was third with 5 trout for 322 points (average 44cm).

The top rod for England was Mark Wytham with 4 trout for 242 points. Ireland's top rod was Arden Pollock; Scotland's top rod was Ronnie Glass with 4 fish for 265 points and the top rod for Wales was Kieron Thomas. Both Ireland and Wales had four competitors in the top 10 while England and Scotland had one.

With 27 trout, Scotland were not too far off the mark but by the time the team managers had done a quick count it was clear that we were destined for the bronze medal.

Ronnie Glass is in superb form at the moment and followed up on his success as 2011 Scottish National Champion by picking up the Phoenix Silver Salver as Scotland's top rod. His 4 fish put him in 5th place overall.

During Tuesday's practice Ronnie found that dries were working between Plunketts and Crane Island when the mayfly were on the go. On match day he was paired with Robert Reilly of Ireland and they headed to the Stoney Island/Rabbits Point area where they looked for wind slicks with mayfly in them. He had three to the dries there and after trying elsewhere they returned to that area and ended with 7 to the boat.

photo: Ronnie receiving the Silver Salver
from IFFA president Michael Callaghan

Keith Logan was the second best Scottish rod with 3 trout for 184 points. He was paired with Russell Owen and on discussing where they wanted to go they agreed the areas they wanted to fish. They started off fishing Hollywell Bay down to Kilnahard Point. Russell picked up the first two fish and then Keith dropped a fly size and took three to go 3/2 up. Russell picked up another to draw level and then added another 2 in the last twenty minutes.

Dugald MacGilp was third best of the Scottish rods and was 14th overall. He finished with 3 trout for 182 points. Dugald was paired with the Welsh captain Jeff Thomas and they headed over to the Stoney Island area. Jeff took his first fish after 15 minutes followed by one for Dugald. Jeff took another one followed again by Dugald. They moved over to the Crane Island area and Dugald picked up his third fish. All of Dugald's fish were on a wet mayfly pattern fished on a fast glass.

Ray Anderson was 15th overall and was Scotland's fourth best rod. He had 3 trout for 181 points. Ray was paired with Mark Howard of England and opted to go to the Hollywell Bay to start with. He had his first fish, which was 52cm, within ten minutes pulling a wet daddy on a slime line. They moved down to Rabbit Point and he picked up 2 trout on a muddler. From there they went back to Hollywell Bay and Kilnahard Point.

Colin Macdonald had two trout for 140 points and was Scotland's fifth best rod and 20th overall. Colin was paired with Marco Orsi of Wales. They went to Stoney Island where Colin picked up a 43 cm fish fairly early. From there they went to Merry Point and then returned to Stoney Island. Colin went back to a fast glass line and covered a trout which took after one draw and he reckons it was over 5lbs. They finished their day at Gull Island

Back Row: Michael Callaghan(IFFA President) Stan Headley(Manager) Shane Kelly Dugald MacGilp Steven Graham Ronnie Glass Steven Welsh
Allan Smith George MacKenzie(International Secretary) Ian Campbell(IFFA Secretary)
Front Row: Bob Robertson David McAllister Keith Logan Ray Anderson Jock Kettles(Captain) Colin MacDonald Steven Leask Nigel Burns


Spring International
Lough Sheelin, Ireland
18th May 2012

Scottish Team Results - For the full reslut see www.iffa.net

Position	Competitor	Club	Fish	Points
5	Ronnie Glass	Kelso AA	4	265
12	Keith Logan	North Berwick AC	3	184
14	Dugald MacGilp	Lochgilphead AC	3	182
15	Ray Anderson	Leslie & Glenrothes AC	3	181
20	Colin MacDonald	Dunoon & District AC	2	140
21=	Jock Kettles(Captain)	Change FF AC	2	137
21=	Bob Robertson	Balfron Piscatorials	2	137
24	David McAllister	Port Glasgow AC	2	115
28	Steve Welsh	Dalbeattie AA	2	111
31	Stephen Leask	Neilston FF	2	108
32	Shane Kelly	Hawick AC	1	76
42	Nigel Burns	Crieff FF	1	56
45=	Steven Graham	Perth RASC	0	0
45=	Allan Smith	Stormontfield AC	0	0

Team

Jock Kettles (Captain)

Club: Change FF AC

Previous Caps: 11

History: Phoenix Silver Salver 2004 and 2009. Has had a gold medal in all four countries