MASTERS 2012

CAN YOU BE OUR 2012 MASTERS CHAMPION?

MASTERS 2012 ENTRY FORM

Competition Dates Below

BALMY summer evenings afloat on a trout water that is second to none.
Fish rising all over the place and maybe the glimpse of an osprey circling on the skyline.
A sizzling barbecue and drinks in the company of Scottish Sun glamour girls after a hard day’s fishing.
Oh, and the small matter of joining in the fly-fishing competition that is now firmly established as Scotland’s biggest and best.
Tackle giants Daiwa are back on board as event sponsors — and that guarantees prizes unmatched on the Scottish angling scene.
There are top tackle prizes along the way and the champ will land the fishing holiday of a lifetime for two in an exotic location.
But aside from the rewards, what we keeping hearing from anglers is that it’s the friendliness that makes the Masters so special.
Pleasure anglers and Carron regulars rub shoulders with some of the leading names in competition fishing - and all are in with a shout.
The Masters has thrown up winners who couldn’t be more different.
Vastly experienced Ken Oliver came out on top in 2009. His name on the cup was followed this year by that of teenager James Fairlie, youngest in the whole competition.
The Masters will be contested over six heats, starting in May. Then it’s on to the semis before the grand final in August.
And just to put you in the mood, you’ll find a picture gallery capturing the first two years of the Carron Valley Masters on the Scottish Suns website. Just go to www.thescottishsun.co.uk/fishing and click on the Masters 2011 link

You can view and print out an entry form by clicking on MASTERS 2012 ENTRY FORM. Completed entry forms should be sent, with the registration fee, to us here at Carron Valley Fishery.

2012 Masters Heat Dates

HEATS

22 May Tues eve

29 May Tues eve

2 June Sat eve

3 July Tues eve

7 July Sat eve

10 July Tues eve

SEMI FINALS

24 July Tues eve

31 July Tues day

Final

12 Aug Sun day

2011 HEAT RESULTS

May 31^st Qualifiers:

1^st-mathew Holdroyd, 8 for 303cm

2^nd – Gus Shepherd, 8 for 301cm

3^rd – Calum Hardie, 7 for 276cm

4^th – John Morton, 6 for 255cm

5^th – Craig McKean, 6 for 231.5cm

6^th – Malcolm Miller, 6 for 214.5cm

7^th – John Wilson, 5 for 202cm

June 7^th Qualifiers:

1^st – Wullie Leach, 11 for 357.5

2^nd – Stuart McLean, 7 for 245

3^rd – Mick tait, 6 for 232.5

4^th – James fairly, 5 for 187

5^th – Colin martin, 5 for 173

6^th- Jim Dougall, 5 for 171.5

7^th- Roddy Fitzpatrick, 4 for 134

8^th – Gus Shepherd, 4 for 129

9^th Ronnie Glass, 4 for 122

2010 CARRON VALLEY MASTERS WINNERS

The final of the 2010 Carron Valley Masters was held today, Sunday 8th August, and what a fantastic end to an equally brilliant competition throughout the summer months.

The 24 anglers in the final caught a total of 223 fish and not a blank rod amongst them.

The outright winner by a good stretch was James Fairlie from Houston who at 15 years of age has won a fishing trip of a lifetime for two to a choice of worldwide destinations.

In second place was Alan Brock from Creiff followed closely by James Litster in third, both of whom won a fantastic assortment of prizes from our sponsors Daiwa.

The results from today’s final are.

1^st – James Fairlie, 20 fish measuring 648.5cm

2^nd – Alan Brock, 17 fish measuring 539.5cm

3^rd – JamesLitster, 18 fish measuring 536.5cm

4^th- Kenny McLean

5^th – Gus Shepherd

6^th – Wullie Leach

7^th – Paul Garner

8^th – Mick Tait

9^th – Iain Campbell

10^th – JimMcKinlay

11^th – Richard Bow

12^th – Andy Everett

13^th – Scott Aitken

14^th – Greg Donnelly

15^th – Andy Dunn

16^th – Michael Low

17^th – George Telford

18^th – Bill Holleran

19^th – MaxMcKinstrie

20^th – Ken Oliver

21^st – Tam Bonnar

22^nd – Peter edge

23^rd – Mick Clinton

24^th – Malcolm Miller

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the competitors, boatmen and organisers and especially DAIWA and Stephen McCaveny and The Scottish Sun and Mike Kernan for their sponsorship and support in what has turned out to be a fantastic event.

