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News on the 2010 Championship to be held in Wales
23rd to 26th June
Read more some information
on the championship.
website for
the 2010 championship
Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championship 2010 Wales
Report from Todd Oishi Team Captain Team Canada 1
Below is a
report
sent to Iain
Earle Chairman Commonwealth Fly Fishing Scotland.
Hello Iain,
I hope that life has finally returned to normal for you!
Although I have only been home for less than three
weeks, I already long to return to Scotland! It was
truly a pleasure to have met you and I must admit that I
have never been made to feel so at home and welcome in a
foreign country, as I did while visiting Islay. It is
truly a small piece of heaven - here on earth!
On behalf of both Canadian teams, I just wanted
to express our sincerest appreciation for all of your
efforts and hard work, and for making this
year's Commonwealths such a TREMENDOUS success and a
great time for everyone involved! Your efforts as well
as the hospitality and kindness that was shown to us
by the members of the Port Ellen Angling Club and all of
the residents of Islay surpassed all of our
expectations.
The exceptional lunch/feast that was provided to us
courtesy of the wonderful ladies and gentleman at the
estate house on Ballygrant was truly a sight to behold,
and one of the most thoughtful gestures of kindness that
I have ever witnessed.
Please pass along my message of thanks and appreciation
to all that were involved!
Best regards,
Todd Oishi
Captain of Fly Fishing Team Canada 1
P.S. I thought I'd send along a few photos and
notes from my journal, which provides some insight on
my experiences in Islay...
Islay Scotland Report (PDF)
1mb
Scotland
2009 Bowmore
Commonwealth Fly Fishing
Championship Winners
ISLAY HOSTS SCOTLAND VICTORY IN COMMONWEALTH FISHING
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The
island of Islay was centre stage last weekend as
Scotland triumphed for the third time in a row in a
prestigious fishing event.
Hundreds of visitors from across the globe descended on
the island for the Bowmore Commonwealth Fly Fishing
Championships held on four lochs – Loch Gorm, Loch
Ballygrant, Loch Kinnabus and Loch Finlaggan.
And
the Scotland Men’s team lived up to their billing by
thrilling the home crowd and emerging as Commonwealth
Champions.
Twelve teams contested the Championships - Scotland,
Scottish Ladies, England, Wales 1, Wales 2, Isle of Man
1, Isle of Man 2, Canada 1, Canada 2, Australia 1,
Australia 2 and South Africa.
Scotland’s men’s team – captained by Lochgilphead-born
John McCallum – caught an incredible 227 eligible fish
in the five competition sessions. The runners-up,
England, caught 190 and third-placed Australia 2 hooked
134.
The
individual competition was won by England’s Phil Dixon
with 66 eligible fish caught, followed by two Scots -
Robert Irvine (58 fish) and Ian Jones (57).
The
event finished with a celebratory dinner and prize
giving at Bowmore Distillery, supported by Argyll and
Bute Council.
Councillor Len Scoullar, Argyll and Bute Council’s
Islands spokesperson, said the championships had been a
fantastic coup for Islay.
It
has really put the island on the international map. I
have heard that the overseas teams were amazed by the
quality of the fishing,” he added.
They
were also thrilled by the welcome they received on their
arrival, and the hospitality of the islanders during
their stay.
Everyone on Islay pulled out all the stops, and the
result is a wonderful advert not just for the island’s
fly fishing, but for Islay and Argyll and Bute in
general.
I
congratulate all those who ensured the event was such a
success, and of course the Scotland team for their
victory.
Last
year’s Commonwealth Championships was held on the Tuki
Tuki River on New Zealand’s North Island. Scotland took
Team Gold with England taking Silver and the hosts New
Zealand Bronze.
Iain
Earle, Director of this year’s event said the event had
been a great success.
The
visitors to the Commonwealth Championship could not
praise highly enough the welcome, the hospitality and
the warmth shown by the people of Islay,” he added.
They
were all taken with the fact that the local primary
school children and teachers were involved, and really
put their heart and soul into the opening parade.
The
wonderful hospitality and the quality of the fishing
(with over 1300 brown trout recorded and released) was a
winning combination.
Everyone I spoke to said quite categorically that they
would return to Islay one day.
They
now know how we in Scotland’s fly fishing community feel
about the island, and why we visit three to four times a
year.
Medals
Here is the first glimpse of the newly cast and
official "Commonwealth Fly Fishing Medals". These
medals will be used at every Commonwealth match no
matter where it is held. We need to thank Jill Mandeno
(Chairman of Commonwealth Fly Fishing Association) for
funding the set up costs for these beautiful medals.
Each one measures approx 70mm across and will be
presented with an attached ribbon in the Commonwealth
colours, and of course the Country and venue engraved on
the reverse. |
