The event this year took place from 2nd to 9th October. It started with appalling weather, wind and rain restricting marks that anglers could safely fish but what a cracking start. Loads of black bream to 3lb 13oz initially caught and backed up by several other species. For those that don’t know the format there are nine categories and to assist with conservation each fish is given a qualifying weight which is a tough one but reflects the quality of Alderney’s fishing. If you catch a fish above the qualifying weight then it takes one of the five places on the board. If the five places fill during the week then you need to beat 5th spot to get on the board so it gets harder as the week progresses. It involves a game plan around the venues to fish, the weather and of course the tides. Substantial planning involved for success in this brilliant event.
This year we experienced some really good angling. Even the sole/plaice category filled up which is unusual. Personally I had the best fishing in four years but only managed one counting fish, that’s just the way it goes. Matt Pitter finished with 16 species throughout the week which from the shore is simply fantastic fishing. It was good to see so many quality fish right through the range of species as you can see from the results published below. Fish that never made the scoreboard included codling, coalfish, dab, smoothound, blonde ray and red mullet, including one of 2lb 9oz. That’s how good the fishing was during the week. Many thanks to the 104 that turned up from the UK, Jersey and our nearby neighbours Guernsey; we know you had a good time and thanks for supporting the festival year in year out, its not a cheap one but your support is truly appreciated.
Congratulations go to Steve Harder and Andy Le Lerre for winning the Best UK Angler and Best Channel Islands Angler respectively, picking up £150 each. In each category there are cash and prizes to be won; 1st prize is £150, 2nd £125, 3rd £100 with 4th place receiving a ABU Ambassadeur 7000i and 5th collecting £70 of various Berkley Tec Tools. Team/Pairs/Veteran all receive cash prizes too. Here is the full list of the winners in each category and the full list of all top recorded fish can be downloaded here.
HARBOUR LIGHTS CONGER TROPHY
1. Daniel Slim 30-12-0 50.00%
LLOYDS TSB COUCHES SEA BREAM TROPHY
1. Ian Le Blancq 1-5-10 46.26%
RALPH DUPLAIN BALLAN WRASSE TROPHY
1. Andy Loveridge 6-8-6 76.47%
SID BOHAN BLACK BREAM TROPHY
1. Alastair House 4-4-0 71.06%
AURIGNY PLAICE/ SOLE TROPHY
1. Steve Harder SOLE 3-3-12 49.46%
MICHAEL SOWDEN BASS TROPHY
1. Andy Le Lerre 8-15-12 54.40%
MARGOT NEWTON THICK LIPPED MULLET TROPHY
1. Daniel Slim 5-15-10 50.23%
MACKEREL/ GARFISH/ SCAD TROPHY Only one prize of £50 in this section
1. Steve Greenway GARFISH 1-4-4 64.29%
ERIC BUNNEY TROPHY BEST FISH OVER 5LB
1. Michael Bohan BULL HUSS 10-6-8 75.42%
CHEZ ANDRE TROPHY BEST UNDER 5LB
1. Andy Loveridge LESSER SPOTTED DOGFISH 2-7-0 93.73%
RICHARD McCARTHY MEMORIAL TROPHY HEAVIEST FISH RETURNED ALIVE
Daniel Slim Conger Eel 30-12-0
LE COCQS LADIES TROPHY
Naomi Hall (Bristol)
BERT MESSAM PLAICE TROPHY
Kevin Frain PLAICE 2-14-2
ANDY JAMES TROPHY CARTILIGINOUS TROPHY
Andy Loveridge LESSER SPOTTED DOGFISH 2-7-0
HERBIE PYKE TROPHY Committee decision for top fish of festival
Steve Greenway POLLACK 10-0-4
THREE BEARDED ROCKLING – Optional Pool £73 not won, donated to RNLI
NEW ALDERNEY RECORD
Danny Le Merrer caught a Twaite Shad which will now be in the record lists, it weighed 1lb 2oz 6 drams and Danny collected £100 for it.
THE VERMIN TROPHY FOR THE BEST PAIR
Andy Le Lerre/ Glen Cortez 319.11%
GANNETS TROPHY FOR BEST TEAM
West and Guest (Andy Loveridge, Keith Quertier, Andy Le Lerre, Glen Cortez) 535.68%
VETERAN TROPHY Over 55’s
Kevin Frain
BEST CHANNEL ISLAND ANGLER
Andy Le Lerre 4 species 248.07%
BEST UK ANGLER
Steve Harder 5 species 242.03%
Many thanks too from Fieona and myself at the shop for supporting us so well. Also the Festival doesn’t work without the financial or physical support of our sponsors so many thanks to the following for all their help:
Jack and Daphne Main, Lloyds TSB, Alderney Branch, States of Alderney, Alderney Angling and Sports, Aurigny, Alderney Shipping, Huelin Renouf, Island Construction, Island Scaffold, Campania, Le Cocqs, Boardman Chemists, Tickled Pink, Daiwa, Abu, Shimano, Leeda, Swift Fishing Tackle, Ian Golds, Braye Beach Hotel, Dimmers, Nellie Gray’s, Mick’s Fishing Supplies, Quayside, Tackle Direct.
Thanks to Norman Butel for attending all of the weigh-ins to take photographs.
Hopefully see you all again next year when it is 22nd to 29th October 2011, get your accommodation booked, cars booked for coming over and flights done. Aurigny is 01481 822886, list of accommodation is on www.alderney.net and to book your car phone either Alderney Shipping on 01481 824484 (Poole or Guernsey) or Huelin Renouf on 01481 8240404 (Southampton or Jersey).