MAY 25^th HEAT

A difficult night where plenty of fish were rising but they weren't that easy to keep a hold of.

22 anglers competed and a few had the tactics right on the night catching a total of 80 fish for 2,901.50 cm (nearly 30 metres).

In first place with 10 fish for 401cm was 71 year old Jim Watson of Kilmaurs.

In 2nd place was Wullie Leach of California with 9 fish for 385cm

3rd place was taken by Paul Garner from Denny with 9 fish for 288cm

The top 3 were presented with a host of prizes by Stephen McCaveny from sponsors Daiwa.

Special mention to Andy (AKA Kenny) Everitt a sapper with the royal engineers who landed the first fish less than ten minutes into the competition and won himself a nice bottle of malt.

The following all go through to the semis:

Michael Low, Andy (Kenny) Everitt, John Morton, Peter Edge, Kenny McLean.

JUNE 1^st HEAT

1st place - Scott Aitken, 6 fish for 229cm (including two fish in double figures - capped at 60cm)

2nd - Roddy Fitzpatrick, 6 fish for 197cm

3rd - Malcolm Millar, 7 fish for 196cm

4th - Dugald McGilp, 5th - Michael Low (already qualified), 6th - Mick Clinton, 7th - James Stewart, 8th - Steven Lind

JUNE 8^th HEAT

Miserable night with pouring rain dominating the session. placings as follows.

1st - Archie McGilp, 5 for 187cm

2nd - Ken oliver. 4 for 162cm

3rd- Michael Low. 5 for 147cm

4th - Bill Ramage, 5 for 152cm

5th - Derick Birse. 3 for 135cm

6th - JimMcKinlay. 3 for 133cm

7th- Ronnie Glass. 4 for 116cm

Waler Logan - 3 for 116cm (joint 7th place)

9th - TamBonnar. 3 for 110cm

10th - Iain Campbell. 4 for 106cm

11th - David Laird. 2 for 85cm

CARRON VALLEY MASTERS

2009

HE clutched the cup, donned the jacket, took the applause.
But still Ken Oliver couldn’t take it in. He looked shellshocked as it slowly sunk in — he’d just become the first Carron Valley Masters champion.

Ken landed the fishing holiday of a lifetime and a dazzling array of Daiwa tackle in the midst of an incredibly hectic week.

The Scottish Youth Team coach got back from Wales — where he’d guided our youngsters to silver in the home internationals — just a few hours before the final.
Then he was busy moving house. Oh, and in between he landed the Daiwa-sponsored Masters.
“I’m slightly stunned to put it mildly,” said former brown trout record holder Ken, 52, from Barrhead.
“But it’s been coming for a while. I’ve been knocking at the door in competitions, finishing just outside the top three. I’m just pleased it all came together at the right time.”
At the start of the day, schoolteacher Ken was just one of 26 hopefuls who gathered in the Carron car park in near perfect conditions.
Warmth in the morning air, enough cloud to ensure there wouldn’t be a constant glare, a gentle ripple and fish rising all over the place.
Banter and bravado bounced around and tension built as Masters official John Ross drilled finalists on the rules.
Then it was off to the boats and the klaxon that signalled the start of serious catch and release business.
Within minutes James Fairlie — at 14 the youngest in the field — upped the ante by hooking a fish that was clearly a monster.
The first buzz was that it was 7 or 8lb. Then it was 9 or 10. It took him 25 minutes to land and was nearer 13lb. It would remain the biggest fish all day and that slab of a rainbow threw down the gauntlet.
Soon there were rods bending everywhere and casting in full concentration.
There was no doubt. It was going to take a big catch to win.
Over the next couple of hours officials John Buchanan & John Ross were out to check anglers were following rules and in the true spirit of the contest.

