5 Oct 06

The SCAL has had no league match fishing as such all season. Leuchars’s local matches have been well attended and Lossiemouth have traveled to England, attending the two RAFCAA main events held so far. We have also fished a mini festival over a full weekend at Leuchars where we also held the AGM.

The Leuchars team is made up of F3 squadron guys, mainly 43 Sqn and so is very reliant on the squadron being at home. This did not happen for most of the season and as a result, they failed to make either of the two main RAFCAA matches. Throughout the season, Kinloss had two RAF members who both work in the ARCC and did not travel. This could change, possibly for the inter-league, as three keen anglers have been posted in, unfortunately their future is a bit unsure as they are surface finishers and their trade is due to be civilianised.

Lossie had a good competition at Larford Lakes. The practice day on the Sunday was fished under match conditions as there were 7 matches on the lakes! This didn’t stop each of us putting about 80-100lb of small carp in the net though, game on for match day we thought. Monday on the “speci lake” saw one of our guys (mainly a pike angler) catch two 20lb carp plus loads of decent sized ones as well, brilliant, can’t wait for Tuesday. As usual match day failed to deliver on the promise of the practice days (why is that always the way?) but we did ok’ish.

The RAF Champs followed a similar vein to Larford, we could hardly get our bait through the shoals of piranha like roach on the Wootten Rivers stretch, loads of fish! Match day and I drew two pegs from the winner who had 25lb of bream, my neighbour had 1 bream, I had 9 fish for six ounces!!! Frustrating but still a good trip.

Service accommodation or more precisely the lack of it, is still a problem when trying to locate junior ranks with seniors. We spent a few days at South Cerney during the RAF Champs (64 man room between the three of us, no sheets with the bedding until I made a fuss aaaah the luxury) and I wouldn’t recommend it, although the catering staff were really helpful.

SCAL should be able to provide a team for the inter-league on the Ancholme next month and we are looking forward to what should be an interesting match.

Currently the approximate numbers for each club are:-

Station - RAF - MOD - Civilian

Kin - 5 - 2 - 8

Leu - 12 - 4 - 10

Los - 4 - 0 - 1

Andy Smith
CT
SCAL
Chairman