Sea-Fishing: West of Scotland Sea Fishing Contest 31st August 2008

 

On Sunday 31st August Saltcoats Slabs was the venue of the West of Scotland Sea Fishing Contest supported by North Ayrshire Sports Council when a total of 35 attended made up of Juniors and Seniors. This was way beyond even my high expectations, considering one of Scotland's largest fishing events was taking place elsewhere on the same day.

Registration started at 9.30am but that wasn't early enough for some. People were already there when I arrived. Then more followed soon after. Twenty Five pegs had been marked out, but it wasn't long before I realised that it wasn't enough. Quickly five more pegs were marked out but they were taken in minutes so even more were added until we ran out of space in the area we were in.

There could have been a bit more wind and a lot less rain for the competition. The calm seas also made it difficult for many of the competitors but there was enough fish caught to make people happy.

First in the Senior Section was Sandy McFadyean with a total length of 65cms. Second was Alex Oldfield with 36cm and third was Owen Phillips with 35cm. The longest fish was caught by Alex Oldfield with a Mackerel of 36cm.

Again, as in the past, a Junior out-fished the Seniors and in 1st place was Jamie Reid with a total length of an amazing 1 metre 34 centimetres (5 fish in total!) and 2nd was Mark McCrone with 35cm. The longest fish in this section was won by Mark McCrone with a Mackerel of 35cm. Well done to all who were lucky enough to catch fish!

I would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You!” to the kind people and organisations who made this outstanding day possible with their kind donations and help:

To North Ayrshire Sports Council for the trophies; Ardrossan & District Sea Angling Club; West of Scotland Region; McClymont Joiners; JB Decorators and Issac Muir for the various prizes they donated. A special thanks to Splashsport in Saltcoats and all the staff for their excellent prizes and goody bags for the Juniors (and for kindly making their toilet available to competitors!) A big, big thanks to Bud McClymont who gave up his day's fishing to coach and help those Novices who required it.

One last thanks goes to ALL the competitors who turned up. If it wasn't for you, there wouldn't be a competition; and I wouldn't be as contented and as happy as fishing representative on the Sports Council.

Tight Lines,
Kenny McClymont