Before we knew it, it was time up and the taunts, jokes and downright whoppers started all over again on the jetty, carrying on into the car park where battle weapons were stowed away, new friendships made and old ones rekindled.
The competitors huddled round the barbecue next to the Scottish Sun bus, nervous eyes glancing up to the fishing lodge where scorecards were being tallied.

An incredible 333 fish were caught — an average of more than 13 per finalist.

Daiwa marketing manager Stephen McCaveny — assisted by Sun girls Gayle and Caroline — handed every angler the coveted jacket and cap that marked their achievement in reaching the final.
One angler’s comment summed up the reaction. “Wow, we’re the only people to have these jackets - and ever will.”
Last year’s national champ Ronnie Gilbert was runner-up with Scots international James Litster third. They won top Daiwa gear.
Both had caught more fish than Ken’s 21 — but his nine rainbows made all the difference. Ronnie, 36, of Kilmarnock, said: “Well done to Ken. It’s been a brilliant competition and it’s great that all the fish go back.
“I’ll definitely be here next year to try again.”
James, 38, of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, added: “The Masters has been superb. Apart from the worlds, I’ve not been so excited about a competition in five years.
“I couldn’t sleep before it and just had to get up at 1am to tie up some flies.
“I’ve officially retired from competitive fishing but I’ll make an exception for next year’s Masters.”
The finalists also gave an overwhelming vote of approval to a vital element of the Masters — catch and release.
No bags of dead fish dumped in the car park or in bins on various routes home. No wild brownies knocked on the head to make up the numbers.
More than 330 fish caught on the day - and all returned, thanks in no small part to the skill and care of the boatmen.
Scotland team boss and Masters official John Ross said: “The whole catch and release element has been brilliant - this is definitely the way ahead for competitions.”
The buzz round the after-match barbecue echoed that view. One finalist said: “The boatmen were excellent and catch and release is great for the fish obviously and the anglers - not to mention the sport’s image.”

Marketing boss Stephen McCaveny said: “From the first evening heat I realised we’d created a cracking competition.
“The enthusiasm and effort by anglers was often professional - it was clear they all really wanted to win.
“Our intention was to make getting to the final a realistic prospect for anybody and, importantly, acknowledge the achievement.
“The final line-up on the day demonstrated that, with non-competition anglers and one of our emerging juniors, James Fairlie, finding themselves among the big boys.
"Winning our unique jacket and cap after six hours of intense competition was well received by every finalist. They were proud to have them.
“I want to thank every angler who took part and our finalists for a superb attitude and valued support.
“I am looking forward to next year with what we all hope will be bigger, better and THE event to be part of.”

We would like to thank our sponsors, Daiwa & The Scottish Sun for the fabulous prizes and organisation throughout the event and wish all competitors the best of luck in next years Masters. The camaraderie throughout the entire event has been fantastic.

Watch this space for details of the 2010 Masters.

Fraser McGowan

THE MASTERS

Carron Valley is delighted to announce that we are teaming up with The Scottish Sun, Scotland' s biggest selling daily paper, and Daiwa — Britain’s leading tackle manufacturer - to bring a unique competition to Scottish anglers with a host of fabulous prizes up for grabs.

You can view and print out an entry form by clicking on the link below. Completed entry forms should be sent, with the registration fee, to us here at Carron Valley Fishery.

