GO Angling charters

Holyhead Maritime Festival – sea angling coaching day

As part of the festivities for this year’s Holyhead Maritime Festival, and in running with the start of National Fishing Week, Anglesey based ABC Sea Angling Club and myself with my Holyhead based charter boat My Way ran a free coaching day for 12 youngsters eager to learn more about sea fishing.

Split into 2 groups of 6, the young anglers ‘to be’ where treated to some angling coaching on both Holyhead Breakwater and also the charter boat My Way, the groups swapping over after lunch to experience the other side of sea angling. The caliber of coaches assisting in during the day from ABC, was not to be rivaled. These included the Fast & Furious angling video presenter and World Shore angling gold medal winner Mike Flynn, Welsh National boat team manager Rob Roberts, Welsh boat team member Arthur Beechy and me - Gethyn Owen, skipper of My Way, and a member of the Welsh boat team

Such was the attraction of a days coaching with acclaimed anglers the local youngsters taking part were joined by others from Liverpool , Powys and Shropshire . Despite the forecast blowing a good south westerly force 5, this did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm or determination of the youngsters to have a good day out.

First off aboard My Way we had James Greene, James Bohanna, Sean Rowlands, Scott Bromley, Jonathon Porter and Daniel Williams. To add a little more excitement to the day, during the journey to our fishing mark outside Holyhead breakwater each young angler took the helm of My Way for a short duration. Well now I know – it is possible to do a ‘360 donut’ in a charter boat!! On the outward journey Rob also gave a short discussion on boating safety, with the do’s and don’ts to ensure an enjoyable day afloat.

Conditions at anchor where not ideal; it was difficult to find an anchorage that gave enough shelter from the wind and tide. Having wind as strong as it was against a 33’ tide left us swinging on the anchor warp occasionally

Despite these blustery conditions and sun less start to the day, the lads were keen to get started. After an introduction to rods, reels, rigs and bait it was down to some fishing. Catches were not going to be prolific or big whilst under the safe shelter of the rocks, but it was simply our intention now to catch some fish on this introduction course. Fortunately the fish came steadily over board – dogfish, poor cod and pouting keeping the rod tips twitching and angler’s faces smiling. Scott Bromley showed his angling potential with a steady stream of dogfish from the port stern position

After a lunch break it was time to take My Way back out to sea with our second group of intrepid anglers. This group consisted of Erica Rowlands, Rhys Jones, Rebecca Jones, Kody Clarke, Shauna Clarke and little 7 year old Laura Titheridge.

After half a dozen circles and off course routes, we finally set My Ways anchor a few hundred yards off Holyhead Breakwater. Once again the routine talks were given before we got down to the fishing. Fishing was again consistent with the good old dogfish proving to be the main quarry for all the rods – with a few poor cod thrown in for good measure. Laura Titheridge, our youngest participant kept us all entertained with stories of stinky cheese and her dad Dave’s recently caught bull huss (that had somehow turned into a Hammerhead shark), she also managed to land a dogfish,

whilst munching away on a digestive; must be a Lady International in the making.

Further coaching sessions are being planned for later this year, and also a series of events for 2006. Anyone interested in taking part are urged to contact organisers Gethyn Owen on 01248 716315 or Rob Roberts on 01248 714139 for an information pack.

Special thanks go to all those that assisted Robbie and Myself with the day, especially coaches - Mike Flynn, Arthur Beechy and Nicholas Owen. Additionally rig tier Gareth Flynn and also our chief paperwork organiser Trish Owen.

Thanks also go to Malcolm Gilroy at Anglesey Bait Centre (01248 810009) for providing the bait of mackerel, sandeel, squid and ragworm

It is the intention of ABC sea angling club to keep these coaching days free to all youngsters wanting to take part, therefore the club is looking for financial sponsors to help pay for equipment and services required to make each day a success. If you are able to assist please contact the organisers

	GO Angling Charter Services My Way	Holyhead Marina Anglesey
	Tel: 01248 716315 \| Mobile: 07971 924046	gethyn@goangling.co.uk