2023 was a bit of a mixed season weather wise with the persistent high winds causing a headache for the competition competitors. Its always a hard call to make to cancel a competition but hopefully the anglers appreciate the early decisions to cancel in the interests of safety.
Local
Harray proved difficult at times but thankfully when Harray switched off Swannay switched on an produced excellent sport.
Fly fisherman of the year was the on form Sandy McConnachie with a final aggregate score of 139 pts followed by Ian Hutcheon with 127 pts ad Norman Irvine with 121 pts.
The boat pairing of Sandy an Ian accounting for seven of the fourteen competitions.
Intercounty
A change of venue to Clousta in Shetland , unfished by the Orkney team, was never going to be easy, and after day one the Shetland team were ahead ,with a shorter session the following day it was going to be a hard task . The fishing harder the second day and Orkney had it all to do ,but at the weigh-in Orkney had pulled off a great comeback to secure the win.
Shetland 34 Fish for 21Lb 9ozs Orkney 35Fish for 24Lb 12ozs
South Competitions
Two teams fished the Airflo Competition at Menteith in June and although neither made it through, there was valuable lessons learnt and the teams worked well together.
Orkney had three anglers getting through to the SANACC Scottish Final at Menteith Sandy McConnachie, Andrew Morgan and Alan McConnachie, no mean feat in this prestigious event. Sandy making the cut to get in the Scottish team and competing for his country in Ireland later this year.
Doo
Trophy presentation and meal was held at the Merkister and thanks must go to John Munson and the Merkister team for providing the venue and meal. A good night that was well attended and excellent craic.
LESLIE MILLER
VICE PRESIDENT