Entry Form

WELCOME TO THE MASTERS

FANCY playing a 200lb-plus perch on the Nile?
What about scrapping with a 6ft sturgeon in British Columbia or a giant sailfish off the coast of West Africa?
These are just some of the choices that await the first Carron Valley Masters champion.
Sponsors Daiwa are laying on some fantastic prizes for this summer’s big fly competition.
And they don’t get any better than the fishing holiday of a lifetime they’re providing courtesy of our pals at angling break specialists World Sport Fishing.
These are the hols the winner can choose from:
CANADA: The sturgeon fishing is world-class and the salmon run is numbered in tens of millions on the mighty Fraser River.
FLORIDA: The self-styled sport fishing capital of the world — Key West — is the jumping off point to tangle with tarpon, snappers, sharks and redfish in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
SPAIN: A catfish of 150lb is a realistic target and a magical 200-pounder always a possibility from the famous River Ebro.
FINLAND: The country lays claim to the finest brown trout waters in the world and you’ll be in for amazing sport.
EGYPT: A fishing safari on Lake Nasser where the perch record stands at 213lb and you’ll almost certainly catch the biggest freshwater fish of your life.
GUINEA BISSAU: Lures and flies are the name of the game as you hunt tarpon, snappers, Jack Crevalle, sharks, cobia and barracuda off Africa’s west coast.
SENEGAL: Still in Africa, this time the targets include marlin, sailfish, dorado and tuna.
All the holidays include guides, flights and accommodation.
Last night Richard Shear, of World Sport Fishing, said: “We’re proud to be associated with this new and exciting fishing competition.
“We hope the prize options will be enough to satisfy any angler.”
To check out their fabulous range of fishing holidays, visit www.worldsportfishing.com.
So how on earth do you choose a holiday from that little lot?
Well first, you’ve got to win it — and to win it, you’ve got to be in it. So get that entry form posted today!

Our competition is open to all anglers and the eventual champion will win a sensational fishing holiday of a lifetime, a superb trophy, a rod and reel and a tour of Daiwa’s HQ in Wishaw.

There will also be top-quality tackle prizes courtesy of Daiwa for the competitors finishing second and third.
... and every finalist will receive a classy commemorative jacket and cap for qualifying.

The Masters will be run over a series of six heats through the summer with tackle prizes for the winners and runners-up of each heat. A third of the competitors will qualify for the semi-finals with 15 from each going on to the glamorous grand final on Sunday 9th August.

We want to make the Carron Valley Masters unique, so, to that end, we are making it a catch and release competition.

Boat partners will be drawn at random and record each other’s catches on golf-style scorecards.
Stewards will keep an eye on proceedings but we’ll also rely on the honesty of anglers — with boat pairs scoring each other.

The Scottish Sun is launching the competition today (Friday) on their popular fishing page and next Friday, March 27, they will publish more details. This will include the dates of the qualifiers and the entry form. These details will go on our website the same day.

Registration fee will be £10 and, after that, all you’ll pay is your share of the discounted boat hire. If numbers allow, you can enter more than once. Even if you’ve already qualified for the semis, it will be an opportunity to work on your tactics, check out your potential rivals or just enjoy some great fishing.

Entrants can choose up to three dates in order of preference.

We are delighted to be teaming up with Scotland' s leaders in their respective fields — Daiwa and The Scottish Sun.

THE SPONSORS

Daiwa marketing manager Stephen McCaveny said: “We have been making fishing rods in Scotland for over 30 years and our factory in Wishaw is the biggest outside of the Far East. Apart from a brilliant fishing holiday and gear, the Masters winner will get a guided tour of the whole place. They’ll see the rod design team in action and possibly get to watch our rod testing machine, called The Terminator, take a rod ‘beyond’ and eventually destroying it. With almost £5,000 of prizes, every ticket for the qualifiers will be like gold dust. If I didn’t work for Daiwa I wouldn’t hesitate to be in it. We see it as the perfect event to sponsor — top quality trout fishing at a stunning location, a true wilderness but just outside of Glasgow".

The Scottish Sun's angling editor Mike Kernan added: "I must admit to a bit of bias because Carron Valley is among my favourite places to fish. It is full of top quality, hard fighting rainbow, brown and blue trout and offers anglers fantastic sport from both boat and bank in what is probably one of the most scenic places for anglers in the central belt".

Watch this space for more details which will follow next Friday!

In the meantime please feel free to post your views or questions to us at fishing@carronvalley.com or to Mike at The Scottish Sun - scotfish@the-sun.co.uk

MASTERS 2011

CAN YOU BE OUR 2011 MASTERS CHAMPION

Competition Dates to follow

MASTERS 2011 ENTRY FORM

For information or booking contact:

Carron Valley Fishery
Fishing Lodge
Carron Valley
nr Denny
Stirlingshire, FK6 5JL

Tel: 01324 823698

or via e-mail at

fishing@carronvalley.com

To find out more about fishing at Carron Valley Fishery, click on the links at the top of the page.

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