Uptide tactics dominated the event and the Welsh and Irish teams coped best with the method, leaving a less experienced England team, and a revived Scotland team, to reflect on the experience of valuable international fishing hours for future sorties. Fish caught were dominated by dogfish, but also included whiting, huss, rays, gurnards, dabs, smoothhound, and pouting.
Following on from England’s victory in Weymouth last year this was the sixth successive Home Nations Boat event to go the way of the host nation; proving that intimate knowledge of your home water is worth a lot. Scotland will now be keen to make it seven host victories in a row as they prepare for next year’s event.
Final result:
Wales 873
Ireland 739
England 718
Scotland 637
The top individual angler was Ireland’s Tony Santry who scored a perfect 200%
Ray Ashby, England Manager said:
“This was a difficult two days for all of the teams, but for our three newer team members this was valuable experience to further their international aspirations. Everyone gave 100% but on the day we played ‘second fiddle’ to two very experienced Welsh and Irish teams who performed consistently better over both days. Although this was a disappointing result, we can only move forward stronger from this experience.”
