A HIGH-FLYING Inverclyde school pupil is hooked on international competition after being picked to represent Scotland.

David Cruickshank was selected for the Scottish Youth U18 Fly Fishing team for the 2019 Home International event at the Lake of Menteith.

The 14 strong team held their own as they battled it out against teams from England, Ireland and Wales to win the coveted silver medal.

David, who is at pupil at St Columba's School in Kilmacolm, landed fish weighing nearly 10lbs.

The 15-year-old said: "It was a good experience.

"I enjoy fly fishing because I like working as part of a team and representing Scotland.

"I get the chance to meet people from all over Britain."

During the competition, boys and girls aged from 13-17 went out on boats for a seven hour fishing stint.

Each angler was drawn against a competitor from another country and the winners were decided on the total weight of the fish caught.

At the final count, Ireland won the gold medals weighing in an impressive total of 177 lbs and 2.6oz.

Scotland were second on 152 lbs, 7.2oz while Wales came in third place on 123lbs, 15.5oz and England were narrowly fourth on 121 lbs, 13.3 oz.

David's dad Stuart says he is so proud of his son's achievements.

He said: "He won the gold medal last year in his first year and to win a silver medal this year is a fantastic achievement.

"Unfortunately because it's all out in boats, it's not the best spectator sport.

"They go out and you wish them all the best and you don't know how they've got on until everything is counted and weighed."

Stuart says his son first 'caught the bug' for fly fishing after trying it out on holiday.

He said: "In August 2017 he tried out for the Scotland team and made the team on his first attempt and he qualified again last year.

"He'll go through the process again this month."

Talented David, who used to play pro youth football with St Mirren and is also a member of his school's pipe band, says the biggest fish he has ever caught has been a 10lbs rainbow trout.

He said: "I'm hoping to stay in the international team for a while.

"The age limit is 18 so hopefully I'll get another two years."

His dad Stuart hopes that David's story will encourage other boys and girls to get involved in the sport.

He said: "Fly fishing is viewed as an older man's sport but they're trying to encourage more young people to get involved."