What a weekend and production put on by Gus Brindle working with the Liz Hobbs group to put on such a professional Angling match Final for the Course Fishers in Scotland. Over and above that credit must go Springwater Fishery owner Wullie and the volunteers who helped the anglers on the backside of the Loch to carry their gear round to their pegs and assisted with the weigh ins.
The Final started with a 4-30pm book in to the hotel on the Saturday prior to attending the draw at the marquee in Wellington Square in Ayr with drinks and buffet laid on plus entertainment in the shape of ' Starsky' and his group who had only went and won the battle of the Bands the previous evening in Ayr.
The draw took place on stage and was co-ordinated by Liz Hobbs herself the former British Water skier. With most people having practised and having a knowledge of the fishery the draw was fun and the patter was good as the favoured pegs came out. Liz would read out where you qualified and you had to inform her of your weight caught. Liz was gobsmacked as she runs Fishomania down south when Frank Smith announced that he qualified with a catch of 4oz and there was much hilarity in the hall as we all knew there was better to come. Come it didn't as it was glossed over so we thought.
With the draw finished tickets were handed out to those competitors that wished to attend the Status Quo after show party at the same venue that evening from midnight to 3am. All the competitors were very proffesional in the fact they renaged from taking tickets though Dangerous Dave was seen to jump in the air shouting 'Yes' when the offer of the tickets were announced but by the time he landed again he realised it was not a good idea.
With the draw over there was another few songs from 'Starsky' prior to all competitors going their own ways before heading for an early night. Myself and Frank Smith flagged down a taxi to head back to the Hotel for a couple of drinks and a meal. As luck would have it or not for Wullie the owner of Springwater Fishery the taxi driver knew Wullie and told us to remind him in the morning of his recent good deed. Wullie is a big character in Ayr and known for his generosity and used to be the Ayr United Mascot who ran about the pitch dressed up. Recently there was a Benefit Doo for an Ayr United member of staff which Wullie attended. As part of the fund raising there was an auction for a pair of Scotland tickets and Wullie decided that they would be his tickets. The price went to 600 quid before Wullie was successful. As he struted his stuff singing ' Wullie's going to Hampden ' imagine the horror on his face when someone told him the tickets were for the away leg in deepest Europe. Anoth 600 quid for flights.
A quick check at the breakfast table in the morning at 7-30am revealed that there had been no overnight casualties so it was off to the fishery for the 8-30am briefing and handouts of refreshments for during the match and a selection of baits courtesy of Dynamite baits. At 9am the competitors were allowed to go to their pegs and the venue had changed in the fact that an electronic leader board had been errected along with a presentation stage.
As per Fishomania it was to be an all singing dancing final with commentary for the onlookers and weigh ins every hour. The set up was that you had two nets, one to put your hourly catch in and one to store all fish caught. Sounds complicated but turned out to be okay in the end. With everyone set up the match got underway at 11am.
The first shock was the round the peg introductions remember the wee history of yourself you completed with your initial entry form, they come back to haunt some anglers big style. What happens in the final stays at the final and those who came along to watch would have had a few laughs. ' Ronnie McLeod is my hero '
It was at this point the GG was reminded of how he qualified for the event by Liz saying she saved it for the day.
During the first hour people were testing the water, we all knew that it was Tench that would win the prizes up for grabs on the day. we also knew that you daren't blank on the day so most had a shot in the margins. It wasn't long before Woody was up on his feet carrying on from his two days of practice playing big fish. The photographers were running round to get the photographs ( not on the bank ). They could have taken their time as there was 225 quid at stake and Woody was not for bullying his catch in. That fish put him into the lead in the heaviest fish category which was a Tench about 1.5kgs ( from memory as i dont have any figures ) Come the first weigh in the leader was Eric Morris with about 1.8kgs. Eric was to have a hard day equipment wise with a couple of pole breakages striking into fish one of which was a rather large eel rumoured to be in the 5lb category. All anglers caught fish and appart from the top two there wasn't much in it at the bottom.
Fishing was very hard on the day with a strong warm blustery wind effecting all anglers especially those pegged on the near bank. Myself during the first two weigh ins fished not to be last and then realised what the hell was I doing that for. The second hour seen Dave McAulley putting in his charge up the leader board with a couple of rather large tench which took him into the lead in both competitions. ( sorry I can't give you exact details as I had to fish ) George Glen took a photo of Del-Boys jottings which if posted will give the hour to hour details in full. Del was sat up at the top of the hill with Margaret Rae keeping her posted on Stewart's progress. A big thankyou to those who made the trip down to give some support as their yells of encouragement for me on a bad day perked me up although I was enjoying the full experience. The funny story Del told is after the second weigh in he turned to Margaret and updated her with Stewarts progress, no reply, he shoted it again, no reply, his heart raced and he shouted it at the top of his voice and wakened Margaret who had fallen asleep in the brilliant sunshine. It was great to see you out and about again Margaret back amongst friends.
As the day went on anglers began to catch the various big fish here and there around the bank but none could keep up with Dave McAulley who had done the business as the Tench moved down the rear bank. Woody had helped himself to one and lost a couple, Davy next in line helped himself to three and lost a couple so that left Mark Lyons waiting for his opportunity if they got to his peg prior to the end of the match. Arrive they did just in time for Mark to hook the heaviest Tench of the day costing Davie McAulley 225 quid and taking Mark from an also ran to 2nd place. Ian Whitson also caught a breem late in the day to bring him up the leader board.
A great day was had by all and the competition was deemed a great success with the 2009 qualifiers starting very soon. Now the story with some Pics.
Photo's to follow.
" Dont lead me into temptation... ill make my own way there "
by Tommy L » Sun May 25, 2008 10:41 pm 
1st Dave McAuley - 5.680kg
Heaviest Fish Mark Lyons - 2.700kg
Final Results
Looking forward to the next round of qualifiers already 
awell next year. its great that there is now bigger comp in scotland ass all i seem to read about in fishing mags is english matches. great well done all 
