A Dumfries dad netted an impressive trophy haul as he helped Scotland to golden glory on the international sporting stage.
Bob Haining was part of the team which took top honours at the recent four-nations Disabled Fly Fishing Championships.
And he was one of the standout performers as he cast some perfect lines to land some of the competition’s leading individual awards as well.
As well as helping the team towards overall gold – their 10th
in 11 tournaments – he also landed prizes for the top rod overall, top Scottish rod, top rod on day one
and the trophy for biggest overall fish.
What’s more impressive is that this was the 42-year-old’s first international cap – and with very little competition experience behind him.
Bob only took up fly fishing properly in 2018 to help battle boredom, depression and isolation after an accident two years earlier following which he had to learn to walk again, aided by crutches.
The dad-of-two, from Heathhall, said: “I was really nervous going into the competition, but my boat partner was also a first-cap, for Ireland, and our boatman was great, so the three of us kept each other level.
“I just went out to catch as many fish as possible to help the team. I didn’t realise I was doing so well individually until much later.
“As people told me and as the presentation took place, I just thought ‘wow’. I couldn’t believe it.
“Bringing the gold back home
for Scotland was an amazing feeling.”
The four nations tournament took place at Lake of Menteith, Stirling, and featured Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. The competition had been due to take place in 2020 but fell casualty to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bob is also a volunteer with Food Train, part of the team who ensure older people in and around Dumfries do not go without essential shopping supplies.
His friends at the charity helped him achieve his dream of fishing for Scotland by providing use of a van so that he could go to training sessions, as well as helping him set up a Crowdfunding appeal through which others helped him to meet his training costs.
He added: “Everyone at Food Train has been amazing, as have the others who gave generously to support me. I couldn’t have done this without them.
“I am so grateful for the support I’ve had.”
Emma Black, fundraising and marketing manager at Food Train, worked with Bob to set up his online Crowdfunder.
She said: “Everyone at the charity is delighted for Bob and so proud of his success.
“It was nice that we could play a part in helping him fulfil his dream of fishing for Scotland.
“We have an amazing team of volunteers, of which Bob is part, who make a tremendous difference in our community, week in, week out.”
