Good cod! Pauls catch is a winner (From Barry And District News)

Good cod! Pauls catch is a winner

DECEMBER started as November had ended, with a hardly a bite, when in the past we would have expected to catch whiting and cod by the bucketload.

After the previous week's poor results, it didn't come as a surprise when only four out of the 14 anglers managed to catch a fish in the first competition of the month.

Having said that, the 12lb eel that Kevin Gardner landed was a fine fish by any standards. Kevin Salih continued his good form with an eel for second place, and Roger Green snubbed his Rockling entourage to land an eel for third place. Mickey Langford landed a smaller eel for fourth and final place.

The final doubles competition on the following Sunday was the last chance for the two-man teams to make a claim on this prestigious trophy.

Given recent showings, expectations were low, but the day proved to be a pleasant surprise, with all but three of the 16 anglers bringing fish to the scale.

On top of this, we were treated to a wide range of species, including green eels, conger, whiting, two sorts of slugs, and, to cap it all, that most exotic of species, a cod.

This fine fish that hit the scales at 6lb helped its captor Paul Coles to a convincing winning total of almost 17lb.

The fact that it rates as one of the best cod of the past year is indicative of just how bad the cod fishing has become.

Paul was joined by podium regulars Aida Harris, Kevin Salih, Richard Lougher, Kevin Gardner and up and coming youngster Bob Harris.

Another of the Keven triplets, Sewelly, managed to land four different species, including a conger under 4lb - a feat of extreme weedling that even Crooky would appreciate.

Next week's event is the second leg of the Christmas competition, and will doubtless be fiercely contested, especially by that remarkable small band that managed to weigh in on the first leg.

It will be followed by a social evening and presentation of prizes and a good feed. Please remember that all cards need to be returned well before the extended cut-off off time of 6.30pm, if at all possible.

Members are reminded that the AGM is scheduled for January 19, and all letters have to be in by next week's meeting on December 22.

We need new committee members and a number of positions are available, including Shore Secretary, Boat Secretary and Roy Bailey.

Anyone wishing to collect beer vouchers needs to come along to the club on Christmas Eve - if you don't want them, please leave them in an envelope behind the bar marked'Stringfellow'.

COMPETITION RESULTS 4/12/05

1 K GARDNER 12lb 10oz

2 K SALIH 7lb 8oz

3 R GREEN 3lb 8oz

4 M LANGFORD 2lb 9oz