The 2010 Home Nations was hosted by the Scottish Federation on the most northern shores of the British Isle, Greys Team Wales Manager Mike Flynn sent this report... 

The welsh preparations for the event started in 2009 in the early qualifying rounds with over 60 welsh Anglers eager to participate in the international scene, with the teams assembled our next hurdle was the near 700 miles of driving to our destination, (normally we would travel to practice the venues two weeks prior, the distance became a factor in our decision not to travel two week earlier).

We set off in the early afternoon with Myself doing the longest stint of the journey arriving in Peterhead in time to sample a fine Scottish breakfast, we then located the complex we were staying unfortunately we could not book in early so it was off to explore the beaches, we were soon eager to get out the rods but the need to rest was paramount.

Eventually 3/5 hours later we had unloaded the gear had our rest and it was off to practice the beaches, sure enough we were not to be disappointed plenty of fish but the quality was not as good as thought   ,   a return to base to recharge the batteries in readiness for the next days fishing.

As we were not allowed to practice on the main beach we set off to a different location but similar in nature to the main event beaches or as we thought conditions were perfect  and fish were plentiful with a few unexpected sea trout thrown in a sight we used to see on the north Wales beaches until the dreaded gill nets took over.

Four hours later we were back at the complex and the preparations for day 1 of the official event were in hand

On the morning of the event Greys had provided the team with clothing from the Apollo range and must say they really looked the part.

Day 1

We were on the western end of Rattray bay the target fish were flounder our anglers were off the mark with all catching steadily, as the hours passed it wasn't making the best of reading, we were not having the luck, Phil's catch rate was better than all in his zone unfortunately a majority of the fish were undersized ,and this patterned continued to the end of the match

Day 1 results England 18 Scotland 16 Wales 12 Ireland 5 

We had much too do the team spirit was not as it should be so much expectation we did not expect the results to be so poor despite so much confidence, I considered the options available to me and deliberately kept the team sheets back until late and decided to ring the changes, hopefully the other teams would remain in the same zones

Day 2

The team were issued with their fish cards at the breakfast table all change eh manager rang out of Harris's lips,

Would the change lift the spirit? The difference to the team spirit was immediate like throwing a switch,  the fishing on  the second day was the northern end of the bay  with huge numbers of fish expected and in Zone 1 we were not to be disappointed but it was Ireland who had the bit between their teeth , we finished in second place  with England in third

Zone 2

Dave was slow to start we agreed a complete change to tactics and soon Dave was chasing the leader of the zone fish for fish , this was going to be a close run zone we snatched the lead from England  at  the end of the match ( "not over the fat lady sings sprang to mind") 

Zone 3

The fishing really became slower as we headed up the beach Steve continued with his tactics and sure enough the perseverance paid off and took the zone

Zone 4

This was the worst zone on the beach Alan ended third but on fish count we had 1 more fish but not enough to improve our position

Zone 5

Alan Hughes was the first man in the zone and really put up a fight and did not give up until the end , when you need a run of luck to be with you it sadly was going to be his day he again tied on the same number of fish but the length was not on his side and given the last few days Alan won the private sweep we had each with the biggest fish each the luck had eluded him

The results

We had two zone wins a second, third and a fourth not enough to overhaul England's day one result but it was enough to improve our position and take the silver medal ,

As a Manager Gold is the main prize and Silver is second best but on Saturday I feel the team produced a fantastic result and could ask no more .

Pictures:

Greys Sponsored Welsh Shore Angling Team

Team Wales Manager Mike Flynn

We are very pleased to announce that the 2010 Greys fishing catalogue is now available from your local Greys dealer or as a download from our website.

The one hundred and seventy seven page catalogue features all the current Greys product from the fly, spinning, coarse, predator, carp and sea ranges.

In the fly fishing section, along with stunning photography from the UK and around the world the catalogue features all the latest fly fishing products for 2010 including the three superb new fly rod ranges GS,GS2,and GRXi+ and also Greys best fishing clothing yet, the GRXi Xtreme.

In the fly rod category new rod flex explanations have been introduced which include each rod's loading point, recovery rate, the rod stop and the flex characteristics. This detailed information is designed to make it even easier to choose the correct Greys rod.

In the sea fishing section detailed descriptions complement the rod ranges giving information on casting styles, rod actions and best fishing applications. To complement the rod range the G-Mag reels are also featured along with the ever popular shore and boat rigs and Apollo luggage and clothing.

