Junior

Junior Section Organiser, Kev Jones.
Headwyn@aol.com

Junior Winter League 2010

Match 2 - Tan Lan - 14th February 2010

Only 2 juniors braved the rain for the second leg of Colwyn Bay Victoria sea angling clubs junior winter league at Tan Lan.

Fishing 1 down and 2 up, the kids took up positions either side of the stone breakwater so they could target the Rockling that feed around the structure.

All was quiet until darkness fell, when Thomas Jones was first to register a bite. This resulted in the first fish which was a Rockling measured at 22cms and released.

The other Thomas ( Davies ) was next to catch with a better fish of 25cms taking him into the lead.

The tide was flooding by now and the fish came on to the feed. Both of the kids continued to get bites but it was Tom J who managed to take advantage and move into the lead with a fish of 21cms, followed by another of 22cms.

Tom D was missing bites as the tide pushed us back up the groyne, but Tom J managed a double header to move well clear.

The match ended at 8pm and the rain had stopped by now so we could load the cars up and do the prize giving in the dry.

Thomas Jones won the match and £10 1st prize with 5 Rockling for a total length of 98cms. Thomas Davies was second with 1 Rockling of 25cms which earned him £5.

Match 1 - Flint Cob - 24th January 2010

Only 2 juniors turned up in the rain for the first leg of this years Winter league, with 2 more too ill to come.

The kids set up and fished hard in the conditions which kept changing from a bit soggy to totally drenched!

Both Jack and Tom had a number of bites, some belters, but they were struggling to hook the fish responsible.

A couple of the pleasure anglers who were fishing near us caught a decent Flounder each but the kids remained fishless for most of the match.

Just as it was looking like i was going to have to draw for the prizes, Thomas Davies caught a 21cm Whiting to take the lead.

This was all the action there was, so we hurried back to the cars and some warmth and dryness.

Thomas Davies won the match with his 21cm Whiting, earning him 15 points.
Jack Peters was second and is on 5 points.

Junior Summer League 2009

Match 4 - Rhyl Foryd - 30th August 2009

3 juniors fished a warm but soggy Foryd for the final leg of Colwyn Bay Victoria sea angling clubs Junior summer league 2009.

All armed with peeler crab and reports of good numbers of Flounder in the river, hopes were high for the match, and the first cast produced fish for Jack and Stephen.

Tom managed a double header on his second cast and everything was looking very good until a group turned up with a jetski and spent half an hour whizzing through the area in front of the kids, which put the fish right off.

They eventually went further downstream, and although the fish did start feeding again, not in the numbers they were before.

At the end of the match, Stephen took the honours with 9 Flounders for a total length of 333cms.
Jack was second with 4 Flounders and 2 Eels for 229cms and Tom was third with 2 Flounders for 77cms.

The Summer league champion is Tom with 55 points from 4 matches fished and a total of 404cms.
Stephen finishes second with 2 wins from 2 matches fished giving him 30 points and 536cms in total.
Elliot also won 2 matches for 30 points, but his total of 349cms puts him in third position and Jack is fourth with 27 points from 2 matches and a total of 331cms.

I will publish dates for the junior Winter league in the near future.

Match 3 - Benarth - 5th July 2009

Three juniors fished the third leg of the junior summer league at Benarth, including a new member so welcome to Jack!

As usual at this venue it was fish from the off. Tom was first to catch with a Flounder of 35cms.
The Flounders continued to come in steadily, Stephen had a single and then a double header of smaller ones to take him into the lead. Jack found a small one too so all the kids had caught early on which is always good for enthusiasm levels.

Stephen only had frozen crab, but Chris spent a good while routing around to supliment these with some fresh ones which were doing the business with the small Flounder.
Tom had another couple of fish to keep in touch with Stephen and Jack found the first Eel of the match which was rounded up to 50cms.

