Family success in open

Sunday’s Folkestone SAA Open saw 95 anglers from all over the UK pegged through Seabrook and Hythe on the best Sunday for weather for weeks. The area was packed with match anglers, freelance anglers and the public out for a stroll. Match winner was Richard Yates, from St Margaret’s Bay. He landed 20 fish, including five dogfish, plus dabs and whiting from peg 23 in the centre of Princes Parade for a weight of 5.270kg. He was fishing black lugworm, tipped fish, on a flapper rig at long range and caught most of his fish on the back of the tide as it ebbed, to win the £ 500 first plus nine points in the National Penn League. Second, just 50g adrift, was Richard’s father-in-law, Tim Fagg of Deal, who landed six dogfish plus dabs for 5.220kg. In third place was Worthing’s Colin Carey with 4.800kg, while the biggest fish pool went to Kevin Scott of Deal for a rare codling of 1.200kg. Several thornback rays reported from Deal pier and Sandwich Bay have raised the question: Are they early spring or late autumn? The ray season is usually spring and summer but in recent years, the population around the Goodwin Sands off Deal has expanded and it looks like rays are now an all-year around species – which is good news. Freshwater club results include the latest Cinque Ports Angling Society event which was fished in the Royal Military Canal at Ladyswalk Hythe. Winner was Graham Clifford with 2.850kg. Catches included a couple of tench and some decent skimmer bream plus eels. Second was Dave Cosgrove with 2.30kg and third Paul Musson with 2.040kg. The most unusual catch was a trout netted by Neil West from peg one at Twiss Bridge. Large open beach competitions are popular at this time of year with Seabrook and Hythe popular venues. Coming up next is the Fountain Open on February 2. Top prize is £1,000 with entries limited to 200. For more details ring 01303 260875.