The Scottish Youth Fly Fishing Team hosted the Home 4 Nations International at the Lake of Menteith on the 30th of July 2025, achieving a brilliant silver medal on home waters!
Despite practice conditions being extremely challenging with unseasonably high water temperatures and difficult fishing, the team showed exceptional resilience, determination, and unity, giving 100% throughout the entire competition.
Competition Results
The competition was fiercely fought, with Scotland narrowly missing out on the gold medal. Final standings:
Preparation, Pride, and Team Spirit
The squad’s success was built on intense preparation and fantastic team camaraderie. The team trained for five days leading up to the match, meticulously refining their methods, identifying the most productive fishing areas, and holding tactical debriefs each evening where they also tied flies for the days ahead.
The event was steeped in tradition, starting with a memorable moment on match day when the competing nations were piped to the boats by Scottish team member Fergus Murray.
Showcasing their success on the water, the team proudly switched to bright yellow caps after netting their first five fish, a unique signal of success to teammates and officials.
Individual Rod Success & Team Awards
Scottish anglers dominated the individual accolades presented at the Gala Dinner:
Looking Ahead: New Champion and the Road to Ireland 2026
Following the qualifiers held in August and October, Rory Stewart was deservedly crowned the Scottish Youth National Champion for 2025/2026.
The focus now shifts to the next international competition, which will be held at Loch Lene, Ireland, in 2026.
This campaign is expected to be financially challenging, with the estimated cost of the trip significantly higher than in previous years, sitting at approximately £26,000.
Sponsorship, Fundraising, and Thanks
Sponsorship is absolutely vital for the Scottish Youth Fly Fishing Team, covering essential costs such as hotels, training days, uniforms, equipment, and transport. Without external support, the financial burden placed on the athletes’ families would be considerable.
The team has already kicked off its fundraising efforts for the 2026 campaign with a successful event at Carbeth Fishery in Stirling. They plan to repeat the success of last year’s ‘Fishathon’ in 2026, alongside four further events planned across Scotland.
The Scottish Youth Fly Fishing Team extends its heartfelt thanks to the Murray Sharp Foundation for its continued sponsorship and invaluable encouragement, which helps these young athletes reach their goals and represent Scotland on the international stage.