Time plodded on and the Flounders just kept coming! Usually the Flounders go off the feed and are replaced by Eels but this didnt happen today. Maybe it was due to fresh water coming down the river after yesterdays sharp showers, or because it was a smaller tide than we usually fish here, but we werent complaining as the Flounder continued to take the bait.

Stephen had a treble header to move into a clear lead. Tom had another decent Flounder of 36cms but Jack moved up into second with another Eel which was rounded down to 30cms.

Stephen took his tally up to 9 Flounders as we approached the end. Jack was in second, but only just and a fish on the last cast would make a big difference for either him or Tom.

Fortunately for Tom, it was him to managed it with a small Flounder to move him back up into second position.

Sadly, Jack found a snag. Chris did his best to free it but when it came in the hooks were empty so Jack had to settle for third.

The final result saw Stephen take top spot with 9 Flounders for 203cms. Tom was second with 4 Flounders for 112cms, just pipping Jack who took third prize with a Flounder and 2 Eels for 102cms.

With one match remaining, the league table is as follows;
1. Thomas Jones. 327cms 42 points.
2. Elliot Roberts. 349cms 30 points.
3. Stephen Higginson. 203cms 15 points.
4. Jack Peters. 102cms 13 points.

The final match of the league will be at Rhyl Foryd on Sunday 30th August, fishing from 17-30 until 20-30.

Match 2 - Benarth - 7th June 2009

Only two juniors fished the second leg of Colwyn Bay Victoria sea angling clubs Junior Summer league at Benarth earlier today.

The easterly wind and occasional showers were a shock to the system after last weeks fine weather but as this venue has shelter on three sides, it wasnt unpleasant.

As we have found after fishing here for the last couple of years, the Flounders are usually on the feed in the earlier part of the ebb, giving way to lots of little Eels over low.

Today was no exception and Elliot was first to catch with a Flounder of 39cms within the first half hour. He followed this up next cast with one slightly smaller at 37cms.

Tom was getting a little dispondent, after being beaten by 4 Flounders to 1 in the first leg, he was getting worried but a little rattle on his rod soon snapped him out of it. He waited for it to go again, but when he tried to reel it in, it was stuck hard on a snag.

I told him to let a big bow of line out and watch his rod, if it nodded again he could try reeling in again.

This worked a treat. The line slowly tightened and a much more positive bite followed. He grabbed the rod and started reeling. The rig had freed from the snag and he was huffing and puffing a bit while reeling it in. I had visions of a lump of weed or possibly a decent Flounder, but after a couple of splashes, a head emerged from the water that had us all smiling.

It was Toms first Bass and he had a Flounder on the bottom hook for good measure.

It was measured at 42 cms and promptly returned along with the 25cm Flounder.

Elliot had another Flounder of 29cms before it briefly went quiet.This didnt last long as the Eels replaced the Flounders and bites picked up again.

The Eels werent there in their usual numbers, but there were enough to keep us entertained.

With half an hour to go there was just one fish in it, Tom trailed Elliot by 7cms and a decent Eel would probably win it for him. It was time for the Eels to stop feeding though. Crabs started robbing the baits and just to rub salt in the wound, Elliot pulled in a 23cm Flounder to take top spot in the match with 208cms. Toms 177cms was agonisingly close, but he was more than happy with the Bass, which is his biggest fish to date, and his main target species for the year nailed.

Match 1 - Rhyl Foryd - 17th May 2009

The Summer league started off with just 2 juniors fishing the first match at the Foryd.

Elliot had a rugby presentation but would be joining us later so Tom had about an hour to build up a healthy lead in the blustery conditions.

Flounder rigs were prepared and baited with fresh crab and at 3pm were sent out into the depths for the Flounders to feast on.

We waited......

baits were refreshed every 15 minutes and we waited some more.......

Tom had a bite on his third cast which was banging away quite happily, but upon reeling in there was nothing there.

Elliot arrived and started fishing and his arrival coincided with that of the fish. He was first to catch with a fish of 34cms.

