Top Forces Anglers Return To Tri-Service Competition

Forces anglers have returned to action for a tri-service competition in Rutland Water.

The regular angling season was disrupted in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In this competition, it was the Royal Air Force who took the team award, while the British Army's Ryan Bull won the individual title.

RAF Competitive Angling chairman Wing Commander David Eaves explained that events were about to get under away earlier this year when circumstances changed.

"We’re absolutely delighted to be back on the water again," he said.

"The season runs from April to October. We were just preparing for our first events of the year when the lockdown happened.

"That obviously put a complete stop on all of our activities."

Angling was one of the first sports to return as lockdown restrictions eased and Wg Cdr Eaves thinks it was all about being ahead of the game.

"We’re very fortunate that the Angling Trust were very active," he said.

"They were on the front foot straight away and created a set of guidelines that they presented to the Government.

"They were quickly accepted as a set of protocols that could be followed to allow people to resume angling safely."

Prior to the action, the team spent time out on the water preparing.

Ash Cannon explained: "We’ve had two practice days before the main competition event and the lads have been out there giving it a good go trying to find where the fish are."

After eight hours of competition, the 30 anglers caught 121 fish between them.

The RAF were the leading service with 55 fish caught while the Army's Ryan Bull was the most prolific angler with a score of 21 catches.