Brothers contribute to Scottish fly fishing victory
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Alan and Kevin Porteous travelled to Bewl Water in Kent where they met up with the rest of the team whose high hopes of doing proved well founded.
The 28 boats set off, splitting roughly into three groups, with one group heading for Canoe Club corner; another heading for Bewl Straight; and the third group making for Hook Straight.
Reports coming in from observers indicated that the ‘blue caps’ were seen lifting more trout than the others.
When the Scottish contingent finished their stint, there were bags of nine from Peter Auchterlonie, Andrew Glasgow and Kevin Porteous, while Kevin McCabe had seven; Tom Burnett had five; Ray Anderson, Craig Osborne and Jock Kettles four each; Dugald MacGilp and Willie Cowan three each; Brian Mackenzie and Alan Porteous had two apiece; and Ronnie Glass (captain) and Scott Miller one each.
England were first to weigh-in and had 42 fish for 79lb 8.5oz. Next came Ireland with 21 fish for 42lb 3.5oz. Scotland came to the scales next and had 63 fish for 127lb 14oz.
Auchterlonie’s nine trout, which tipped the scales at 20lb 5oz, won him the Brown Bowl as the top individual and the Phoenix Silver Salver as the top Scottish rod.
Wales were fourth to the scales and had 32 fish for 61lb 11.5oz, with team member Richard Hooper catching the heaviest trout at 3lb 3oz.
This was a very convincing win by Scotland, with four rods in the top five and nine in the top 20. To beat England on their home water by such a large margin was a major achievement.
Kevin Porteous, representing Dounreay Fly Fishing Association, finished the match in second equal place. Kevin, who was drawn with England’s Denis Symonds, took seven of his fish on FAB’s fished static.
Kevin’s individual performance secured his place in next year’s international, which will be fished in either Ireland or Wales. His trip was part-funded by Caithness Sports Council.
