Central Mainland & Shetland Times Trophy 20-4-24
It was no surprise that after the recent Arctic blast that only seven anglers braved the elements to turn out last Saturday for the first Shetland Anglers Association bank league competition of the season.
Competitors were squeezed into as much layers as possible – woolly hats and socks, wirsit ganzies, merino base layers, neoprene waders etc – as they huddled inside the Tingwall boatshed. As ever there was a bit of accessory envy as Tony Li eyed up a snug Mark Sandison in his new fleece lined joggers.
Tony didn’t have long to covet his neighbours trousers however as it was pointed out to him by competition secretary Billy Reid that he hadn’t paid his S.A.A. membership for the year. This would mean that Li would be disqualified from the competition before he even got started! There was a degree of panic and pocket panic from the Lerwick businessman as he searched for his elusive wallet. Luckily flyfishers are a tightknit group and an anonymous donor stepped in to cover Tony’s membership and ensure that everyone had the pleasure of seeing this finely tuned athlete compete in the opening event of the season.
It was great to see the young John Wishart and the more experienced Steven Leask competing in their first bank league competition for a while. There were various big hitters missing of course. Foremost on this list due to incapacitation and injury were James Henry and Harry Sandison. This led to a lengthy discussion in the boatshed about everyone’s various ailments and medical experiences. The list and stories seem to get longer by the year. Anyway everyone was unanimous in wishing James and Harry a speedy recovery.
Despite the Baltic conditions there was a definite air of optimism among the assembled crew. The Northerly gale of the previous day had died away and the forecast was for a relatively pleasant afternoon.
Competitors had a choice of all the main lochs in the Central Mainland from Petta Water, Sand Water and Benston in the North down through the mighty Girlsta to the lochs in the Tingwall Valley and South to the Sandy Loch, Trebister and Brindister. Most of these waters would see some action over the course of the day. As well as valuable league points on offer there was also the added incentive of the beautiful “Shetland Times Trophy” being up for grabs.
Despite having 14 lochs to choose from old adversaries Tony Li, Leslie Barclay and Mark Sandison still managed to get in a tangle while sprinting to their favourite fishy spot in Asta. Luckily Barclay had the good sense to give way to his younger compatriots and a potentially powder keg situation was averted!
A hard afternoon’s angling then ensued with some anglers fishing several locations in search of that elusive fish whereas others elected to stick it out in one venue.
At the 1740 weigh in it transpired that the initial gloomy predictions had been off the mark with some good baskets in evidence.
Taking first place and the Shetland Times trophy was Tony Li with eight trout for 7 lb, 3 oz. A super average. Tony’s top fly was a “Christmas Tree.”
Runner up was Billy Reid with nine fish for 6 lb, ¾ oz. taken mainly on an “Orange Half Hog.” Billy’s bag also contained the heaviest fish of the day at 1 lb, 8 ¼ oz.
Both anglers had made the astute tactical decision half way through the day of moving to the underperforming Tingwall.
Squeezed into third place by an ounce was Bobby Irvine who had elected to fish the unfashionable Griesta. Bobby’s basket contained eight fish for 6 lb, 5 oz. and he also had a big fish going 1 lb, 8 oz. Bobby had scored with that old favourite the “Soldier Palmer.”
Other successful anglers were Mark Sandison and Leslie Barclay.
John and Steven had retired through the afternoon for an early bath and no one could blame them.
The next bank competition is the ever popular “Pottinger Benston Trophy” which will be held on Thursday 9th May with an 1805 check in at the Benston Boat Park. This is closely followed by the “Spiggie” competition where flyfishers will also be competing for the “Antares Trophy.” This takes place on Saturday 11th May with a check in at the Spiggie Boat Park. Let’s hope it’s warmed up a bit by then!
It was no surprise that after the recent Arctic blast that only seven anglers braved the elements to turn out last Saturday for the first Shetland Anglers Association bank league competition of the season.
Competitors were squeezed into as much layers as possible – woolly hats and socks, wirsit ganzies, merino base layers, neoprene waders etc – as they huddled inside the Tingwall boatshed. As ever there was a bit of accessory envy as Tony Li eyed up a snug Mark Sandison in his new fleece lined joggers.
Tony didn’t have long to covet his neighbours trousers however as it was pointed out to him by competition secretary Billy Reid that he hadn’t paid his S.A.A. membership for the year. This would mean that Li would be disqualified from the competition before he even got started! There was a degree of panic and pocket panic from the Lerwick businessman as he searched for his elusive wallet. Luckily flyfishers are a tightknit group and an anonymous donor stepped in to cover Tony’s membership and ensure that everyone had the pleasure of seeing this finely tuned athlete compete in the opening event of the season.
It was great to see the young John Wishart and the more experienced Steven Leask competing in their first bank league competition for a while. There were various big hitters missing of course. Foremost on this list due to incapacitation and injury were James Henry and Harry Sandison. This led to a lengthy discussion in the boatshed about everyone’s various ailments and medical experiences. The list and stories seem to get longer by the year. Anyway everyone was unanimous in wishing James and Harry a speedy recovery.
Despite the Baltic conditions there was a definite air of optimism among the assembled crew. The Northerly gale of the previous day had died away and the forecast was for a relatively pleasant afternoon.
Competitors had a choice of all the main lochs in the Central Mainland from Petta Water, Sand Water and Benston in the North down through the mighty Girlsta to the lochs in the Tingwall Valley and South to the Sandy Loch, Trebister and Brindister. Most of these waters would see some action over the course of the day. As well as valuable league points on offer there was also the added incentive of the beautiful “Shetland Times Trophy” being up for grabs.
Despite having 14 lochs to choose from old adversaries Tony Li, Leslie Barclay and Mark Sandison still managed to get in a tangle while sprinting to their favourite fishy spot in Asta. Luckily Barclay had the good sense to give way to his younger compatriots and a potentially powder keg situation was averted!
A hard afternoon’s angling then ensued with some anglers fishing several locations in search of that elusive fish whereas others elected to stick it out in one venue.
At the 1740 weigh in it transpired that the initial gloomy predictions had been off the mark with some good baskets in evidence.
Taking first place and the Shetland Times trophy was Tony Li with eight trout for 7 lb, 3 oz. A super average. Tony’s top fly was a “Christmas Tree.”
Runner up was Billy Reid with nine fish for 6 lb, ¾ oz. taken mainly on an “Orange Half Hog.” Billy’s bag also contained the heaviest fish of the day at 1 lb, 8 ¼ oz.
Both anglers had made the astute tactical decision half way through the day of moving to the underperforming Tingwall.
Squeezed into third place by an ounce was Bobby Irvine who had elected to fish the unfashionable Griesta. Bobby’s basket contained eight fish for 6 lb, 5 oz. and he also had a big fish going 1 lb, 8 oz. Bobby had scored with that old favourite the “Soldier Palmer.”
Other successful anglers were Mark Sandison and Leslie Barclay.
John and Steven had retired through the afternoon for an early bath and no one could blame them.
The next bank competition is the ever popular “Pottinger Benston Trophy” which will be held on Thursday 9th May with an 1805 check in at the Benston Boat Park. This is closely followed by the “Spiggie” competition where flyfishers will also be competing for the “Antares Trophy.” This takes place on Saturday 11th May with a check in at the Spiggie Boat Park. Let’s hope it’s warmed up a bit by then!