Ian Harries caught his first fish when he used to go with his father as a six year old in the Cartlett Brook in Haverfordwest and for many years since (over 50!) he has also fished on the River Cleddau and has great memories of a time when the fish in the river were far more plentiful than they are now.
 
Until he was 18 he had the benefit of being able to use all his limbs but then a road accident when he came off his motorbike and his serious injuries included having his right arm amputated: a double blow because he was right-handed and had no experience of using his other hand for anything productive!
 
But he has always been a battler and in the intervening years he has continued his passion for sport by playing football, snooker and pool to a decent level, but with his fishing as a great way of relaxation.
 

Thrilled by his selection

 
And it seems that all that experience of river fishing, plus more on the open sea and other places to test his skills, has paid off because this year Ian has competed for Wales in the disability angling section of the sport – and when Ian received confirmation of his selection of course he was thrilled!.
 
It took place in the home nations’ championships which this year were fought out in Scotland, who were the eventual winners, on the Lake of Menteith, near Stirling, with the Airth Castle Hotel nearby and with Falkirk in the distance.  It was a beautiful place to fish, with lovely views and real tranquility that made it an extra pleasure to be there.
 
Each Welsh competitor went out in a boat with a boatman and an opponent over a set period of time and Wales took on Scotland and he faced one of the most experienced members of the Scottish team.
“He was experienced with the fly fishing and he finished up with nine fish and I only had two rainbow trout in my net but lost another four on the line after losing them at the last second, which was very frustrating but I know I was nervous.
 
“I did better in the other spells on the lake against England and Ireland - and it was a great experience to become a Welsh international, even if I had to wait until I was 68 years old!
 
“The camaraderie in the team was fantastic and all the teams were friendly and helpful so it was a memorable few days!”
 

Other sports . . .

 
Going back to his other sports for a moment it is fair to say that Ian loved playing football for Haverfordwest County 2nds and Withybush - and even managed to take one-handed throw-ins in his determination to not let his disability get in the way.
 
He also plays snooker when needed at the Balfour Club and has a top breaks of 30+ and others  in the late 30s - and plays pool for Haverfordwest Football Club, using the rest in both games and really enjoying his being part of a team, plus darts and dominoes.
 

Good news already  for next year

 
And the good news is that Ian has already gained selection for the Welsh Disability team after going to trials at Llyn Clywedog and Trawsfynydd recently, as he did last year to gain his selection for this year.
 
He is rightly proud of his Welsh cap, blazer, complete with badge, his tie and tee-shirt, which is sadly the only item that is provided and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is strongly of the view that this should not be the case for representing our country.
 

Welcome support provided by local charity trust

 
Be that as it may, he is flying the Pembrokeshire Flag with distinction in his chosen sport and he has received some sponsorship from the Haverfordwest Swimming Pool Trust and he is quick to acknowledge that was a real help.
 
Trust Chairman Chris Martin told us,
“We were delighted to see the Trust supporting such a worthy sporting person.  Ian epitomises what sport in Pembrokeshire is about and he carried the County’s name and the name of Haverfordwest proudly.”  
(Further information of how Haverfordwest Swimming Pool Trust could support sporting applications can be found by contacting haverfordwestswimmingpooltrust@gmail.com)
 
We can only agree with Chris and long may Ian Harries enjoy his fishing with the same enthusiasm he has had for the sport for so long!