Elliot had another good bite but all went quiet so he left it where it was having seen Tom miss his bite. When the rod went again he reeled in a double header of Flounders measuring 39 and 36cms putting him into a healthy lead.

Tom had another bite which we left but didnt develop into anything and time was starting to slip away.

With under half an hour to go, Elliot found a fourth fish of 32cms so i sent Tom to fish on his shoulder.

Toms last cast went out and a good rattle signalled the tactics had worked, the question was whether it was hooked or not?

It kept pulling hard so with seconds left Tom reeled in his first and only fish of the day, a 38cm Flounder.

The final result was Elliot in first place with 141cms. Tom second with 38cms.

Hopefully there will be a load more fish in the next junior match at Benarth on 7th June.

Junior Winter League 2009

Match 2 - Rhyl Foryd - 4th April 2009

Four juniors fished the second and final leg of the 2009 Winter league at Rhyls Foryd harbour.

With a limited supply of fresh peelers, Tom and Elliot had a distinct advantage and after a dry week I was confident we would see a Flounder or 2.

We kicked off at 5pm, and Elliot and Tom both had bites on their first cast.

Elliot reeled his in first fish which was a 34cm Flounder after quarter of an hour. Closely followed by Tom, with one of 38cms.

Second cast saw these two register another Flounder each, Elliots was 31cm and Toms was 36cm.

Elliot didnt manage to hook any more fish, but my magic rigs ensured Tom added another species to his card with a very early Eel. Its length was rounded down to 40cm, and i got covered in slime

After a couple of missed bites to each of them, and Stephen and Carls rods remaining quiet, Tom had a belting bite that started swimming towards the slipway. He reeled in to find another Eel had taken 2 of his 3 hooks! This one was also rounded down to 40 cms and was the last of the action, leaving us to sit out a chilly final hour until 8pm and home time.

Tom took the honours with 2 Flounders and 2 Eels for 154 cms. Elliots 2 Flounders earned him second place with 65 cms and Stephen and Carl both failed to catch.

This result sees Tom win the Winter league with 2 wins out of 2 matches. Elliot takes second place with a second and a third place and Stephen is third and Carl fourth.

1, Thomas Jones 30 points 320 cms
2, Elliot Roberts 27 points 96 cms
3, Stephen Higginson 19 points 83 cms
4, Carl Higginson 5 points.

Match 1 - Colwyn Prom - 21st February 2009

Three kids fished the first leg of the CBVSAC Junior winter league at Colwyn Bay.

We arrived to find the area in front of the arches was taken so we moved to underneath the hump, where we managed to fit in between the 4 anglers who were fishing the flood here.

We had to start down on the beach due to the size of the tide but the kids were into fish within the first couple of casts.

Elliot was first with a Rockling of 17 cms, Stephen had a couple in quick sucession, including a nice one of 24 cms, but Tom managed a double header of twins, both measuring 19cms to take the lead.

The tide pushed us onto the prom and next cast Tom brought in a treble of slugs, including a decent one that was just under specimen weight.

Stephen managed to add a couple more fish to his card, but Elliot struggled and could only manage 1 more tiny Rockling. Meanwhile, Tom was bagging up, and had a Flounder of 17cms and a Shanny before the end of the match as well as a couple more slugs.

The final scores were, 7 Rockling, a Flounder and a Shanny to Tom for a match winning total length of 166cms. Stephen had 4 Rockling for 83cms and Elliot managed 2 for 31cms.

Junior Summer League 2008

Match 5 - Rhyl Foryd - 7th September 2008

Three juniors fished the final leg of the junior summer league at the Foryd.

The heavy rain of the last few days meant the water was racing downstream, even half way through the flood, bringing all sorts of crap with it. The winds had dropped and it was dry for a change but I wasnt banking on there being any fish feeding, we gave it a go anyway.

