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Orkney Trout Fishing Association Celebrate the 2011 Season

2011 Trophy winners from left to right: J.Munson, M. Russell, A.Flett, N.Irvine, C.Sutherland, I.Hutcheon, J.Adams, A. Brough, A.Brough, J.Harcus, J.Leslie

OTFA anglers, partners and invited guests gathered at the Merkister Hotel for their Annual Dinner and presentation of trophies last Saturday night. President Sandy McConnachie opened the proceedings with a resume of the season past, a very successful one for the OTFA with a few notable milestones on the way. 2011 saw the first SANACC National qualifier held in the County, on Harray in May and the Spring International returned, again on Harray, in June, both of which were a resounding success. For the first time in its history in competition, the OTFA had 2 teams at the Anglian Water Airflo International Final at Rutland Water in October, with one team invited annually and the second team having had tremendous success in the Scottish heats and final on the Lake of Menteith in July.

Jim Harcus and Jack Leslie Top rods for 2011


Guests then enjoyed a superb meal chosen from a full menu, brimming with the finest local produce and following a round of applause in thanking the hotel staff, Competitions and Entertainments Convener, Brian Thomas started the presentation of trophies, ably assisted by John Munson. This year, the trophies were presented by Jacqueline Leslie. There were a few points of note, Agmund Flett was delighted to win his first ever trophy in the Brodgar League, where Jack Leslie almost swept the boards winning all but two of the competitions, Eddie Barnett lifting the other one. In the Fly Section, the trophies were spread about a bit more, but it was Norman Irvine who went away with an armful for his basket of trout in the Any Loch competition which included a trout of 6lb 7ozs, which won, amongst others, the Penman prize, the first time for many a year. The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Jim Harcus on receiving the Fly Fisherman of the Year Trophy; nobody in the OTFA was more deserving of the accolade.
The night was concluded with the raffle, organised by Laurel and Hardy, aka, Munson and Adams, who entertained the crowd with their inimitable banter.
  KK

 

Spring Social evening kicks off the 2011 season

OTFA members spent a very enjoyable evening at the Merkister Hotel last Friday, where they held their annual Spring get together. Competitions and Entertainments Committee Convenor, Brian Thomas had organised a very entertaining night which commenced with a DVD highlighting Rutland Water dry fly fishing. There then followed a talk from Brian Thomas himself on his angling life as it were, from his formative years ,post war coarse angling in the canals and rivers in Derbyshire, to his retiring to Orkney a few years ago. Everyone was enthralled and amazed at the amount of fly fishing Brian had enjoyed at the very highest level of our sport, fishing for England in what was probably their most successful competition years, at Home, European and World Championship levels, with many personal highlights along the way. Second individually and team gold in the World Championship in Tasmania and being presented to HRH the Queen at Buckingham Palace following this being his most memorable.


Malcolm Russell then presented a very challenging but enjoyable quiz, sponsored by WS Sinclair’s in Stromness, which had everyone thinking hard. The picture round was especially good and it was amazing how wrong you could be with the fly patterns, locations and lochs.
Fly dressing demonstration on the night was by Norman Irvine who gave a brilliant demo on the qualities of an innovative new vice system, the Norvice. Norman turned out first class flies with incredible speed and dexterity, showing off the advantages of the vice system to its highest potential. The Hedgehogs and various other patterns he dressed were then added to an impressive array of prizes to be raffled. Thanks to all who contributed to the raffle, especially Sandy McConnachie for his Swannay Aces, Norman and Andrew.
Colin Sutherland had produced a map of Harray, boxed off, where you had to guess where the boat was. Ian Hutcheon successfully figured that one out. Thanks to Colin for all his hard work and everyone else who put the time and effort in to making it a good night, the C&E fund benefitted to the tune of over £200. The Merkister Hotel then produced a splendid supper which rounded off the night nicely.


With the competition season just less than a week away, and fishing already well under way in general, it would be an appropriate time to highlight some very exciting events taking place in 2011. Top of the bill is the Home International Fly Fishing Championships to be held on Harray over the 7, 8, 9, and 10th of June. This prestigious event was last held in Orkney in 1985 and, with a lot of hard work from the OTFA, the International Committee were persuaded that it was time that they took the Spring International back to Orkney and Harray in particular, to showcase the world class fishing we enjoy here. So, in early June, 56 of the UK’s top anglers, representing the 4 Home countries will be here for the week to see who can come out tops on Harray. The whole weeks fishing will be done on a catch and release format. This event also requires a serious commitment from OTFA members who are required as ghillies for the week, this and numerous other tasks are being organised by an International subcommittee coordinated by Malcolm Russell, and things are well on track, all we need is some help from the weather gods for that week. Full coverage of the run up to, and the actual event will be covered by the OTFA web site at www. orkneytroutfishing.co.uk and the local  and national media, and national angling press.