Team Result – 22nd from 33 teams

Individuals – Stephen McCaveny 52^nd and Davie Corcoran 54^th from 190, George Glen 6^th in section Day 2

Team - Dave Corcoran, Jimmy Fullerton, George Glen, Stephen McCaveny, Chris Paton,

The River Arno in the centre of Florence was a spectacular setting for a match that drew crowds of over 20,000 people. The main species were Carrassio (like a crucian carp), large Carp, and in some areas Chub. The main methods were the long pole with joker in groundbait and the sliding waggler. The fishing was generally very good, but was different in the 3 separate areas of the river, improving as the practice week wore on. This gave us some problems that contributed to our poor result.

Unfortunately the sequence of practice pegs we were allocated during the 5 days of official practice hindered our preparations such that we always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to get some of the big catches we saw other teams get. In the end we caught relatively few fish, methods we developed early on became less relevant and our tackle was not well proven on fish. Though the approach we developed was basically correct and little different to more successful teams, we entered the first day rusty and with little confidence.

These factors had a lot to do with the terrible first day team result on 27^th. Having learned from the mistakes of day 1 the team rallied somewhat to 16^th on day 2. Bonus carp were an important influence on the match and a major impact on our result was the fact that none of the team landed any of the bonus carp hooked.

Jimmy Fullerton and Chris Paton failed to fulfil their potential and do themselves justice in this match. Jimmy in particular was drawn in the sections closest to the centre of Florence that attracted huge crowds and he struggled just to survive his debut, a real baptism of fire. Though both have served Scotland well in the past, they didn’t show the technical ability and temperament to be able to succeed at this highest level.

Though we failed in our target to get into the top half of the field there were many good lessons learned and a few indicators from this match that can give us some optimism for the future.

Stephen McCaveny and Davie Corcoran put in solid performances confirming their ability and temperament. Stephen has had indifferent results in his past World Championships but 15^th and 12^th section placings show he has the consistency to go with his undoubted technical ability to justify his future in the squad. Davie showed again that he has the confidence, and his waggler fishing skill is growing witnessed by the attentions of the crowd for his second day display. After a personal disaster on the first day George Glen’s 6^th in section on day 2  showed his character and experience.

Perhaps most encouraging was the role Rab Crossan played as Team Captain and Coach. This was his first exposure to the challenge and stresses of leading a team through a World Championships and he acquitted himself very well. He showed many of the essential qualities including an assertiveness with the team, organisers and suppliers that is a real strength added to his great experience and insight into fishing. Rab wishes to continue and develop in this role. He still has a lot to learn but when he does the team will gain strength overall instead of simply being weakened by the loss of an excellent angler.