Within the first half hour, Tom and Elliot had both missed bites, and landed a fish each, maybe it wasnt all doom and gloom 

Tom won the match with 2 Eels and 2Flounders for 128 cms.
Elliot was second with a Flounder and an Eel for 69 cms and Stephen was third but unfortunately didnt manage to catch.

These placings led to a tie at the top of the final league table, between Tom and Elliot, both on 72 points. 

Elliot took the title with a total length of 617 cms over the 5 matches, 105 cms ahead of Tom. ( I knew those dropped Eels at Flint and Benarth would be costly for Tom!) Stephen was third in the league with 37 points and Evan fourth with 10.

1	Elliot Roberts	72	617cms
2	Thomas Jones	72	512cms
3	Stephen Higginson	37	156cms
4	Evan Adams	10	0cms

Many thanks to the crew of Bass Hunter who kindly donated a starter beach kit, they had won at an Open recently, which was awarded to Elliot for winning the league.

I hope the kids enjoyed all the matches. There were fish caught at every match, so hopefully we can repeat it in the winter league.

Dates coming soon!

Match 4 - Benarth - 20th July 2008

Three juniors fished the fourth leg of the junior summer league, at Benarth on 20/07/08. The weather brightened up about an hour before we were due to begin, and this spot is protected from the wind so it made for quite a pleasant day.

Bites came thick and fast throughout the match, but it was a struggle to hook and land the bootlace Eels which were in abundance.

At the end of the match, Elliot had walked it, with a bag of a Bass, 5 Eels and a Flounder for a total of 266cms.
Stephen was second, with 2 Eels and a cracking Flounder for 126cms, and Tom was third with a Flounder and an Eel for 72cms.

The last match of the league will be held at The Foryd on 07/09/2008, fishing from 14-00 until 17-00.

Going into this match, the current league placings are;
1. Elliot, 58 points, 548cms
2. Tom, 57 points, 384cms
3. Stephen, 32 points, 156cms
4. Evan, 10 points, 0cms

Match 3 - Flint Cob - 22nd June2008

Three juniors braved strong winds to fish the third leg of the junior summer league at Flint on 22/06/08.

We fished half way along the stretch, where the water is within a short lob three hours before high, which is when we started. The bank behind us sheltered us well from the wind, which was a bonus.

Elliot started well, he was fishing with a broken thumb and had three fish measured before anyone else had a bite!

Tom opened his account with one of 50 cms. ( We round the length down to the nearest 10 cms to keep make measuring them easier)

Things were still quiet for Stephen, although his step dad was catching a few next to him.

As we got closer to high water, the size of the Eels decreased, but the Elliot and Tom kept getting bites.

Tom had a bit of bad luck, when a small Eel dropped off as he lifted it out of the water, i hope this isnt vital at the end of the league.

At the end of the match, Elliot was the winner with 4 Eels and a Flounder for 209cms. Tom was second with 3 Eels for 110cms and Stephen took third prize, but unfortunately failed to catch!

The current league placings are;

1. Tom                            44 points                          312cms

2. Elliot                           43 points                          282cms

3. Stephen                        18points                            30cms

4. Evan                             10points                              0cms              

Match 2 - Deganwy - 18th May 2008

Four juniors fished the second leg of CBVSACs junior summer league at Deganwy, on Sunday afternoon.

Bright sunshine, and a slight breeze, meant we could comfortably fish in the bay, rather than at the signal box, as was the case with both matches here last summer.

We decided on the mouth of the narrows, and things got off to a good start as Tom reeled in a 20cm Flounder on his first cast.

As the three hour match progressed, Elliot was next to catch, a good bite resulting in a specimen Flounder of 38 cms, which was weighed at 01-08-04 Lbs. Stephen was next to catch, with one of 30 cms.

The lads missed a couple of bites between them, as the time slipped away, and before long it was time for the match to finish, and for everyone to reel in.   

Tom had a bit of trouble reeling in, and got caught in a couple of snags as he retrieved. He had luck with him today, because upon getting his rig in, it had a big Flounder on the end of it! This was measured at 41 cms and was enough to take top honours in the match, his second win on the trot!!!

