Team Ireland attend the Fips-ed 11th World Championships Carnivorous Artificial Bait Boat Angling

Team Ireland Predator squad recently returned from the 2018 championships held on Rutland Water in the Midlands, England.

L-R Back Andrew Powell, Simon Gibson, David Dennis, Jacek Gorny Front Colin Rutherford, Tomek Kurman, Steven Powell
L-R Back Andrew Powell, Simon Gibson, David Dennis, Jacek Gorny Front Colin Rutherford, Tomek Kurman, Steven Powell

The week-long trip aw the seven mad squad take advantage of some good fishing on Grafham Water whilst the Championship venue was closed.  An enjoyable two days was spent in search of Zander (a new species for many of the team) and large perch and pike.  The venue didn’t disappoint and produced some large bonus bream and a PB for Jacek Gorny. The team welcomed the warm hospitality from the rangers, staff and fellow anglers at this managed water.

Onto Rutland and the warm sunny weather was rapidly deteriorating as the team explored the water on Thursday and Friday with variables catches.  Apprehension about anchorage were overcome with the tool box to customise the boats and attach the spot lock. The boats predominantly used by game anglers on these trout waters were all uniform in size and thus the same for everyone with 5hp engines. Fair play to the South African and the USA teams who had to purchase/hire equipment on arrival to compete.

Jacek Gorny
Jacek Gorny

Day one of the championships saw the championships team, selected through a series of qualifiers earlier this year, Tomek Kurman & Jacek Gorny and brothers Steven & Andrew Powell take to the water.  Squad members David Dennis, Colin Rutherford and Simon Gibson assumed shore support and volunteered as stewards with one angler stepping in each day. The Ireland team got off to a good start; against 40mph winds and tough fishing they produced 22 fish and 27,087 points for 6th position.  With the two pairs together ranked 13th & 14th they headed into competition day two in high spirits. Concerns about manoeuvring around the catamaran racers were quickly overcome with persistent and very cold rain making conditions much harder than Saturday.  This combined with a change in fishing area for one of the boats left the team unable to capitalise on the good position and whilst many fish including a good number of zander were caught, the total number caught of qualifying size was lower leaving the team to finish 10th.

Andrew Powell
Andrew Powell

International Predator Team Manager, Tomek Kurman, reports: –

“I am very proud to once again present Team Ireland on the world stage, a team who work well together on and off the water and for their support of the entire squad before and during the championships. Angling at International level is tough but rewarding.  Each year we visit different countries fishing a variety of venues and constantly learn from these trips.  Of course, we want to win but the knowledge acquired, and the camaraderie of the participating teams all contributes to a great experience.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank the NCFFI who cover the entry fee and contribute to travel costs, to our friends & families who helped by taking part in our prize draw and to our invaluable sponsors who keep us kitted out on the water Duo Hook, Baltic Lifejackets, Dennetts Outdoor Ltd, Strike-Pro, Vass Waders & Rainwear and Costa Sunglasses.

Also, to FIPS-ed and the Angling Trust competition organisers who showed us two fine facilities for anglers with jetty-side rest rooms, parking, tackle sales and cafeteria.  Roll on South Africa in 2018!”

Whilst the 2018 boat team has also been selected to fish the next World Championships in February 2019 at the World Games in South Africa, preparations are already underway to provide a series of qualifiers to select the 2019 Bank and 2020 Boat teams throughout 2019.  Artificial bait lure angling is huge in Europe but still growing in Ireland.  The NCFFI are keen to encourage more into this sport and international competition.

Ahead of the announcement of the qualifiers expressions of interest are invited from those who may be interested in both boat or bank disciplines, visit https://www.ncffi.ie/expressions-of-interest-lure-angling-qualifiers.

A full gallery of images from the championships is available at www.ncffi.ie/gallery