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The Scottish Rotary National Grayling Fishing Championship was held on the 2^nd December 2006 on the river Teviot between Denholm and Nisbet. This event grew out of the inaugural event held last January and will now be an annual event on the Grayling Fishing Calendar. In the week running up to the event river levels and weather forecasts were being watched with a keen interest. Fortunately Friday saw an improvement in the weather and the river started dropping fast. By Saturday morning, although the river was still quite high and rather coloured, it was still definitely fishable, as the results proved.  These were some of the most challenging conditions for any Grayling fisher, and a true test of skill. Patience and experience paid off for those good enough to catch some cracking fish, and the rest of us learnt some good lessons!

 Since this was a National event, many competitors had travelled long distances, so the organisers had an evening get together for everyone on the Friday night at the Pheasant Pub in Jedburgh. The Tweed Foundation supported the event with a display and discussion about the Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative which was very interesting. There were also displays from the Grayling Society and the Salmon and Trout Association, who were also supporting the event. The final display was all about the Jedburgh Rotary Tsunami project, for which this event was started, showing some of the scenes which greeted the two Jedburgh Rotarians who went out there after the disaster.

 Registration also took place in the Pheasant Public House in Jedburgh from 8 o’clock onwards, then the draw for fishing partners and beats took place at 9.00 am.  Plenty of bacon rolls and coffee was consumed setting the competitors up for the day.

 The event was well attended with 39 entries from all over the UK participating.  Many having come to Jedburgh on the Friday night and were accommodated in local Bed and Breakfasts.

 With such challenging condition it was very creditable to have fish caught at all but by 4 pm when fishing stopped, 20 fish had been caught (measuring from 15 – 46 cm) measured and released back into the river unharmed.

 The Landlord of the Pheasant Pub generously provided everyone with a very welcome bowl of hot and very tasty soup while the results team sorted out who had won the prizes. The prizes were presented soon after, together with the draw for the raffle tickets which had been sold throughout the day.

 Results

 Overall Winner.           George Ashton 37 points with 6 fish

 Best Fly                       Jim Fairgrieve

Runner up Fly             Billy Davidson

 Best Bait                     Miles Cowell

Runner Up Bait           David Birbeek

Third Bait                    Robert Prenton

 Team Winners             Beamish Buzzers

 Largest Fish                George Ashton.           46cm

 Prizes were presented by Jedburgh Rotary President Mr George Miller, himself a keen angler.

 This was an event for everyone to enjoy. Despite the conditions, that objective was achieved. Just as important was the other purpose of running the event, which was to raise more funds for the ongoing support to help with repairs to the fishing boats damaged in the Tsunami disaster. This event is believed to have raised over £550 which is a tremendous total and everyone taking part helped make it a success. As the prizegiving drew to a close, the organisers of the event promised to be back for another competition in December 2007. We wish them every success.

 Acknowledgements.

 Thanks must go to Hawick Angling Association, Jedburgh Angling Association and Lothian Estates for donating freely the use of their water for the day.  Hardy Greys of Alnwick (fishing tackle manufacturers) generously donated a first prize of a £250 pound voucher. 

 To the organiser, Ian Davis and his committee.

 Thanks for donations and contributions also go to:

 BC Fishing Ltd, Jedburgh

Border Guns, St Boswells

Eoin Fairgrieve  (Junior Prize)

Forrests, Kelso

Hardy Greys, Alnwick

Hawick Angling Association

Jedforest Angling Association

Jedburgh Rotarians

Lothian Estates, Jedburgh

Mounthooly Fishings

Peter Croft

Pheasant Pub, Jedburgh

Sanfords Country Sports, Jedburgh

Shakespeare Tackle

W J Blair, Jewellers, Kelso

 

Scottish Rotary National Grayling Fishing Championship