Final results were, Tom was the winner with 2 Flounder for 61 cms, second was Elliot with a 38 cm Flounder and Stephen was third with one of 30cms. Evan was fourth as he unfortunately failed to catch.

Match 1 - Rhyl Foryd - 27th April 2008

Three juniors fished the first leg of the junior summer league at Rhyl Foryd on Sunday 27th April. Rain earlier in the day, and low lying cloud, which was obscuring the top of the sky tower may have put a few off.

The match started 3 hours before high water, on a 24.3 ft tide, and as the first casts went in, the estuary was beginning to flood, prime time for the Flounders.

The match finished at 4pm. Tom took the honours and £7.50 1st prize, with 4 Flounders for 141 cms, Elliot was second with one of 35 cms for £5 and Evan got the third prize of £2.50 for his efforts.

For a full report with photos, check out the forum.

Junior Winter League Reports 2008

Match 1 - Conwy Morfa - Saturday 16th February 2008

Only 2 juniors braved the biting Easterly breeze to fish the first leg of the Junior Winter league, at Conwy Morfa. With temperatures forecast to fall to minus 6 tonight, it was cold enough, but the wind chill must have taken another 5 degrees off. 

Tom and Elliot were joined by Dave Elmer, who was after his specimen Rockling, and Terry put a rod out as well, so the question was “Were there any fish playing?” 

It was all quiet, until 18-20, when Elliot had a knock that he missed. Dave had a small Rockling, and Elliot managed to find a Flounder on his next cast, which measured 19cms. 

Tom had retired to the car between casts, due to the falling temperature, but the sight of a couple of fish spurred him on, and upon reeling in, he found a Flounder of 24cms had taken a fancy to his crab bait. 

Next cast, with 3 crab halves as bait, then back to the car for 15 minutes. He saw Dave with another Rockling, and Terry came up to tell us Toms rod was nodding. We rushed down to the waters edge and Tom reeled in a double header, of a 19cm Flounder, and a 17cm slug. 

Dave was lured home, by beer, and Elliot and Terry both missed good bites, then Elliot was unlucky to lose a Flounder at the waters edge. 

The end of match couldn't come too soon, and at 8pm, the scores were 60cm to Tom, earning him the £10 first prize. Elliot got the remaining prize of £5, with his 19cms.

Match 2 - Conwy Morfa - 15th March 2008

Match 2 of the Junior Winter league, went ahead as planned despite the forecast, with only Tom and Elliot braving the heavy rain, to fish.

We fished at Conwy again, and with fresh crab, hopes of a Flounder or 2 were high.

However, after 3 hours of getting rained on, it was time to pack up, with none of the four rods even registering a bite.

The final league placings are;

1. Thomas Jones           20 points          60cms

2. Elliot Roberts            19 points          19 cms.

Roll on the Summer league!
 
I have picked 5 dates for the Junior Summer league, they are;

Rhyl Foryd

Sunday 27/04/08 - fishing from 13.00 until 16.00
Booking in at the carpark between the Blue bridge and the Marine lake, before 12.30

Deganwy

Sunday 18/05/08 - fishing from 12.00 until 15.00
Booking in at the footbridge carpark before 11.30

Flint Cob

Sunday 22/06/08  - fishing from 11.00 until 14.00
Booking in at HSS before 10.30

Benarth, Conwy

Sunday 20/07/08 - fishing from16.00 until 19.00
Booking in near the beach before 15-30.

Rhyl Foryd

Sunday 07/09/08 - fishing from 14-00 until 17-00
Booking in at the carpark before 1

For directions or more information contact me.

Junior League Results 2007

Match 1, Deganwy

Only 3 juniors braved the bank holiday traffic, and blustery conditions to fish the first league match of the year, at Deganwy on 6/5/07.
We decided to fish near the signal box, as the deeper water here means fish can be caught close in, and to shelter from the cold north westerly blowing up the estuary.
Elliot was the first junior to catch, after a good rattle on his rod tip, he reeled in a Flounder.
It was promptly unhooked, measured at 35cms, photographed and released, with the other 2 kids looking on enviously.

