Musician and Producer in Edinburgh
A great days fishing catching lots of Ide, from a great peg 8 on the Island Pond. Just managed to pip Woody for the win which is an achievement I’m very chuffed about. what can I do to keep up my winning record at Magiscroft in 2022? I know … just don’t go back again. Record intact!
Next morning Nelly drew another peg for me and said ‘you won’t believe it’ … peg 121! Woody showed me how he had fished it and it was pretty straightforward caster shallow, which at least I can do a bit. Really enjoyed bagging up and after a while thought maybe I could beat the magic 100lb barrier. Then later thought maybe I could catch as much as Woody. I weighed in 166lb which won the match, but somebody better at it could have had 200lb. Next time. My biggest ever match weight and one of my best ever wins in a 65 peg sell-out with many top anglers and venue specialists. Happy days!
Saturday evening joined a brilliant coaching session with Matty Dawes on High 15 which he had just won the match from and that was really enlightening. Sunday open I drew Jennys 11 which was really poor. First festival day I drew another poor one on Top 11 for 4th in my 5 peg section. 2nd day on High 48, which is a good peg, and though I fished a bit better, still came 4th but learning a bit (in pics above). Last day I was on High again, peg 46 and fished much better, caster shallow at 16/17m and nearly won the section, not quite. Much better, hard work but fun times.
I wrote a book! For my wonderful wife Karen.
This short ‘travelogue’ is not really a proper book, simply a present to Karen as a reminder
of our ‘unforgettable’ holiday in 2017. I planned the itinerary and organised all the travel.
Karen pretty much followed me around like a faithful, but happy puppy. She barely knew
where we were on any given day, let alone where we were going tomorrow. It was genuinely our ‘holiday of a lifetime’. So now she can read this to remind her. And me too!
xx George
Download PDF version or read below –
We had booked an 8 hour guided trip fishing for Sturgeon with Lang’s Fishing Adventures in Vancouver. I couldn’t really contain my excitement since aside from the eclipse and of course our romantic anniversary … I hoped this could maybe be one of my personal highlights of the whole holiday.
An early start in the morning, but worth it for the beautiful sunrise and view out over the Fraser River, but especially for the bountiful spread Lynne prepared us for breakfast. We felt we had to try all the tasty Canadian specialities she cooked fresh for us, and though we were full to bursting, it was exactly the solid preparation we needed for a strenuous day ahead.
We met our guide Matt and his jet boat at the boat launch on a canal off the main river. The Fraser River is very shallow in places so jet boats are best and that made for a thrilling fast ride out to the first spot for fishing.
What an impressive place to be, anchored in the middle of such a powerful river in the most stunning scenery. We didn’t catch in that first spot, so he moved the boat downstream to another deep hole. The Fraser River is so big and fast the 3 rods he set up for us needed a 24oz lead, along with 200lb braided line and hooks up to 10/0 loaded with Salmon pieces as bait.
After a couple of hours, including a few missed bites, Matt struck and handed me the rod, but with barbless hooks only allowed, that’s a risky time and the fish came off immediately. Matt promised they were there now so we stayed put. After another hour with Matt working hard rebaiting, a tentative bite came on the middle rod. After 3 steady plucks Matt struck and handed me the rod, an experience I’ll never forget for the sheer weight and power of what was on the other end of the line. The fish was obviously heavy, and Matt said ‘This feels like a really big one’ which didn’t calm my nerves as the fish moved backwards and forwards under the boat requiring some quick thinking from Matt to help me move from side to side.
Obviously bored with that, or maybe just realising it was hooked, the fish ran like a train downstream, taking line with ease against the tightest drag I’ve ever seen! After about 10 minutes of desperately trying to hang on and not be pulled in, I asked Matt how far the fish was away. Looking at the reel he said ‘about 200 metres, and there’s 400 metres on the reel’. When it stopped, that was time for Matt to release the anchor (cleverly attached to a buoy so we could go back) and follow the fish downstream while I reeled furiously to keep a tight line. When, eventually, we got there, I tried to get more line back and the fish came towards the boat, but then decided to run upstream again, pulling us with it, right back to where our buoy was and where we started.
This all took about an hour and my left arm, which had taken all the strain, was starting to give up. Matt said ‘you have to get the fish up to the surface so we can take it to the beach and land it’. Well I tried my best, but every time it came up I just couldn’t hold it there, so Matt’s bright idea was for him to hold it up, and for me to drive the boat to shore, which was fun, nerve wracking and frankly a relief.
