Spring 2024

Loch Internationals

Spring International

Lough Ennell, Ireland

24th May 2024

Scotland Team sponsored by

7plus7 Construction

Lake of Menteith

Fishers, Angus Angling, Seaguar,

Copperfields, Excel Group Scotland, Eden Ltd, Joseph Wood Plastering Specialist, Renovo Group, R Clouston Ltd, SIIS, Kitchens & Bathrooms by Coast, St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies. McKenzie Skip Hire, The Cornerstone Cafe

Spring International, Lough Ennell, Ireland, 24th May 2024

The fly fishing teams of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales travelled to Mullingar, Ireland for the 2024 spring international where Ireland were hosting the match on Lough Ennell. Conditions varied throughout the week prior to match day with a mix of sun, cloud, rain, strong winds, soft winds and flat calm. As always seems to be the norm the wind strength and direction on match day was different to the practice days.

Trout were had to find during the practice days although all four countries appeared to have identified the same areas that they expected to be productive when it mattered although their thoughts differed on the fly dressings most likely to be successful. The fly life on Lough Ennell was excellent with a mix of mayflies, buttons, olives, buzzers and caenis although rises to them were sporadic. The trout were good quality and on match day the longest trout was measured at 55.5cms with a total of three being over 50cms and a further 20 being over 40cms. The match and practice days were entirely catch and release with only trout of 35cms and over being counted. Points were awarded for each centimetre of length with an additional 20cm for each fish.

All fishing had to take a break between 1.50pm and 2.10pm which gave the competitors the opportunity to discuss the situation and reset for the afternoon. It appeared to be very close at this point with no obvious leader. Come 6pm the boats were back in the harbour and the team managers collected the catch returns before reporting to the weigh-in.

England were first to report their catch which was 3 trout for 130.1cms for 191 points and were followed by Ireland with their catch which of 8 trout measuring a total of 342.2cms yielding 505 points. Scotland were next up and their 13 trout for 587.9cm and 851 points earned them the gold medal. Wales had 4 trout for 172cms and 253 points.

Spring International
Lough Ennell - 24th May 2024
		Fish	Cms	Points
1st	Scotland	13	587.9	851
2nd	Ireland	8	342.2	505
3rd	Wales	4	172.0	253
4th	England	3	130.1	191
		28

The top individual rod and recipient of the Brown Bowl was a tie between Martin McCafferty of Scotland and Seamus O'Loughlin of Ireland who each had 2 trout measuring 93.5cm in total length earning 134 points. Martin and Seamus were the top rods for Scotland and Ireland. Top rod for England was Philip Shaw-Brown with two trout measuring 86.5cms in total and earning 127 points. Top rod for Wales was Graham Evans with one trout of 46cms earning 66 points

Scottish Captain Sean McCaffrey receiving the captains award

from IFFA President Paul Angell and IFFA Secretary Michael Callaghan

Martin McCafferty and Seamus O'Loughlin receiving the Brown Bowl

from IFFA President Paul Angell and IFFA Secretary Michael Callaghan

Sean McCaffrey receiving the team trophy

Martin McCafferty with the Brown Bowl for the top rod and the Silver Salver for the top Scottish rod

Back row from left: Michael Callaghan (IFFA Secretary, Neil Cockburn, Derek Keenan (manager), Calum Clark, Sandy McConnachie, Wullie Simpson, Martin McCafferty, George Telford, Tyler Hay and Paul Angell (IFFA President)

Front row: George Mackenzie (international secretary), Gregor Fleming, Kevin McCabe, Michael Ward, Sean McCaffrey (captain), Colin Macdonald, Peter Cameron and Ally Middlemass.

Scotland Team Individual Positions
Pos		Fish	Cms	Points1
1=	Martin McCafferty	2	93.5	134
3	Neil Cockburn	2	92.0	132
4	Michael Ward	2	90.5	131
6	Tyler Hay	2	84.4	125
7	Sean McCaffrey	1	52.5	73
9	Calum Clark	1	47.5	68
11	Ally Middlemass	1	45.5	66
14	Gregor Fleming	1	43.0	63
20	Colin Macdonald	1	39.0	59
23=	Peter Cameron	0
23=	Kevin McCabe	0
23=	Sandy McConnachoe	0
23=	Wullie Simpson	0
23=	George Telford	0