“A lot of the competitors are semi- or full professionals, whereas we are all part-timers.
“The USA team have built steadily over the past 10 years in the world of fly fishing. They have become a major force and have home advantage.”
New Zealand came 18th out of 36 countries at the world championships in the Czech Republic in 2014. Scott placed the highest in the New Zealand team and came fourth in the river sector but near-last in the lake.
He is confident that they will be more competitive in Vail and that he can improve on his individual results.
“I know I can hold my own on the rivers and get some good results. My lake angling has improved massively over the past two years.”
Fishing in the Czech RepublicFishing in the Czech Republic was a lot different from New Zealand, he said.
“Generally, when people go fly fishing in New Zealand, they go to a river. A lot of countries in Europe do not have many rivers; they have lakes and ponds and still waters.
“That is their focus and strength and we went up against guys who are not only specialised lake fishermen but full-time professionals.”
Scott, who is also the editor of New Zealand Surfing Magazine, has worked hard to gain lake fishing experience since then. He has had help from senior team members and former world champions from the Czech Republic who have stayed with him in Gisborne.
“Rubbing shoulders with those guys and watching their techniques has definitely helped.”
Scott competed in his first fly fishing competition in 2013. This year he won the 2015 National Rivers Championship and competitions in Tauranga, Rotorua, Manawatu and Wairarapa to retain the NZ circuit title.
The variety of fishing options in this region has helped him progress.
“One of the reasons I have been successful is I have access to all these different tools on my doorstep. A lot of guys throughout the world — as well as two of my teammates who live in Auckland — have to travel a long way to go fishing.
“Within half an hour to an hour I can be in many different types of rivers and fisheries. So if I wanted to go and fish lakes tomorrow I could go up to Whakamarino or Kaitawa.
“If I wanted to work on smaller fish I would go to Waioeka and if I wanted to fish in a river similar to the ones in Vail I would go to Ruakituri near Tiniroto.”
Fitness will be important in Vail because the competition is held at altitude close to 9000 feet.
“We will suffer from altitude sickness, so I want to be as fit as I can to help me adjust to the conditions. Many afternoons will be spent running up the Kaiti Hill steps.”
Fly fishing is already a high-intensity sport, he says.
“People think fly fishing is going for a relaxing day out and walking along the river bed. In a competition you are running and wading a lot and the anaerobic burn is so intense that sometimes at the end of a session you cannot even move your legs.”
At 40, Scott is relatively young for a competitive fly fisherman. Most are between 45 and 50.
“It is a sport where a lot of the competitors are older because skill comes with experience. So there does not seem to be a lot of young guys in the sport.”
Scott hopes to capitalise on his youthful status in the physically challenging conditions in Vail in September next year. The regional circuit will keep him busy until then.
Scott is running a series of fly fishing clinic days and guided tours to help pay for his equipment and travel costs. Anyone interested can find out more by contacting him at cozza@ihug.co.nz