New in the Coarse category are the stunning Prodigy TX & VX rods - a superb range of Float, Barbel & Specimen rods. Another key product in the Coarse range are the highly acclaimed Klip Lok bait boxes.

Our Greys Prowla range of Predator fishing tackle has been received amazingly well by retailers and consumers alike. Featured in the catalogue are the hugely popular Platinum Bait & Jerk bait rods along with all the luggage and terminal tackle.

A further evolution in Greys rods sees the new Spod and Marker Plus rods. Built upon the success of their predecessors these rods are a must have piece of kit for any angler.

Powered by a 500 hp Iveco engine, Greyfox is capable of cruising at 20 knots  with a top speed of 26 knots.  The boat is fitted with all the latest wreck and fish finding electronics and full galley facilities.

Greyfox will be used in the design, development and testing of the latest Greys sea fishing equipment.  Skipper, Mike Williams is a Greys Consultant and, with an unenviable record  of catches to his credit. Mike has regularly featured on Sky TV's Tight Lines program with Keith Arthur. 

Greyfox joins Mike's other Greys sponsored boat Firefox with both boats being based at Dover Marina. 

Greys Product Development Manager, Kevin Benham travelled to Dover for the launch and said;

"Greyfox is a fantastic looking boat and we are really looking forward to developing new products with Mike whilst fishing onboard once sea trials are finished."

Greys wish Mike every success for the future with Greyfox".

Gary arrives with a wealth of experience after ten years in the food service industry followed by thirteen highly successful years with fishing tackle manufacturer, Shimano.

Gary said of his appointment;

"It was a big step leaving Shimano, but when the opportunity arose to move to such a forward thinking, progressive company such as Hardy & Greys I found it impossible to refuse.

Since joining Hardy & Greys Ltd I have been overwhelmed with the level of customer focus and passion to succeed. I am looking forward to rekindling many old acquaintances, making some new ones and playing a full part in what looks certain to be a very bright future indeed."

Sales and Marketing Director, Ken Brewster said;

"I am delighted that Gary has joined us. He has a wealth of experience and tremendous customer relationships throughout the trade. He has fitted into the team instantly and will, I am sure, do a terrific job for us."

Gary replaces Steve Peterson who is taking up his new role as Game Marketing Manager for the Company starting at the end of April.

Dave had been working as a Consultant for the Northumberland based fishing tackle company for over three years, and has been heavily involved with rod and tackle design during this period. This includes working on the highly successful Hardy Marksman, and the new Greys Prodigy Specimen & Specialist Coarse introductions.

Dave has been a highly successful match and specialist coarse angler for many years. He has written extensively for the Angling press and currently writes weekly features for the Angler's Mail magazine. He will continue to contribute to this popular magazine from his new location and home in Alnwick, which will no doubt delight many northern anglers!

Commenting on his new position Dave said;

"I'm deeply honoured to have been offered the position of Coarse Product Manager and I relish the challenge.

"Hardy & Greys Ltd is a major, forward thinking company who are going places fast in both the Coarse and Carp markets, and I can now be even more involved with this exciting success story.

"I have made many new friends in Northumberland and I can't wait to explore the fishing up there."

Managing Director of Hardy & Greys Ltd, Richard Sanderson said;

"Hardy & Greys are pleased to announce Dave is joining our Product Development Team on a full time basis. Dave has been working with us for many years as a consultant and brings a wealth of experience with him from both the coarse market and fishing tackle industry. We are very excited to have Dave on board and look forward to launching many new products with his expert knowledge of the coarse & match market."

The Cod was caught by Anthony Bell from Northumberland on a fishing trip to Norway with his brother, Darran Bell.

Using the Greys 8" 30-50lb Excursion Boat rod and Norwegian Pirk as bait, Anthony said;

"The rod performed to perfection. I have never seen a fish that big in my life and the Greys Excursion did not let me down. This trip was one of a lifetime and was rounded up by the catch of a lifetime."

Anthony and Darran also landed a 42lb, 33lb, 30lb and lots of 20lb+ Cod.

Watch the programme.

Trout Fisherman magazine review the Greys Cap Light.

Read the review.

When describing the G-Mag Editor, Mel Russ said;

The G-Mag is "handy for boat and shore fishing, and is built link a bunker... a heavy duty reel said to cast up to 200 yards that can be used for tough shore fishing or taken afloat."

Greys are sponsoring the team with products including a selection of sea rods, G-Mag reels and Apollo Extreme clothing.

The team are fully prepared for the Championship with the first event being held on Tuesday 13th October and concluded on Saturday 24th Ocober. Check back on the Team's progress coming soon.

