Isle of Anglesey Boat Festival

THE first ever Isle of Anglesey Charter Boat open attracted 95 anglers, who fished at anchor over two days from 12 of North Wales’ best known charter boats.

The main target species turned out to be whiting and dogfish, with occasional dabs, codling, pouting and huss.
Day One saw a strong North Westerly blow delay the start from 7am until 1pm, and owing to this, the venue was moved from the waters off Moelfre to Bull bay at Amlwch and the fishing time reduced from six to four hours.

Fishing was scratchy, with whiting, dogs and dabs the main species caught, but at the end of the day 14 anglers had 100 per cent with Lancashire fireman Kevin Preston leading the pack on a fish count back of 60.
Day Two saw all 12 boats fish in relative close proximity to one another, a couple miles off Moelfre, the festival’s main fishing grounds.
With a full six hours of fishing planned, some of the anglers were in for a shock as to the sheer volume of fish available to them, with whiting and dogfish once again the main target species.
Scottish International Gordon Lyall took the most fish on day two an impressive 172 being recorded.
At the end of the two days four anglers were tied on 200 per cent, but after a fish countback it was Kevin Preston who took home the £700 first prize from Gordon Lyall, with a score of 217 fish to 206. Third place went to another Scottish International, Rob Reaich, with 195 fish. Wales rod Colin Orme Thomas in fourth with 173 fish.