2021 National

National

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

2021

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK

7plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Final - Lake of Menteith 18th September 2021

The 2021 Championship got off to a slow start with the scheduled heats having to be cancelled due to COVID restrictions but fortunately there was sufficient scope within the semi-final dates to move the competitors forward to their chosen semi-final dates. The qualifiers from the semi-finals went straight from there to the final which was held at the Lake of Menteith on Saturday 18th September. The internationals that were scheduled for 2020 and 2021 were also cancelled and our teams that should have represented Scotland at the 2020 internationals were carried forward to the 2022 matches with the result that the 2021 National final was not a qualifier for the international teams.

The session for the final started off with a September mist hanging in the air and most of the boats made for the Cages and the Malling Shore. A few made for Shear Point, International Bay and Lochend with three boats setting up in Hotel Bay and these boats were seen to be into fish pretty quickly. The fish were pretty high in the water in the morning and many of the boats in Cages were frequently into fish although not everyone was catching. The cloud cover cleared in the afternoon and the air temperature rose quite a bit.

Derek Pozzi of Thalassa AC stuck to International Bay and the Road Shore and his choice paid off when he landed 17 fish to be the 2021 Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Champion. Derek was presented with the National Trophy by Quint Glen, Lake of Menteith Fishery manager. In addition to the trophy, Derek will also receive a Ridgeline Monsoon Classic jacket courtesy of sponsors Ridgeline UK. Not many people have been as consitent in the National final as Derek who was second in 2019 and Champion in 2018. He has five international caps and will get his sixth when the internationals resume. His fish were taken on cormorant boobies.

Derek Pozzi with the National Trophy

Rab Maxwell (second) with Quint Glen

In second place with 16 fish was Rab Maxwell of Clatto & Stratheden AC (picture left) and in third place with 13 fish was Gregor Fleming of Bridge of Weir (Loch) AC (picture right). Rab will receive a Ridgeline Pintail jacket and Gregor will receive a Ridgeline Torrent 111 jacket courtesy of our sponsors Ridgeline UK. The heaviest fish of the day, which weighed 4lb 5.9ozs, was caught by Ewan Scott of Canmore AC . Ewan will receive a Ridgeline Monsoon jacket. The fish was taken at Kates Brae on a cat being pulled on a 3ft tip line.

Gregor Fleming (third) being congratulated by Quint Glen

Ridgeline UK also provided one of their Hybrid fleeces to each of the six heat winners and these were presented before the National result was announced (photo below).

(from left) Mick Thomson, Alan Brock, David Marfizo, Brian Kennedy and Douglas Beckett (missing David Wales)

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat 6 - Lake of Menteith 1st July 2021

It was wall to wall sun for the last of our heats at the Lake of Menteith on 1st July and as to be expected following a warm week the fish were mainly in the colder deep water. Forty Six anglers took part and the top 19 qualified for the final. Top rod and winner of the Ridgeline Igloo fleece provided by our sponsors Ridgeline UK was David Wales of Select FF with 8 fish for 18lb 8.3oz. In second place with 7 fish for 15lb 13.6 was Brian Quinn of Grizzlecats and 3rd with 6 fish for 14lb 15.4oz was Alan Harvie of Ardrossan Eglinton.

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat 5 - Lake of Menteith 29th June 2021

It was hard going for heat 5 at the Lake of Menteith. Forty two anglers took part and the top 18 qualified for the final. Top rod was Alan Brock of Crieff AC with 7 fish for 14lb 1.3oz. Alan will receive a Ridgeline Igloo fleece courtesy of our sponsors Ridgeline UK. Alan Porteous of Frozen North AC was second with 6 fish for 12lb 10oz and Derek Pozzi of Thalassa AC was third with 6 fish for 11lb 13.3oz.

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat 4 - Lintrathen 24th June 2021

Conditions were excellent for the start of heat 4 at Lintrathen on 24th June but unfortunately conditions changed as the session went on and the 11 competitors had to contend with torrential rain. The top five anglers qualified for the final and the rain didn't stop each of the top five catching 7 fish. Top rod was David Marfizo of Brechin AC with a weight of 12lb 5oz. Brian Abel of ABC&D AC was second with 11lb 10oz and Wullie Cowan of ABC&D AC was third with 11lb 5oz.

