Angling: Coronavirus puts Liz McLellan's Scotland dreams on ice for a year

Liz McLellan was looking forward to leading her country in the Home International.

Lothians angler Liz McLellan was looking forward to skippering Scotland for the first time in the women’s fly fishing Home International next month on familiar waters.

So much work had gone on behind the scenes to prepare for the tournament on the Lake of Menteith, near Stirling, that would have featured Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.

However, the global coronavirus pandemic has intervened and the event, which was scheduled for May 28, has been pushed back to the same week next year. Ireland, the planned 2021 hosts, have waived their right so that Scotland can do the honour.

Armadale-based McLellan revealed her team was desperately keen to land gold after earning a bronze medal almost 12 months ago. She was due to be joined by two other Lothians anglers – Edinburgh’s Dione Roberts and Lana Taylor – along with Fife-based Helen Philp. The same team, providing they are still available, will fish next year, although McLellan does not know if she will be captain next time round.

“The international board took the decision, but they had no option given the current situation,” she explained.

“We all miss our fishing, it forms a major part of my life, but we are all in this together.”

McLellan has not yet taken out her equipment and given it the once-over. That will come in the next few weeks. Currently, she is targeting one major project a day, plus dog walking and playing on a PS4.

She added: “The advice from the Government and the Scottish Anglers National Association (SANA) is that we must stay at home and stay safe and let us hope we can rid the planet of this awful disease.”

Meanwhile, all local waters remain closed including the Water of Leith, The Esk and also reservoirs like Glencorse, Rosslynlee, Bowden Springs, Pottishaw, Drumtassie, Loganlea and Harlaw.