What a strange feeling tonight on the eve of the Rivers International on the River Wear............I find myself posting on the forum instead of tying flies and preparing casts and double checking my gear.

I have been fortunate enough to have fished this event each year since 1998 except for 99 and 02 and although I have been blessed with a 11 week old son, I must admit that my mind, tonight, is elsewhere.

So, what will be happening at this moment?.........my guess is that the Captains' meeting is taking place. The anglers will be eagerly awaiting the return of their Captains and Coaches, who will be just as eager to divulge the details of the draw.

It is usually about 11pm before this takes place, in the meantime some will be making their final preparations whilst others will be relaxing supping a few beers.

Tomorrow morning, they will awake following a night of light and restless sleep. The previously appealing breakfast, although still digested for energy purposes, will be viewed as a chore. The greeting of officials will, again, be a chore..........far more important, will be the identification of the controller - their best friend for the next 3 hours or so.

The most experienced will be nervous, although they won't show it, they will be reassuring the less experienced and the first timers who, despite what they may say, will be absolutely sh1tt1ng themselves............they will be frightened of 'letting the side down'.

Following the eternal journey to the Beat, the final checks will be made and eventually the euphoria of qualifying will be dwarfed by the overwhelming feeling that they are now fishing for their Countries.

Each and every one of these guys will be so proud of their achievements, safe in the knowledge that they are amongst the elite of competition anglers.

Good luck to them all but.......................C'MON WALES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Bugsy

__________________
KEEP CZECHING 'EM

might pop down and see whats happening as i'm only 20 mins away

Good sentiments, well expressed.

Nice one Bugsy.

PLG............be careful, that's how I started

If you can you must go, as you will witness some exceptional anglers. Watch them carefully and you'll marvel at their prowess, but be mindful of the word 'logical' and of the term 'common sense' as you analyse the events of the day

WF........thank you, I'm sure you'll agree that it's easy to express and portray a subject which is close to the heart


Bugsy

__________________
KEEP CZECHING 'EM

Any news on the results yet?

England have won - Davey Parker was top rod I think. Got a short message just now.

England 1st
Wales 2nd
Scotland 3rd
Ireland 4th

The International Champion was indeed Davey Parker, whilst Jonathan 'Celtic Flycraft' Williams was a very close second..............same number of place points but with less fish - not bad for his first attempt.

I think, but stand to be corrected on this one, that Jonathan got the largest fish trophy???

Roll on next year, providing of course, that I can qualify.

Just to follow on from the original post................So, what will be happening at this moment?...........they'll be getting sh1t faced


Bugsy

__________________
KEEP CZECHING 'EM

Well done to England, who was the top scottish rod?

Englands Davy Parker and Peri Karageorgopulos ( Honest!) both shared the biggest fish with Grayling of 39cm.

Well done England

The most experienced will be nervous, although they won't show it, they will be reassuring the less experienced and the first timers who, despite what they may say, will be absolutely sh1tt1ng themselves............they will be frightened of 'letting the side down'.

never a truer word spoken m8 thats class bugsy been there done that many a time cant relax untill that first fish slips over the rim

__________________

FEAR NO FISH JUST THE WIFE
http://www.sunburstinternational.com/