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat 3 - Loch Leven 18th June 2021

It was a tough day at Loch Leven for the third heat of the Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship with only 3 anglers out of the 11 who took part catching a fish. Top rod was Mick Thomson of Dalry Garnock with 1 trout for 2lb 8ozs. Ewan Scott of Canmore was second with a trout weighing 1lb 9ozs and third was Andy Kennedy of Dalry Garnock with a trout just under 1lb.

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat 2 Carron 17th June 2021

Carron hosted the second of the 2021 National Championship heats and on a bright day with an unexpected strong breeze the 15 anglers caught a total of 66 fish. The top six qualified for the final. Top rod was Brian Kennedy of Caley Liners with 11 fish and in second, also with 11 fish, was Alan Smith of Aberdour AA. Brian will receive a Ridgeline Igloo fleece courtesy of our sponsors Ridgeline UK. In third place was Andrew Kennedy of Caley Liners with 9 fish. The session was fished as catch and release and the longest fish of the day was measured at 69cm and was caught by Brad Gair of Balfron Pescatorials.

National Championship Heat 2 Carron
Top 3 (left to right)
Alan Smith, Brian Kennedy and Andrew Kennedy

Scottish National Trout Fly Fishing Championship

Sponsored by Ridgeline UK, 7Plus7 Construction and R & E Hygiene

Heat No 1 - Lintrathen 15th June 2021

The Scottish National Championship resumed at Lintrathen on 15th June with the first of the 2021 heats. We had to miss 2020 due to covid but Lintrathen couldn't have got us off to a better start with cloudy conditions and a good head of fish looking to be caught. Top rod was Douglas Beckett of Aberdour AA with 20 fish. Douglas will receive a Ridgeline Igloo fleece courtesy of our sponsors Ridgeline UK. Close behind in second was George Whyte of St Fillans & Lochearn AA with 18 fish and in third with 14 fish was Lee Anderson of Gateside FC. Sixteen anglers took part and netted 131 fish. The top seven will go through to the final.

Safety: When there is thunder or lightning all competitors must leave the water and must not return until 30 minutes after the last electrical activity. If due to the extent of electrical activity it is unsafe to return to the water within one hour of the first event or if after resuming fishing there is further electrical activity the competition will be stopped. Competitions may be postponed if electrical activity, temperature or wind strength make it unsafe to go ahead

AFTER the relevant draw has been published a change of heats will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances. Individuals will only be permitted an extenuating circumstances change once every three years. Competitors will however be permitted to arrange a mutual swap with a competitor in another heat or semi-final. At the prelim stage only, clubs may change their representative on the day. When registering with the officials at the venue the new representative should advise who is being replaced and must provide their own contact details in writing.

Anglers should register at least 30 minutes before the start time.

If you need to withdraw from the competition please contact the National Championship Secretary immediately. The officials will usually be at the venues at least 1 hour before the start and can be contacted via the fishery if you have a last minute problem.

During Catch & Release all hooks must be debarbed or barbless and double hooks are not permitted.

The competition at Carron will be fully catch and release with all fish being measured, recorded and returned. The minimum size is 20cm. 20 points plus 1 point for each centimetre of length will be awarded for each fish.

The competitions at Leven, Lintrathen and Menteith will have a bag limit of three fish followed by catch and release. The catch and release allowance and cap weight for fish at each venue are as follows:-

Lintrathen – Trout capped at 3lb; catch and release allowance 1.5lb; size for brown trout – 11inches. Menteith – Trout capped at 4lb with allowance of 2lb for returned trout. Leven – Trout capped at 2.5lbs with allowance of 1.25lb for returned trout. All venues to be measured to the fork of the tail.

Competition rules are displayed on the SANACC website at www.sanacc.org.uk. On the left hand menu go to “About Us” and then to “Competition Rules”

Mick Moran, National Championship Secretary. Tel 01698 262965 – email: michaelmoran1@btinternet.com.