After winning gold medals at Llandegfedd, Wales in 2010 and Bewl Water, Kent in 2011 in the Home Internationals, The Angling Trust’s England Ladies Fly Fishing team was keen to continue this momentum and gain gold at the Lake of Menteith, Scotland on 24th May 2012 - something which has eluded them for 18 years.  Depite a brilliant performance, they were unfortunately pipped to Silver by the host nation.

Most of the England team decided to increase their chances by travelling up to the venue a week before the event.  Chalets and boats were booked and a rota system was created to ensure that no one over did the fishing.  The weather for the first week was bitterly cold at a maximum of 6 degrees with a raw easterly wind, rain and sleet.  The ladies worked out the tactics that were effective and things were looking promising.

Match week loomed and suddenly the sun came out and the temperature soared to the mid twenties.  Tactics were changed and the team were still very confident of a victory.  Match day arrived and it was 29 degrees in the shade and the lake looked like a mirror.  The trout were still playing however, and it was great to see some bent rods from all four countries.

The final results saw Scotland come out worthy winners with 92lb 6.60oz with 42 trout, with England only 6 fish behind to go into runner up position with 78lb 2.4oz.  The results could have been so different if the England team had landed all the trout that were hooked. 

Results:
1st - Scotland - 42 trout for 92lb 6.6oz
2nd - England - 36 fish for 78lb 2.4oz
3rd - Wales - 21 fish for 46lb 13oz
4th - Ireland - 19 fish for 44lb 5.6oz

Martha Thomson took the honours of being top England rod with 7 trout for 14lb 5.8oz.  England Captain, Eileen Chatwin, was very proud of the team and the effort they put in.  Paul Sissons, England Team Manager, said “The team put in 110% and I couldn't have asked for more.” 

The Home International will be held on Lough Caragh in Ireland in 2013, and the team will be selected at the National Championship on Grafham Water on 9th September  2012.  Details of how to fish in this competition are available at www.anglingtrust.net (competitions).

The England Ladies Fly Fishing Association is now part of the Angling Trust’s competitions structure and operates under the name ‘Team England Ladies Fly Fishing’.  The Angling Trust is working at a national level to promote competitions in coarse, game and sea angling, and to seek sponsorship for all our national teams.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said “Congratulations are due to the England Ladies Fly Fishing Team for this excellent performance.  They gave the Scottish team a very good run for their money and only just missed out on clinching gold for England.  They are a great team who are entirely committed to fishing for their country.  We are working hard to raise funds for all our England teams so that the squads can focus on fishing, not fundraising.”

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NOTES FOR EDITORS:
For competition press enquiries please call Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust on 0115 9061 301 or email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net