MOTHERWELL angler David McAuley narrowly missed lifting Scotland’s richest fishing prize for the second time in two years today, when he was narrowly beaten into second place in the final of Ayrstrike 2009 by 0.9kg.
The top spot, and a prize of £3000 went to Ian Fewtrell from Wigan with a bag of carp, rudd, roach and perch totalling 3.21kg. Third place went to Derek Brady from Glasgow (1.93kg).
A mix of blustery wind and sun made conditions at Ayr’s Spring Water Fisheries difficult and fish weights were low. Positions were tight until the close. Fewtrell lost a tench in the third hour and thought this might cost him the competition, but continued to reel them in to secure victory.
The coarse fishing prize, now in its second year as part of the Burns an’ a’ That Festival, drew huge support from all over the UK with more than 200 anglers competing over 16 qualifying events for a place in the final and looks set to become an annual event.
Backers included Fish Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Coarse Angling and Daiwa Sports UK. Results:
Ayrstrike 2009 Final – 1, I Fewtrell, £3000, (3.21kg); 2, D McAuley, £100, (2.3); 3, D Brady, £60, (1.93); 4, D Corcoran (0.79); 5, C Hart (0.61); 6, J Woodrow (0.51); 7, D McLuskey (0.41); 8, I Whitson (0.36); 9, B Docherty (0.35); 10, E Weed (0.21).