Ladies Day 2008 Winner Mabel Macleay |
With nearly two years since the last one because of work on the club boat, the ladies of Stornoway Sea Angling Club finally managed to have their Ladies Day competition. There were only six ladies taking part this year, after three of them had to withdraw beforehand, so with Angie Mopp at the wheel of the SYSAC 2, and Gillies, CJ and Donnie Morrison out to lend a hand, all we had to do was find the fish, and help baiting & untangling in this very fiercely contested competition.
Waking up on Saturday morning, everyone anticipated a fantastic day out at sea there was not a single breath of wind, and the sun was shining brightly. On arrival in Carloway it was a slightly different story however, with bit of breeze blowing from the North West and it was pretty cloudy, looking like it would rain. But, on a positive note though for the ladies, the day started of pretty good, as it was high tide when we arrived over at Carloway, meaning that their biggest fear of the day was not going to be too bad at all the dreaded ladder down the side of the pier to the boat. None of them had any problems though, and they were all quickly onboard the boat. As we set of, looking out of Loch Carloway it was quickly apparent that there was quite a sea running and skipper Angie Mopp decided heading to West Loch Roag would be the best solution for a comfortable day at sea. On the way out we stopped of to catch some Mackerel, none came in though, instead a number of Pollack and Coalfish came aboard, we gave it a few minutes fishing here as for two of the ladies it was there very first time out and they were new to boat angling, so it was a chance for them to get to know how to use a multiplier and boat rod, and wind a fish or two. We then headed through to West Loch Roag and stopped of again hoping this time for some Mackerel, immediately plenty were coming in, including a nice one of 1 lb 6 oz for Sandra Dodson. When the ladies had enough we moved onto another mark, and once they started fishing, a number of Pollack, Coalfish Red Gurnard, and pest Mackerel came aboard.
The weather turned pretty yucky after about an hours fishing, and there was a strong wind blowing giving bit of a motion, and with the rain lashing down also it was not to nice a day, this did not dampen spirits though, and none of them let the weather spoil the day for them and they were all busy enjoying the day. The fishing in West Loch Roag though was not exactly great, so we decided to head over to Cliff Bay hoping for some variety in species. A number of good sized Dabs came aboard the first few drifts, along with numerous small Grey Gurnards, but Mackerel were a big problem here in the shallower water as the boat drifted along, and once the skipper of the boat eventually realised this, and that the fishing out in slightly deeper was better, we moved and some nice fish came aboard including the heaviest fish of the competition a 2 lb 8 oz Tub Gurnard for Mabel Macleay. As we fished on there was plenty of Gurnards, Dabs, and a few just under sized Spotted and Cuckoo Rays coming aboard, then just before the end of the day Mabel took in a Megrim just to make sure of her win on the day.
Species caught on the day included.
Mackerel, Herring, Haddock, Whiting, Coalfish, Pollack, Red Gurnard, Grey Gurnard, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Megrim, Dab, Plaice, Spotted Ray and Cuckoo Ray.
| |
Angler |
Pts |
% |
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. |
Mabel Macleay
Mairi "Mopp" Montgomery
Sandra "Mopp" Mackay
Sharon Mackinnon
Anita Maclean
Sandra Dodson |
82
59
58
42
42
36 |
100
71.95
70.73
51.22
51.22
43.90 |
Photographs from Ladies Day
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