Read the Review.

Greys launch their new G-mag Advert.

View the new G-Mag Advert.

"The Only way I can describe this rod is that it is 14ft of pure muscle. If you're the type of angler who likes to fish in deep water with obstacles and strong tides in your way, this rod will not let you down."

Read more on this Review

More Greys Sea Fishing Rod Information

Greys will be sponsoring the team with products including a selection of sea rods, G-Mag reels and Apollo Extreme clothing.

These products will be used at events including the World Championships in Croatia in 2010 and the Home National event in Wales in July this Year. The team will provide Greys with feedback on these products and prototypes currently under development.

The Anglers to represent Wales in the World Championships are Franco Attanassio who has experienced success previously in World Championships in Portugal, Joe Arch, former individual world Champion who has also had major wins at many events home and away, Alan Price who is former World champion from 2002 in Belgium. Pete Corker also joins the team - an excellent all round performer who narrowly missed out in an individual gold medal in Portugal and James Fraser who continues to produce the results when required ( team gold in 1997.)

Andrew Hutchins is the reserve for the event and will participate midway through the championships. Andrew has continued to show commitments and development in his career in angling and is being rewarded with a place on the team.

Team manager, Mike Flynn said;

"We are very proud to have Greys as our official sponsor. The Welsh Sea Angling Federation pride themselves on the method of qualification for the National team that allows all Anglers an equal chance of qualification. The facts are clear in adopting an open method of selection and we have continued our rise up through the rankings to fourth in the world with the use of the best fishing products from Greys."

View the clip and the Greys products being used on the programme.

Fire Fox is a charter boat based at Dover in Kent, skippered by Michael Williams.

Available for full or part day sea fishing trips as a whole boat charter. Fire Fox is also available for channel events, safety-boat work, pleasure trips including sight-seeing, survey work, film-work, scattering of ashes and various other duties.

For more information on Fire Fox click here.

The show, which took place on the 7th and 8th February at the Ijsselhallen in Zwolle, Netherlands, saw the new Hardy Carp rod, designed for the Dutch market, stolen prior to the Show on the evening of the 6th February.

Andrew Sowerby, International Sales and Events Manager for Hardy & Greys Ltd said;

"I am sickened by this theft. As it is a prototype, this specific example of the rod is of little value, even worse, anglers had travelled several hours to the show specifically to see, handle and discuss the Hardy Goldbow - this is exactly why anglers go to shows."

This rod, together with a number of Hardy Marksman Coarse rods were stolen. The Hardy Goldbow rod is clearly identifiable by its distinct rich brown blank, full cork handle and has no bag, tube or stopper. The Marksman Coarse rods are easily identifiable as they also have no bags, stoppers or tubes and the Hardy Feeder rods only have one 2oz quiver tip in each of them.

Police are now looking to find the stolen items and Hardy & Greys Ltd are offering a complete finished Hardy Goldbow Carp rod as a reward to anyone who has information that leads to the recovery of this prototype.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new interactive website which we will be updating daily.

Featuring on the site are all of the new products for 2009 including the Apollo M3 rod, Platinum GSI rod and GRX-S Bass Rod.

In the reels department, Greys have launched their first ever multiplyer reel - the G-Mag and, following on from the successful Apollo range of clothing, Greys have redesigned and redeveloped the existing products to create the new Apollo Extreme range.

Pease check back for further news and product updates coming soon.

To compliment the range, Greys have launched their eagerly awaited G-Mag Reel, the first multiplier reel from Greys.

Following on from the successful Apollo clothing range, Greys have redesigned and redeveloped the existing products to create the new Apollo Extreme range of clothing.

To find your nearest Greys Dealer visit our Dealer page for a full listing.

Products include the greatly anticipated G-Mag reel - the company's first sea multiplier reel, the latest evolution of the award winning Apollo beachcaster rods; the MK3 version, a new Bass rod range, and the upgraded Apollo Extreme clothing.

The new full colour catalogue also features stunning photography from renowned Sea fishing expert Henry Gilbey, and the introduction of our new Sea Product Manager, Neil Mackellow.

To obtain a hard copy of the catalogue please contact your local dealer. An electronic version of the Greys Sea catalogue is now available to download at www.greysfishing.com.

'Imagine a 1980s Abu 7000 with magnetic and centrifugal brakes, a stright sided spool, stainless steel and aluiminum one-piece frame and components, twist and shift side place, ball bearings, and all built like a Penn 525 - that's the G-Mag'

Alan Yates - Sea Angler Magazine

Click here to read more