Bright sunshine and light winds gave an idyllic start to the Steamer Quay Competition hosted by Baywater Anglers on Friday, 19th August 2011, as part of the Totnes Carnival celebrations. Though the water was low, competitors were soon into fish with flounders, eels and bass all making sporadic appearances, gradually increasing in numbers as the tide covered over the muddy bottom.
As you might expect, eels were the first to show with a handful of ‘bootlaces’ giving their captors a single point each. A few more bass appeared but these were further down the river with little showing at the top end of the competition.
The Head family – Jeff, Jordan, Michael and Mum, Lisa – who were fishing towards the tail end of the competition boundaries, were enjoying quite a run of fish, enough to place each of them in a position to win a prize. Then, as the water deepened further, some bigger eels began to make an appearance, this time sizeable fish that would earn their captors 10 points each. Ella Miles, one of the junior competitors, caught the biggest during this period at 9 ozs 8 drms, which was 23.75% of specimen rating. Like all of the fish caught in this catch and release competition, it was measured, weighed and soon returned alive to the water.
Finally though it was Jim Luxton, with 13 points, who came first. Lisa Head, Baywater Anglers, came in second with 12 points while Ella Miles caught a second fish, a bass, to nudge her into third place with 11 points. Brian Binmore, Baywater Anglers, was fourth with 10 points while Michael Head, also Baywater Anglers, came in fifth with 6 points, catching the most fish of all the competitors. Dad Jeff came in sixth, pipping his other son, Jordan, on length since both had three points. Marilyn Bolt won the lady’s prize and Katie Smalldon took the junior prize.
Speaking on behalf of Baywater Anglers, I would like to thank all of the competition sponsors for their generous donations, particularly in the current economic climate. Their kindness, both in this and previous years, has helped the competition to become the popular and well-established event that it now is and is very much appreciated by both club members and the Totnes Carnival Committee.
