Coarse anglers gearing up for a busy domestic match calendar - Nigel Duncan
Coarse angling match fishing across Scotland remains buoyant with events taking place regularly this year, and the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling (SFCA) have published their dates for all of their matches.
The aim is to have the full final fixtures list published by March at the latest. With such a busy domestic calendar, the organisation have decided to run a series of evening matches on a canal venue and at Strathclyde Park next summer to try to provide more opportunity for individuals to fish events at natural venues.
Attracting more junior anglers into the match scene by running junior competitions on the car park stretch at Strathclyde Park over the summer school holidays is a key element in the initiative.
The junior events will be coach-led, and Gus Brindle, chairman of the SFCA, said they are suitable for everyone, irrespective of knowledge and experience. Any method – whip, waggler, feeder/leger and pole – can be used, but pole lengths will be limited to 10 metres. The SFCA plan to provide loan tackle and coaching support for youngsters who want to try match fishing and don’t have the tackle to do so.
Overall, 2025 was a quiet year for the match team. The original plan was to field a team in the European Championship in Slovakia rather than the World Championships in Bosnia and the team all booked holidays and made plans accordingly.
Unfortunately, low water levels in the lake in Slovakia meant the organisers decided to move two of the sections onto another venue where completely different methods, tackle and bait/groundbait would be required.
The lake was very shallow with pole and waggler being the main methods, while the new sections on the canalised river required big flat floats, heavy groundbaits and TDR and top 5s. This made committing to the event a logistical nightmare and it was felt that Scotland simply didn’t have sufficient bankside support to back the anglers to be able to compete effectively.
Scotland, revealed Brindle, were not alone in deciding to withdraw and, ultimately, with so many teams opting out, the organisers were able to accommodate all five zones at the original venue. Brindle said splitting of venues seems to be becoming the norm and the SFCA have filed a complaint with FIPSED (the International Fresh Water Sport Fishing Federation) as it puts smaller, unfunded nations at a significant disadvantage and is leading to many questioning their future participation.
Development teams were fielded, however, in the Celtic Cup which was hosted by Wales on the River Weaver at Northwich. Scotland ended up third on what was a very tricky venue that simply didn’t fish over the four days.
Brindle said Scotland, however, took a great deal from the event which saw Graham McOwat and Tyler McAlpine win their first caps and Brian Clark return to international duty after a long absence.
The Dunfermline-based chairman added: “It provided a great opportunity for the squad to come together and gel and for the newer/less experienced anglers to learn and develop skills that will stand them in excellent stead for future events.”
It also allowed Brindle to look at up-and-coming anglers with potential to fish at world or European level in the future, and talks will be taking place between the three national team managers over the coming months about slight tweaks to continue to build on this development pathway which seems to be paying dividends.
This year, the match team will focus on either the European Championships, which have yet to be confirmed but are expected to be in Ireland from 20 to 28 June, or the World Championship, in Rio Sorraia, Coruche, Portugal, from August 31 to September 6. Scotland will also compete in the Celtic Cup which is also expected to be in Ireland from October 8 to 11.
For the record, the reigning champions are Mark Lyons, Scottish National Champion; Rosalind Cassidy, Scottish Ladies Champion; Gus Brindle, Scottish Veterans Champion, Scottish Canal Champion and Float Only series winner; James Woodrow, Scottish Commercial National Champion; Myles Watt and Rosen Arsov, Scottish Pairs Champions; Steve Wood, Scottish Feeder Champion for the second year running; Brian Docherty, Scottish Match Angler of the Year.
Locally, the Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club are scheduled to host matches at Drumtassie near Blackridge this summer, and their competition calendar starts on May 2. Ten league matches are planned until September 19 and a rod and reel only match will be held on July 11 or 18. See their Facebook page for details or the matches and how to join the club.
Switching disciplines, and Kevin Lewis, manager of the Scotland Ladies Sea Angling team, continues his search for new recruits. Contact him on Facebook/Messenger or email [email protected].
The fourth match of six in the Edinburgh New Year Shore League is scheduled for Portobello Beach on February 13. Registration is from 6.15pm to 6.30pm at the Bridge Street car park EH15 1TG. Fishing is from 7pm to 10pm.