Fishing: Kilmaurs man retires after bronze medal win at world event

Jun 19 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

A KILMAURS man has retired from the sport he loves after winning a bronze medal at the World Flyfishing Championships, held at Drymen, Loch Lomond.

James Litster, 38, was part of the successful Scottish team which won third place at the prestigious event, the equivalent of the Olympic Games of fishing.

It is the first time a Scottish team has been placed, and their achievement is all the more remarkable as they fought back from ninth place to win the bronze – the biggest-ever comeback in the contest’s 29-year history.

James said: “It was an unforgettable experience. It was just like playing in the World Cup final for Scotland, or competing in the Olympic Games. This is the highest you can go as a fly fisherman representing your country.

“It was a proud moment to be led out at the start of the championships by mascots carrying the Scottish flag as we marched through Drymen, and although it was one of the toughest competitions I’ve ever been in, it was one of the friendliest.”

James and his Scottish team mates, Simon Cocker, Donald Forbes, David Chalmers, Dick Logan, Calum Crosbie and manager George McKenzie were up against fishermen from 26 countries all over the world.

The competition, although based at Loch Lomond, saw the anglers compete at Lake of Menteith, the River Tay at Stanley, Loch Awe, Loch Leven and the Carron Valley.

James added: “I was out with guys from Slovakia, Portugal, South Africa and even Lapland.

“I’ve made great friends with people from all over the world, and the entire Australian team have invited me back there for a fishing holiday!

“The atmosphere was great and everyone was really friendly, but competition was fierce. On the last day, a guy in the French team went as far as swimming from one side of the River Tay to the other to make sure he caught a couple of fish!

“I feel now I’ve gone as far as I can with competitive fly-fishing. I’ve won everything there is to win in Scotland, and to finish by winning a medal at the World Championships is going out on a real high.

“I’ll not give up entirely though; I’ll still fish as a hobby.”

James was supported at the championships closing ceremony by mum Grace, girlfriend Heather Kirkwood and pal Andy Dunn, a fellow angler from Kilmarnock.