2024 Champion of Champions
Champion of Champions
2024 Champion of Champions
Sponsored by The Lake of Menteith
Snowbee
My Fishing Flies
Glencairn Crystal
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Angus Angling
McLanachan Transport Ltd
Champion of Champions Final
Lake of Menteith - Friday 4th October 2024Sponsored by The Lake Of Menteith, Snowbee, Glencairn Crystal, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Angus Angling, McLanachan Transport Ltd and My Fishing Flies.
The weather was kind to the competitors for the Champion of Champions on Friday 4th October with overcast skies throughout the day and a light wind that gave almost perfect conditions. Some light rain did get through later in the day. Sixty anglers set off around 9am and it looked like they had been finding fish in most areas of the Lake in their practice sessions as the boats spread out quickly over the water. The top six anglers from each of the ten Saturday night heats of the Scottish Club Championship qualify for the Champion of Champions and should any angler be unable to take up his spot then the seventh angler from that heat is offered the place.
The match was fished to a two fish kill per angler followed by catch and release with 2lbs being awarded for each returned trout. Heavy fish were capped at 4lb. The competitors caught a total of 498 fish of which 119 trout weighing 353lb 15.4oz were retained and 379 trout were returned. Of the retained trout 28 were capped at 4lbs. One of them was over 6lbs, nine were between 5 and 6lbs and a further 18 were between 4 and 5lbs.
The presentation dinner was held at the Karma Lake of Menteith Hotel with the prizes being presented by Quint Glen, manager of the Lake of Menteith Fishery. During the heats, semis and finals of the Scottish Club Championship and Champion of Champions each angler is asked to donate £1 and along with the proceeds of raffles held at the dinners it is given to the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity. At the Champion of Champions £83 was collected from the £1 donations and £511 was raised at the raffle.
Top rod and the 2024 Champion of Champions was Joseph Wood of Albacats. Joseph had 24 trout for 48lb 3.4oz and received the first prize of £250 provided by McLanachan Transport, a box containing approximately 150 flies provide by My Fishing Flies, a voucher for a 50% discount provided by Snowbee and of course the trophy and a gold medal. Joseph had a very successful end to the 2024 season and in addition to being the Champion of Champions he was in the Scotland team that took the gold medal at the autumn international where as an individual he was 10th overall. The following week he was 24th in the Scottish National Championship and the week after that he was in the Albacats "B" team that were third in The Scottish Club Championship.
photo: Joseph Wood receiving the trophy
from Quint Glen
Close behind in second was Gregor Fleming of Albacats with 21 trout for 45lb 3.1oz. He received a £100 prize, a 40% discount voucher provided by Snowbee and a silver medal. Gregor has also had a successful year having been in the Scotland team that took the gold medal at the spring international. He finished a close third in the Scottish National Championship thereby qualifying for the 2025 Scottish teams and like Joseph he was in the Albacats "B" team that was third in the Scottish Club Championship. Gregor has an incredible record in the Champion of Champions having qualified for the final in at least 8 out of the last 15 years. He was the Champion of Champions as a youngster in 2009 and more recently he was 3rd in 2022 and 5th in 2023.
photo: Gregor Fleming receiving his
prizes from Quint Glen
In third place was Alan Steven of Tartan Tyers with 16 trout for 36lb. Alan received the £100 prize, a 30% discount voucher provided by Snowbee and a bronze medal. Alan recently finished 18th in the Scottish National Championship thereby qualifying for the 2025 Scottish teams. He was in the Tartan Tyers team that finished 10th in the Scottish Club Championship and is no stranger to the Champion of Champions having finished a close third in 2016.
Alan Steven receiving his prizes
from Quint Glen
The Scottish Club Championship committee wish to thank the Lake of Menteith management, My Fishing Flies, Snowbee, Thermo Fisher Scientific, McLanachan Transport, Glencairn Crystal and Angus Angling for their support of the Scottish Club Championship and the Champion of Champions. The efficient running of the heats, semis and finals requires good communication with the competing clubs and the committee wish to thank the club secretaries for the help provided by them throughout the season. We are fortunate to have such good natured competitors taking part in the championships and their patience, particularly at the weigh-ins is appreciated.
