Captain Kevin McCabe predicted that the star-studded Scotland team would claim gold in the Autumn Fly Fishing International, and his men delivered in style.
The 14-strong team romped to victory at Llyn Clywedog in Wales with a stunning catch return.
The Tartan Team hooked into 236 fish on the day for over 484lb to win by a canter. England were runners-up with 159 fish for more than 326lb with Ireland third with 127 fish for 263lb and Wales fourth with 105 fish for 219lb.
Top rod was Michael Lowe with 35 fish followed by Tyler Hay on 27, Thomas McMillan with 21 and Ronnie Gilbert and Ben Robertson from West Lothian both accumulating 20 trout.
Six of the top ten anglers on the day wee Scots and the most successful patterns were on the bung and boobie bashing. Tom MacTaggart, secretary of SANACC (Scottish Anglers National Association, Competition Clubs), said: “Things worked out on the day.”
The victory continues a run of success for the Scotland side who not only successfully defended the Autumn Trophy but have won the last three internationals, the Autumn, Spring and the Autumn again.
McCabe (pictured), who owns an Edinburgh-based construction company and is from Cousland in Midlothian, is a former Scottish National Champion, and celebrated the big win in his 16th appearance for the national side.
Also included in the team were Derek Pozzi (Thalassa AC) from Leslie in Fife, a three-time winner of the National Championship and the current holder, and Ben Robertson (Phoenix FF) from Whitburn.
The victory continues a run of success for men’s teams as the Stillwater Bank team also won gold at their Home International at Largs last year and the four-strong Menteith Ospreys, and Pozzi, Crieff-based Peter Auchterlonie, Ronnie Gilbert from Crookedhom near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire and Hamilton-based Martin McCafferty (Future FF) recently won the inaugural Greys Loch Style Championship at the Lake of Menteith with competitors from all over Britain.
Scotland’s squad for the Autumn international included three members from Lintrathen FF near Kirriemuir and McCabe said that this was the best team ever assembled and he was confident of victory. He was proved right.
Scotland: Kevin McCabe (Change FFAC), Derek Possi (Thalassa AC), Peter Auchterlonie (Menteith Ospreys), Martin McCafferty (Future FF), Ronnie Gilbert (Menteith Ospreys), Ben Robertson (Phoenix FF), Scott Aitken (Tartan Tyers FF), Tyler Hay, Kevin Neri and Chris Mccallister (all Lintraten FF), Michael Low (Menteith Ospreys), Thomas McMillan (Dalry Garnock AC), Joseph Wood (Bridge of Weir AC) and Grant Sutherland (Perth RASC AC).
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