HELD ON NORTH BEACH, BRIDLINGTON ON 1ST DECEMBER 2001
A disappointing turn out with seven drop outs the previous day. They missed a cracking match that brought numerous Whiting and Dabs in our first IRSA 'measure and release' match.
It had rained most of the previous night and morning but thankfully the skies cleared while we ate our buffet and pint before the match. This in itself was unusual as we normally do that bit last, however, as we were fishing from 2 till 7 pm we thought it wise to get some grub and a beer down our necks first.
There was hardly what you could call a wind (if you could disregard the previous nights vindaloo) it was more of a cold draft; indeed it did become very cold after sunset. Also up till that point there were plenty of bites mainly from Dabs to keep us busy. We also were joined on the beach by a young couple who were clearly not dressed for fishing and had actually just been married and the video guys were taking the 'art shots' while the suns rays were at there longest. We could not tell if the couple were still happily married (a few hours only) but one thing was certain and that was that SHE was cold!
After the sun went down and the tide started going out things did heat up a lot (actually it got colder but we all started our new exercise routines).
We will have to learn to fish a little closer together in future because when you are pulling in a fish a chuck it becomes hard work running to the next angler to measure and sign for your catch and then return it to the water before you can get back to your rod to bait up and re-cast.. Perhaps we will also make the athletics team after this training session. Many fish caught (now whiting and dabs) were just under size and so a lot of running about was in vain, as they outnumbered sizable fish by at least 4 to 1.
At the end we could not split the first two places for the longest bag as both Simon and Barry recorded the same total length and same number of fish (nine each). So there names will go on the trophy as winners and well done to each of them.
Peter, who had brought his beach hut with him to shelter from the draft started slowly but was starting to catch on. He finally brought in the longest fish (whiting) of the day at a respectable 14 inches.
Good job the hotel was close at hand for an afterwards drink and for Barry to was the dog poo off his hands. The things people use for bait these days! :-)
Thanks to Peter, John and Barry for making the 300 odd mile trip up north for this match and congratulations to Simon for getting his name on the trophy at his first attempt.
Till next year....heading south again!
Iain Colquhoun, Joint organiser
1st December 2001
RESULTS
| North Beach, Bridlington - 1st December 2001 | |||
| Fine, calm afternoon on the beach, pity about the dog poo! | |||
| Simon Ostler | Hull 2 | 13.25 | 105.00 inches |
| Barry Davies | Isle of Wight | 13.75 | 105.00 inches |
| Peter Gallagher | Covent Garden M A | 14.00 | 96.50 inches |
| John Downing | Chichester | 13.25 | 88.00 inches |
| Iain Colquhoun | Hull 2 | 12.00 | 55.75 inches |