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Lady anglers offering their support
Signs of things to come
Helen Philp teaching at Pottishaw on one of
the recent Learn to Fly Fish eveningsArchie invites
you to go fishing
Hibs new summer signings add versatility and a goal threat to squad
By STAFF REPORTERARCHIE FERGUSON invites anybody
interested to take part in free fishing
alongside some of the country’s top
anglers and said there is a possible future
opportunity to represent Scotland at
world and European level.
He is the press officer for the The
Scottish National Fly Fishing League
(SNFFL), Scotland’s internationally
recognised body, tasked with team
selection for the World, European, World
Masters and Five Nations fly fishing
championships.
They are looking to recruit guest anglers
to support their competition days.
He said: “If interested, you’ll be invited
to fish two of four sessions with one other
angler from Scotland’s Premier League.
“Guest anglers will be expected to fish
to Fips-Mouche, International Sport Fly
Fishing Federation, rules, and may be
asked to fish once or twice throughout
the season.
“It would also be a great opportunity to
experience competition at this level and
even provide an opportunity for inclusion
in future leagues.”Archie would appreciate a brief description
and a summary of your experience and
contact him at [email protected]Hiberinian FCBy JOHN HISLOPNEW SIGNING, Adam Le Fondre aims to
score his 300th career goal with Hibs.
Le Fondre started his professional career with
Stockport County, his local team, before spells
at a number of sides in the English Football
League - scoring goals everywhere he played.
He is potentially best known for his time at
Reading, with whom he was promoted to the
English Premier League under the leadership of
a familiar face.
During his first Hibs interview, ‘Alf ’ detailed
how the move materialised after a message
from Hibs Director of Football Brian
McDermott, his former manager with the
Royals, after he recently scored a goal in a game
for former club Sydney FC against Western
Sydney Wanderers.
“Out of the blue he texted me saying‘how are you doing?’”
“I said ‘great thanks’ and talks progressed
from there. I spoke with him and the gaffer and
it worked out well because I’m here now!
“Conversations with Lee Johnson were
also really good. My last game in England
was actually against his Bristol City team,
we drew 2-2.
“His teams are always very attacking, the
strikers always score lots of goals.
“I’m still hungry and also willing to help the
young players with a bit of knowledge here and
there. The aim is to score plenty of goals!”
Hibs have also signed left-back Jordan Obita.
The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal with
the Club having left Wycombe Wanderers this
summer. Hibernian hold an option to extend
his contract by a further season.
A naturally left-sided player, Obita is
comfortable at both left-back and left-wing andadds great versatility to Lee Johnson’s First
Team squad.
Our new man has made over 300 career
appearances to date, spending 10 years around
the Reading First Team, mainly featuring in the
English Championship. During his time with
the Royals, he was also named their Players’
Player of the Year.
Last season he made 34 appearances for
Wycombe Wanderers in the third-tier of
English football, predominantly starting at
left-back.
On the signing of Obita, Hibernian FC
Manager Lee Johnson said: “We’re excited to
bring a player of Jordan’s experience to the
Football Club.
“He gives us extra options all the way up the
left hand-side and his ability from set plays will
add an extra dimension to the squad. We look
forward to working with him.”By NIGEL DUNCANHELEN PHILP, chairwoman of
Scotland's ladies fly fishing team,
urged women thinking of casting a
line to do so.
The team are recruiting and have
started a buddy system. Some of
the team, who are knowledgeable,
are happy to take somebody out
who lives in their area and spend a
bit of time with them.
Philp stressed that they are not
giving potential anglers tuition, just
giving them support.
If anybody is interested in the
buddy scheme then details are on
the Scottish Ladies Angling
Association website.Helen said: "If you are starting out
it can get expensive but it does not
have to be a Hardy rod at £500. It
could be a Shakespeare at £60.
"It does not have to be a £400
reel. We often have extra tackle and
we are happy to hand over a rod or
reel and even flies and let them get
started. Some of the fisheres do the
same as they have items which may
have been left unclaimed and they
will offer them out to people.
"It does not have to be expensive.
I don't have expensive gear. Some
people will spend £200, £300 or
£400 on a fly reel. Mine was £80
with four spare spools which is
more than adequate.
"I have used that for the last fiveyears. The one before that was £23
and I only changed as I broke it. You
don't have to have 30 lines. The fish
don't know what you have in your
tackle box. If your line is in the
water with a fly on it you have a
chance of catching a fish."
Philp stressed the newcomers
can work on improving their casting
but they definitely need to home in
on why a certain fly should be used
as she wants women to catch fish,
not turn up at a fishery and wonder
why the trout are non coming out
to play.
She said: "We all have blank days,
you can have more blank days than
good days, but again, it is not just
about catching fish, it is just part ofit. If you have thought about fishing
then definitely give it a go.
"Most of the fishery owners
would be more than encouraging
for you to come along and have
a shot."
The Scotland's ladies fly fishing
team are now fund raising for the
trip to Llyn Brenig in Wales in June
2024 to compete in the Home
Internationals.
Philp confirmed that there are 12
anglers plus a reserve in the squad
and it is a costly business equipping
an international team and top of
the priority list is a coach to take the
party south. That would give the
women a real chance to bond and
discuss tactics.Nigel Duncan
Adam Le Fondre Jordan Obita