Tom was next to catch, we failed to see a bite, and when reeling in he said he thought he had another lump of weed, which had been a pain since the off, but this weed started darting about near the waters edge.
Once again, the fish was unhooked and measured. It took the lead at 37cms and this looked to be a new pb so we weighed it as well. It tipped the scales to 01-06-00 Lbs, a new personal best!! Big smiles all round.

Sara was the only junior left to catch now, but her efforts were in vain.
The match came to an end at 4pm, and it was time to return to the cars for the prize giving.

Tom took the honours with 37 cms, just pipping Elliot with 35 cms.

Match 2, Deganwy

Three juniors fished the second match of the CBVSAC junior league, at Deganwy on 17/6/07.
A slight breeze, blowing up river, meant we opted to fish near the signal box again, and with the rain we had during last week, I was hopeful it may have pushed some Flounders down river into this area. There were six rods fishing throughout the day, we tried casting long and short, and the bait used was lots of prime peeler crab. All to no avail. The kids soon found ways of amusing themselves, and it was left to the adults to sit and watch the rods doing nothing. There was a moment of excitement near the end when Sara had what could have been a bite, but it didn’t amount to anything. We ended up doing a draw, for the prizes, as everyone blanked.

Match 3, Llandudno Pier

Four juniors fished the third leg of the Junior Summer league at Llandudno Pier on 5/8/07.

The landing stage was heaving on arrival, but the 3 juniors and their accompanying adults, took up most of the cordoned off area.

The adults did not fish, but were there to assist the juniors in any way possible.

The match started at 12-00 and the kids were into the fish straight away.

We fish measure and release in these matches, I made the decision at the start of the league, that all fish count, apart from Mackeral. This meant the adults were in for a busy day, unhooking, measuring and returning fish, as well as baiting up for those who didnt want to, and sorting out tangles and snags.

Finally, three o clock arrived, with Elliot and Sara, having caught steadily throughout. Tom had started well, but had to move as he was losing rigs in the last hour, and Evan had missed most of the first hour but caught up well with the help of a couple of Pollack.

The match winner was Elliot Roberts with 10 Pouting, 5 Poor Cod, 4 Corkwings and a Tompot for a total length of 268cms.

Second was Sara Ellis, with 10 Pouting, 3 Pollack, 2 Corkwings and a Poor Cod for 234cms. Tom Jones was third with 6 Pouting, 5 Corkwings and 3 Poor Cod, for 182cms, and Evan Adams was fourth with 4 Pouting, 2 Pollack, 2 Poor Cod and a Corkwing for 143cms.

Match 4, Llandudno Pier

Five juniors fished the fourth leg of the Junior Summer League, held on Llandudno Pier on 16/9/07.

It was between Tom and Elliot for the league title today. Elliot was one point ahead going into the match, so it was all to play for.

The match winner, and new league champion was Elliot Roberts, with a bag of  37 Corkwing Wrasse, 8 Pouting and 3 Poor Cod, for a total length of 684 Cms. 48 fish! Well done Elliot.

Second was Evan Adams, with 22 Pouting, 16 Corkwings and 5 Poor Cod, for a length of 601 Cms.

Tom Jones was third with 11 Corkwings, 6 Pouting and 2 Poor Cod for 273 Cms, with Sara fourth and Harrison fifth.

In total, the five juniors caught, measured and returned, 133 fish, in 3 hours!!!
The final league placings are,

Position	Name	Total length cms	Total Points
1	ELLIOT ROBERTS	987	49
2	THOMAS JONES	492	46
3	SARA ELLIS	499	36
4	EVAN ADAMS	745	26
5	HARRISON DAVIES	69	11

Well done to Elliot Roberts who wins the Millson Cup.