After what seemed like an age, we made it to shore where we could properly admire this incredible creature in the shallow water. I held Matt’s tape measure on its nose and he ran it down to its tail. ’10ft 2in’ he whooped, ‘could be biggest of the year so far’. I was astonished and delighted, but mainly made up for Matt … his expertise led to this and would be a major feather in his cap and for Lang’s. This length of Sturgeon is estimated to weigh around 570lb!
A few quick pics helped by my lovely assistant Karen, we didn’t mind getting soaked in the freezing water, and the fish swam away strongly. What a fight, well the fish played me really, an incredible experience all round.
We went back out to the same anchor buoy and cast the rods back in … but the grip refused to return to my left hand so how would I play another? And how could I top that fish? So after a bit more than half of our paid for 8 hours I called it a day early and let Matt start his well-earned day off a bit sooner. I can’t quite believe this all happened to me? I’m not usually so lucky. Canada, and especially British Columbia, rocks by the way. What a beautiful setting for an unforgettable day.
(When we got home my story of catching the Sturgeon was reported in the Mike Kernan’s newspaper fishing column and won me the Daiwa fish of the week prize!)
I made a short video collage from video clips and stills!
http://luremaniac.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-good-days-guiding-on-skye.html
This weekend saw the SFCA & Magiscroft fishery hosting the annual ALL SCOTLAND competition in memory of Rab “Awesome” Crossan. The match was fished between the Island and Woodside ponds with 26 anglers coming out in memory of a great character not only in the Scottish match scene, but the International one.With Golden pegs 3, 15 & 27 on the Island and 6 & 17 on Woodside would the £587 go today? Let’s wait and see.
All to fish for as the all in was shouted at 11amWith clear sky’s and no wind it was anyone’s guess where the fish would be and with no wind to upset presentation all lines were in easy reach. There was fish to be caught and most started catching small stockies from the off. Best baits for the day seemed to be expander pellet although some caught on maggot with most deciding worm wasn’t really working.
As the day went on the fishing got a bit harder so working all your lines was important although being patient and not moving too quickly also caught more fish.On the Island Pond it was George Glen, Douglas Philips and David Joseph on the low numbers who were catching the bigger stamp of fish with Davie Corcoran (unbelievably fishing his 9th match in 10 days) on peg 11 catching over 50 of the new stockie Carp along with some F1’s and a few silvers. On the higher Island numbers it was Stuart Dalgleish, Colin McKerrell and Ronnie Ogilvie who started best catching small stockie carp tight over at 14m with nothing seeming to be caught down the track.
On Woodside, James Woodrow (again 9 matches in 10 days) and John Perella were going fish for fish on the low numbers with Heather Laurieston over on Peg 21 doing best on the high numbers.It was great seeing some old and new faces and a welcome to Matthew Waugh, James Brown and Dougie Campbell who joined as new members. Many thanks guys and we hope you enjoyed the day. It was also great seeing young Zoe Brooks fresh from her Scotland International Sea fishing callup and again although the fishing was tough it looked like you enjoyed the day. Just one Jnr taking part today in young Eamonn Obrien who fished for free today under the FED deal that Juniors don’t pay in these matches….so to all Juniors who fancy these matches, come along and give it a go. Well done Eamonn on your catch of 12lb.
On the team event 3 teams registered, Colmic Magiscroft, The Barbies and “the FED” pushing to see who would take the title. At the all out the points were counted with the Fed team consisting of John Perella, George Glen, Gus Brindle and Stuart Dalgleish coming out in top spot beating Colmic Magiscroft by a mere 0.5pts
1st – FED 31.5pts 2nd – Colmic Magiscroft 32pts3rd – The Barbies 46pts
Section winners … A – George Glen, B – Stuart Dalgleish, C – Ronnie Ogilvie, D – James Woodrow, E – Heather Laurieston
So…back to my headline….You Never Lose it. Overall winner on the day was ex Scotland International George Glen who fishing his 1st match in nearly a year came out not only as winner of the match but as he was on Golden Peg 3 he picked up the £587. George was a great friend and team mate to Rab Crossan for many years both at club and International level so he was a worthy and popular winner. Well done and congratulation to everyone who took part.
