SouthDevonFishing Anniversary Cup competition
Saturday August 29th 2009
2008:
Following the success of the first anniversary cup competition in 2008, it was decided that this would definitely be a recurring event. The first competition was held at Princess Pier, Torquay on the 31st August 2008.
We anticipated a mediocre response to the announcement but after the initial replies we quickly realised it was going to be popular. On the day there were 15 anglers, who despite the dismal weather conditions were enthusiastic. After 6 hours of fishing from dawn onwards, the competitors managed to land a respectable 15 different species of fish from a very small venue and had a most enjoyable time.
Brixham Bait and Tackle were the sole sponsors of the 2008 competition and they supplied us with a fantastic range of prizes.
2009:
Following the success of 2008's event it was obvious that 2009's would be much anticipated. With this in mind we set to make it more elaborate and set to search for some extra funding for the prize list. Some 120 emails were duly despatched in June to a variety of manufacturers and retailers explaining our circumstances and our intentions about keeping it free for our members. We had a mixed response but were really pleased with the outcome. Having such names as Sakuma, Kiddy-Tempest and Tronix being our first confirmations were great. Brian Harding supplied us with two top class tripods and a weighing tripod for the SDF scales.
In very little time we had a growing list of contributions and feeling very confident about it all. The prizes started getting delivered and it was astonishing to the generosity of the manufacturers in the fishing industry. Ammo were soon on board delivering some fantastic gear and the best fleece I've ever seen.
Even before the announcement o f the 2nd SDF Anniversary cup comp we had managed to build a tidy stock of prizes. Other gear arrived daily, Cheap Lifejackets were soon delivering the fantastic thermal undersuit and other gear, and Tom arrived here delivering another bundle from Brixham Bait and Tackle.
A week building up to the competition was keeping us all on the edges of our seats as Beesands is a wind direction critical venue and we had wind issues. There were actual and forecast gusts of forty plus mph, thankfully it was to become our saviour. We were informed some days earlier that there was unbelievable amounts of red weed at the venue and it was all but un-fishable. We had a quick meeting and discussed the potential of arranging an emergency alternative venue but after visiting Beesands and studying the weather forecasts it was decided to stick with it.
On the day of 29th August we awoke to grey skies and a light breeze. We had chosen the only day in many to have a subsided Westerly wind and no rain forecast. We arrived at Beesands at 14:00 to find many a holiday maker enjoying the beach and a trawler at anchor just off the beach. Unflappable we walked the entire length and breadth of Beesands and declared it perfect. By 17:00 there would be suitable spaces and ample free parking for the competitors.
As soon as we'd done our inspections we had started recognising faces and realised there were already anglers there awaiting the competition. At 16:30 there were only 6 of us and we were getting a bit worried. From then on practically every car that passed stopped and introduced themselves as a competitor and proceeded to park up and gather themselves.
Once we'd signed people in and issued their scorecards it was time for everyone to get their marks and set up. Almost to the second the start of the competition was announced by a massive helicopter doing a low level loop over the beach, it was a fantastic spectacle and I only wish we had arranged it! Two of us remained at the entrance as there were expected latecomers and we wanted to greet them personally. Once 17:30 had passed, all but a few had arrived and we decided to join the others on the beach.
As per our expectations it was a slow start and the anglers had had a go for mackerel and other daytime species. It was as expected and there was a lot of banter and goodwill. I was otherwise occupied when I realised that Andy Copping had arrived to give us a casting demonstration and guidance session. He quickly set up a display and soon we had a keen group of anglers showing interest in what was happening.
Andy was thorough and precise. I, among others were awestruck at the speed and friction free movement of his reels. I thought my Penn 525 was a fast reel, it is positively immobile in comparison! We had a quick overview of the difference between a casting reel and a fishing reel, surprisingly the gGet rid of the magnetsh comments always associated with distance casting was proven to be completely wrong. Technique and consistent methods are the way to go!
With this Andy showed his rods. Again there were obvious differences between a mainstream fishing rod and his casting collection. Not long ago I was buying cars for less than one of the blanks he had! So all together reels, rods, it was time to se the man in question. Having been to Beesands many times myself I was aware of distances average people like myself would achieve and had always thought it over 100yds. Andy cast out a plain lead and announced it had gone probably no more than 200mtrs (240yds) as it wasn't a full on cast, just something to show the technique. What he failed to realise was the fact he'd just shattered many illusions and we were in fact probably lucky to be casting anywhere more than 75yds!
After a few more casts, Andy then took questions and patiently answered them all. Faultless and completely on the nail he never stammered on anything and showed himself to be a complete sportsman. In conclusion Andy brought to our attention the basics of quality angling and the benefits of field casting adding the improvements it would provide, especially in the consistency of our fishing.
So the competition continued and I noticed a profound difference in the casting styles of many anglers, surely not a coincidence? It was steadily fishing with a variety of species such as Spider crab, Cuttlefish, Mackerel, Pollock, then it was announce that John Bailey had landed a 1lb 12oz Dover sole. Amazement and disbelief, this would be a hard fish to beat and John was now the target. It has to be said that this fish was superb. An absolute triumph and well worth the effort put in.
We managed to do a walk of the competitors and have a brief chat with them all. It was apparent that everyone was enjoying the mild weather and general ambience of it all. Darkness had fallen and the Start Point lighthouse was doing it's job magnificently. The moon was unhindered with a nigh on cloud free night. Rather sooner than many of us hoped, 23:00 had come around and we'd run out of time. A variety of different whistles announced the end of the SDF 2009 anniversary Cup Comp.
So after all had packed away we assembled at the SDF car it was time for the prize giving ceremony. There were a number of wooden spoons handed out to none less than:
Obiwan, wolfie, Young William, CJ, Young Tom, and Bluey. More competitors would have won a spoon but neglected to submit their scorecards!
1st prize: BAILEY
10ft Jarvis Walker Beach caster.
Brian Harding 6ft beach tripod.
Mitchell fixed spool reel.
Sakuma 20lb monofilament line.
Sakuma 60lb shock leader.
Sakuma rigs.
Tempest sidewinders.
Fladen baseball cap
Ammo winter hat.
2nd prize: Nemesis_SLR
Fladen thermal under suit.
Tronix box of components and rig winders.
Masterline-Walker fixed spool reel.
Ammo insulated bait bag.
Tempest sidewinders.
Sakuma baseball cap.
3rd prize: RM
Masterline-Walker Fixed spool reel.
Sakuma baseball cap.
Tempest sidewinders.
Salt rig wallet.
Line stripper.
Best fish: BAILEY
Brian Harding 4ft tripod.
Tempest sidewinders.
Most species: BAILEY
Ammo insulated bait bag.
Ammo winter hat.
Tempest sidewinders.
The Sweepstake: Mth won the sweepstake by drawing Baileyfs name.
Ammo fleece (very nice indeed!)
Tempest sidewinders
It goes without saying we would like to give a massive thanks to Andy Copping for his time, excellent tuition and exhibition and also to thank all those who attended.
The 2009 SouthDevonFishing Anniversary Cup competition was sponsored by:
Brian Harding marine products.
