Rokers and rockers bite

THE ANNUAL Mid Yell Boating Club fishing competition was held last weekend.

Friday was for flat fish and 54 anglers on 10 boats fished along the east side of Yell, mainly in the Bastavoe area. Weather conditions were reasonable – a dull morning with a nice, sunny afternoon.

<b>Charlie Hunter with a 129lb common skate. </b><i>Photo: Howard Foster</i>
Charlie Hunter with a 129lb common skate.
Photo: Howard Foster


Charles Hunter caught the only common skate weighing 129lb and the fish was returned alive.

Eighteen rocker skate were caught, Richard Gray having one at 20.2lb.

Magnus Laurenson had the heaviest basket of roker at 39.8lb, winning the new Roker Trophy donated by Ken Graham and Jim Unsworth.

The Blind Hoe Trophy was won by Tommy Tyler with 43 hoes.

Saturday saw 65 anglers on 12 boats set off in a light, southerly wind. They were spread from south of Fetlar to the north end of Yell, resulting in a mixed catch of cod, ling and pollock. The biggest fish was a 16.94lb ling caught by Thelma Irvine.

A spokesman said it was the best competition so far, with record numbers of anglers both days and a big plus being the nice weather.

He said the club would to thank the skippers and boat owners for their continued support, especially during the current time of high fuel prices. They were the mainstays of the competition.

Thanks were also due to Jason Stanley and Michelle Johnson of Mainstream; David Coutts of Shetland Norse for the weigh-in etc; Vernon Smith for the transporting the fish and boxes; C&S Mussels for the use of the Nelli; Ken Graham, Jim Unsworth and Linkshouse Stores for donating new trophies; and Jim Burgess for his prize which he has donated for the last 16 yrs.

Results
Women: 1 Thelma Irvine 17.38lb; 2 Vaila Smith 15.51lb; 3 Cris Cummings 15.29lb.
Men: 1 Michael Gray 134.09lb; 2 Ian Nicholson 106.92lb; 3 Gordon Johnson 99.66lb.
Heaviest fish: Thelma Irvine, 16.94lb olick.
Women’s heaviest fish: Thelma Irvine, 16.94lb olick.
Longest fish: Thelma Irvine, 44.5 inch olick.
Heaviest cod: Jim Unsworth, 11.0lb.
Heaviest tusk: Stanley Nisbet, 4.29lb.
Smallest fish: Ryan Nisbet, 20.59g pout.
Most species, Jamie Watt Trophy: Howard Foster with seven.
Best specimen by local angler: Peter Johnson (blind hoe) 63 per cent.
Best visiting angler: Michael Gray 134.09lb.
Blind Hoe Trophy: Tommy Tyler, 43 hoes (new record).
Men’s team two anglers: Gordon Johnson x2, 199.32lb.
Women’s team two anglers: Cris Cummings x2, 30.58lb.
Most unusual: Colin Petrie, sand eel.
Best boat, Saturday: Joanne Clare, 96.78lb average.
Heaviest basket, skate: Charlie Hunter, 144.6lb.
Heaviest basket, roker, Roker Trophy: Magnus Lauerenson, 39.2lb.
Heaviest fish, skate: Charlie Hunter, 129lb common.
Best boat, skate day: Merlin, 57.33lb average.
Common Skate Trophy: Charlie Hunter, 129lb common.
Best angler over 60 skate day: Frankie Brown 15.4lb.
Best angler over two days: Charlie Hunter, 202.13lb.
Best local angler over two days: Ian Nicholson, 106.92lb.
Best boat over two days, Arnold Trophy: Joanne Clare, 50.87lb average.
Best angler over 40: Ian Nicholson 106.92lb.
Best angler under 40: Michael Gray 134.09lb.
Best angler over 60: Gordon Johnson 99.66lb.
Poorest team: Ryan Nisbet and Tommy Finnie 13.31lb.
Booby: Peter Reed.

Next year’s competition will take place on 7th and 8th August.

The junior competition was held on 23rd July. Twenty young anglers took part with the top weight of 56lb equalled by Calvin Sharp and Ashleigh Nesbit. First prize went to Calvin, however, as he had the heaviest fish, with Ashleigh taking second and third place going to Bradley Sharp.

The heaviest fish prize was won by Calvin Sharp and the prize for most species went to Bradley Sharp.

The best angler under 10 years was Ashleigh Nisbet and best team was Ashleigh Nisbet and Dean Guthrie.

The spokesman said special thanks were due to Jamie Watt for his donation which paid for tackle for each young angler and Dennis Bright’s donation towards next year’s junior competition.

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