Hardy & Greys - Alnwick, England

Greys Team Wales - Shore Fishing Home Nations 2010

The 2010 Home Nations was hosted by the Scottish Federation on the most northern shores of the British Isle, Greys Team Wales Manager Mike Flynn sent this report... 

The welsh preparations for the event started in 2009 in the early qualifying rounds with over 60 welsh Anglers eager to participate in the international scene, with the teams assembled our next hurdle was the near 700 miles of driving to our destination, (normally we would travel to practice the venues two weeks prior, the distance became a factor in our decision not to travel two week earlier).

We set off in the early afternoon with Myself doing the longest stint of the journey arriving in Peterhead in time to sample a fine Scottish breakfast, we then located the complex we were staying unfortunately we could not book in early so it was off to explore the beaches, we were soon eager to get out the rods but the need to rest was paramount.

Eventually 3/5 hours later we had unloaded the gear had our rest and it was off to practice the beaches, sure enough we were not to be disappointed plenty of fish but the quality was not as good as thought   ,   a return to base to recharge the batteries in readiness for the next days fishing.

As we were not allowed to practice on the main beach we set off to a different location but similar in nature to the main event beaches or as we thought conditions were perfect  and fish were plentiful with a few unexpected sea trout thrown in a sight we used to see on the north Wales beaches until the dreaded gill nets took over.

Four hours later we were back at the complex and the preparations for day 1 of the official event were in hand

On the morning of the event Greys had provided the team with clothing from the Apollo range and must say they really looked the part.

Day 1

We were on the western end of Rattray bay the target fish were flounder our anglers were off the mark with all catching steadily, as the hours passed it wasn't making the best of reading, we were not having the luck, Phil's catch rate was better than all in his zone unfortunately a majority of the fish were undersized ,and this patterned continued to the end of the match

Day 1 results England 18 Scotland 16 Wales 12 Ireland 5 

We had much too do the team spirit was not as it should be so much expectation we did not expect the results to be so poor despite so much confidence, I considered the options available to me and deliberately kept the team sheets back until late and decided to ring the changes, hopefully the other teams would remain in the same zones

Day 2

The team were issued with their fish cards at the breakfast table all change eh manager rang out of Harris's lips,

Would the change lift the spirit? The difference to the team spirit was immediate like throwing a switch,  the fishing on  the second day was the northern end of the bay  with huge numbers of fish expected and in Zone 1 we were not to be disappointed but it was Ireland who had the bit between their teeth , we finished in second place  with England in third

Zone 2

Dave was slow to start we agreed a complete change to tactics and soon Dave was chasing the leader of the zone fish for fish , this was going to be a close run zone we snatched the lead from England  at  the end of the match ( "not over the fat lady sings sprang to mind") 

Zone 3

The fishing really became slower as we headed up the beach Steve continued with his tactics and sure enough the perseverance paid off and took the zone

Zone 4

This was the worst zone on the beach Alan ended third but on fish count we had 1 more fish but not enough to improve our position

Zone 5

Alan Hughes was the first man in the zone and really put up a fight and did not give up until the end , when you need a run of luck to be with you it sadly was going to be his day he again tied on the same number of fish but the length was not on his side and given the last few days Alan won the private sweep we had each with the biggest fish each the luck had eluded him

The results

We had two zone wins a second, third and a fourth not enough to overhaul England's day one result but it was enough to improve our position and take the silver medal ,

As a Manager Gold is the main prize and Silver is second best but on Saturday I feel the team produced a fantastic result and could ask no more .

Pictures:

Greys Sponsored Welsh Shore Angling Team

Team Wales Manager Mike Flynn