Angling

With the warm summer evenings now upon us, the beach angler can look forward to some after-dark sport with catches of sole and bass. Both species are quite tough to find and you need to do your homework to discover the spots that are producing. Black lug for the soles and large baits – like whole squid or mackerel – for the bass. Remember you can now take one bass per day for your own use. Local angler Simon Newman found sport hectic in the Channel off Dungeness with tope to 30lb, conger eels and rays. The Folkestone Anglers fished to club boundaries with Andy Gainy taking top rod with 10.360kg, that included a wrasse of more than 1kg. Jacob Gainy was second (2.780kg), with Martyn Reid third (1.120kg). The Martin Walters Anglers got among the smoothhounds in their latest beach match. Danny Jago won with 7lb 8oz, that included a 3lb 12oz smoothie. Melvin Lee was second (4lb 12oz) and Paul Norris third (3lb 12oz). The junior open competition on the canal at Ladies Walk saw some excellent catches from the under-16 anglers. Winner with 23lb 7oz was Holly Evans and close behind Tom Broadbridge with 18lb 12oz. Kia Dyer had to work harder for third spot with small roach and perch for 2lb 13oz. If you have had some good sport, let me know by an email to wesleyshrubsole@gmail. com. Tri Spirit pair Nick Whitfield and Greg Steel both had good reasons to be pleased after taking part in Ironman Austria. Whitfield just missed out on a personal best but trimmed 10 minutes of his best swim time, while Steel was pleased with his debut over the distance at Lake Wothersee. Whitfield finished in 11hr 36min 56sec, Steel also going well in the water with a time of 1:13.28, followed by a fast bike and strong run to finish his in 12:28.45. Closer to home, Debbie Milton and Sarah Peachey headed to Wales to take on two sections of the Long Course Weekend in Tenby – a 2.4 mile and a 112 mile bike ride, with an alternative Wales Sportive over 45 miles. Both Peachey and Milton did the swim – finishing in 1:10.11 and 1:22.25 respectively, despite the attentions of a huge jellyfish. Milton took on the longer bike distance as part of her preparation for Ironman Wales in September, which uses the same course, completing the course in 7:16.07. Peachey opted for the shorter bike distance, finishing in 3:08.57.

Tom Broadbridge with one of his catches

Simon Newman with a tope