I couldn't help but notice that the England Team failed to win Gold at Chew despite catching the highest number of fish.

I've been involved with the Team since 2003 (my first cap was on Loch Leven that autumn) and it seems to me that this has been a fairly common occurrence. I decided to have a look at previous Loch Style International results since 2003 on the IFFA Site.

It makes interesting reading...

There have been 13 Internationals in that time and the number of Gold Medals won is as follows (in alphabetical order to avoid accusations of bias ):

4 England
1 Ireland
4 Scotland
4 Wales

This shows a fairly even spread of Golds between England, Scotland and Wales as you might expect, there really isn't a lot of difference between the strength of these nations.

Ireland are really up against it every time they cross the sea, as the fishing on the Irish Loughs is so different to the stocked rainbow waters we use in England, Scotland and Wales. It doesn't matter though as they always head the table in the popularity stakes and are always a top bunch of blokes. I actually think the Irish have exactly the right attitude to the Internationals and the rest of us take them too seriously. The Irish are also very difficult to beat in Ireland.

International results are based on total team weight. Look what happens when you determine the finishing order based instead on the number of fish caught:

8 England
2 Ireland
1 Scotland
2 Wales

Wow! It's as I suspected; the English really are the Master Race.

Seriously though, England have caught the most fish in 8 of the last 13 Internationals, and only won Gold in 4 of those matches. Also bear in mind that had it not been for the disqualified Welsh fish at Lyn Trawsfynydd last autumn, that would also have been another match where we caught the most fish and didn't get the Gold.

So what is the reason? Are the English a bunch of stockie bashers?

I can tell you categorically that during the 10 International in which I have been involved, the English Team has never purposefully avoided resident fish on the premise that they are harder to catch. Like the other 3 nations, we have targeted areas that we think contain the most fish which may equate to the same thing.

So there's only one logical conclusion that I can come to...

Wales and Scotland are incredibly lucky!

(Sits back and waits for the abuse )

Graham

Graham get a job you have far to much time on your hands A very analytical look but luck plays a big part in fishing some days you win some days you don't, but it's all good.

__________________
http://www.iflyfish.info

Perhaps the only way to remove this element of luck is for the event to be fished over a number of days and having short timed sessions.

Hi Graham, hope your well.................as Lyndsay says you have to much time on yer hands.....

We have a saying in Scotland "if my Auntie had Balls she`s be my Uncle"

I think this could apply to your post............

now stop stirring things and go catch some fish..........


Gus Shepherd

What alphabet do you use as in mine E is before I so England should be at the top.

__________________
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

A fair point, and very well presented. Will edit post.

As an Englishman, I'm obviously hesitant to put us at the top of any list because of the risk of offending someone.

Graham

I'm not at all interested in which nation takes gold to be honest with you all, however some of ya will have read my fish number verses bag weight post and know my feelings !!!

Do away with weights and bring on the numbers , i'm not bothered how i fish any match, be it dries down the middle, bung, pulling, straight lining, whatever i'll fish it, anglers should have strenghts in all methods and not just any one method, those that go out nymphing coz they carn't pull and those that go out pulling coz they carn't nymph, it's all rubbish, get out there and catch fish
And let the numbers rule
Frederick von B.

Totally agree stillwater angler, there is no more skill in catching bigger fish. A 2lb resident is as much of a chellange as a 4lber!! To catch a big stockie requires no skill at all. It's a fact that they don't fight as hard. Thats why the troutmasters is such a turn off, alot of its competitors think they are skilled anglers because they can catch big fish from a small hole!!!

I qualified for the airflo final some years ago because the second fish that i caught weighed 9lb. I came second in that qualifying round, the winner caught 14 and 3rd caught 9. I caught 4 overall but my big fish got me through. How can that be fair???? Numbers has to be the way forward.

what if you had a competition on male prowess with women ?

would it be just how many you could bed irrespective of the challenge or would you get more points for the particularly nice ones that might be fussy?

How about comp rules being an 8 fish limit with no time bonus but catch and release included up until you have killed your 8 fish.
Then you can select your fish and there is no fear of being done on time bonus.
This way it would pay off for targeting grown on residents and only the odd hustler bagging up on bigger stock fish.
Means you could fish all day and have a bit of a gamble as to whether you bag up and be done or stay out there and chance not having a full bag to weigh in.