Browse Sections

• Macclesfield Town FC
• Local football
• Local cricket
• Golf

Wise beyond his years

10/10/2007

The art of fly fishing can take a lifetime to master but, after only three years, King’s School angler Oliver Gilman is already an experienced England international.

Oliver, aged 17, from Toft, finished fourth in the national youth championships, re-qualifying to represent England for the second successive year.

Yet it was only three years ago that he cast his first fly at the Marton Heath Fly Fishery.

"I now fish every couple of weeks at locations across the country, including Grafham, Rutland and Pitsford reservoirs," he said.

He also casts his net closer to home, in local waters such as Marton Heath, Ridgegate Reservoir and Danebridge Fishery.

According to Oliver to be successful you have to think like a fish: "You must represent a trout’s natural food artificially using feathers, fur and synthetic materials tied on to a hook.

"You must then fool the trout into eating the ‘fly’ by fishing it in such a way as to mimic the natural fly."

Oliver fishes for the England Youth Team, Prince Albert Fly Fishing Team and is a member of the Macclesfield Fly Fishers Club.

He wants to study Veterinary Science at Edinburgh and harbours ambitions of becoming an England men’s international.

Oliver added: "I really enjoy the fishing itself but I also love the social scene, meeting new people and going to new places."