Overall top 5 … 1st – George Glen 42lb 1oz, 2nd – Stuart Dalgleish 25lb 5oz, 3rd – James Woodrow 22lb 1oz, 4th – David Joseph 20lb 0oz, 5th – Douglas Philips 19lb 8oz
Thanks once again to Magiscroft for hosting this great event and to all the staff and helpers who helped out with the shop/catering and with the weigh in. Good to see John Baird, Johnny Baird, Dave Richardson, Papa Doc and all the other enjoying the sunshine on the patio after the match
L-R Colin McKerrell, Daren Ferguson, Ian Whitson, Chris Paton (Captain), Davie Corcoran, James Woodrow, Ewan Weed, George Glen, Gus Brindle (Coach), Castelblaney Deputy Mayor
The competition was fished over two days on the White Island section of the Lough. Following two practice days fished in totally different conditions the weather for the weekend remained dry and, with phenomenal weights of roach being caught on both days the anglers were in full flow and there were plenty of very close battles to keep spectators guessing right up to the final whistle on both days. Indeed, with team members needing to catch between 120 and 150 fish in four hours the Scottish management team of Chris Paton and Gus Brindle were busy for the full two days passing information and adjusting tactics to keep the team focussed and catching consistently.
Due to the weather conditions during the two days of practice, the team plan was still evolving going in to day 1. The plan was to introduce 8 to 10 balls of groundbait containing worm and caster and a few dead red maggots on the pole line with 4 hand size balls at 30 mtrs on the waggler line; and then to top up whenever the catch rate slowed with small balls of groundbait and loosefed caster through the catapult. Best hook bait was double red maggot. After ending the first day in second place 3 points behind the Irish it was clear that we had got the plan almost right but felt that the fish needed more feed due to the numbers present and that we needed to get the bait down quickly to stop them coming up in the water. We therefore opted for a slightly darker groundbait mix for day 2, to put more caster and worm in the initial balls and then to top up with good handfuls of caster and balls of groundbait through a pole cup. We also found that when bites got difficult to hit, double caster on the hook laid just over depth often brought a run of best quality roach and also the odd skimmer bream. These changes proved to be the difference in what was an extremely close result on day 2 as the Irish caught more fish in many of the sections but of a small stamp.
A full copy of the team and individual results and weight for each day are below.
Scottish International Manager said, “After regaining the Cup at home last year we were determined to do our best to keep it. We knew however that it was going to be a challenge with both Ireland and Wales fielding strong teams and Ireland having the all important home advantage and knowledge of the venue. The Celtic Cup whilst fiercely competitive over the two days of competition is however extremely important as a development ground and our squad contained two new caps in Darrin Fergusson and Colin McKerrell, both of whom fished exceptionally well with Colin ending up as Top Jock with section wins on both days. The fishing was incredible with the 21 competitors banking 284 kg and 580g of fish on day one and 276 kg and 810g on day two, an average of over 13kg per angler per day. The Irish Federation, and particularly their manager Dick Caplice, must be congratulated for running an outstanding event which involved an enormous amount of effort to prepare the venue, and for the excellent hospitality we received everywhere we went in and around Castleblaney. This emphatic win is just what the squad needed and sets us up well for the forthcoming trip to Holland for the World Championship in Almere later this month and I am confident that if we fish as well there we will get a good result.”
| Points Day 1 | Weight Day 1 | Points Day 2 | Weight Day 2 | Points Total | Weight Total kg | ||
| 1st | Belgium | 16 | 14.700 | 12 | 18.470 | 28 | 33.170 |
| 2nd | France | 13 | 18.250 | 17 | 16.830 | 30 | 35.080 |
| 3rd | England | 16 | 16.260 | 16 | 16.480 | 32 | 32.740 |
| 4th | Ireland | 27 | 8.700 | 26 | 8.340 | 53 | 17.040 |
| 5th | Wales | 25 | 11.100 | 29 | 9.500 | 54 | 20.600 |
| 6th | Scotland | 29 | 7.330 | 26 | 8.260 | 55 | 15.590 |
| Total Points | Total Weight kg | |||
| 1st | Richard O’Connor | England | 2 | 6.800 |
| 2nd | Laurent Voose | Belgium | 3 | 7.640 |
| 3rd | Herve Beiber | France | 3 | 7.240 |
