The change in weather pattern from a cold northerly direction to a more wet and windy westerly direction has certainly helped the fishing for the last couple of weeks (writes N.A).
Both recent club matches have seen excellent catches, with most anglers weighing in fish and a very welcome upsurge in dabs being evident.
It's also good to see two graduates from the 'youth academy', Ben and Gareth, moving up to the senior competition and kicking some butt! Keep it up lads and we'll overlook you being Arsenal supporters!
Coppet Hall Roach Memorial Match, January 9: A dozen anglers pitched up to fish for the Roach Memorial Trophy at Coppet Hall in honour of our esteemed past chairman, Norman. The match had an interesting mix of daylight and dark conditions and, whilst the sea was a little calm, we were quietly confident that the fish would switch on at some stage during proceedings.
Everyone was very pleasantly surprised, as it turned out to be an excellent match, with all competitors capturing in-size fish and the scales were kept ticking at the finish.
Dabs and flounders were caught and John Nick continued his usual good run of early season form and took the Memorial Trophy.
Results: 1. John Nicholas, flounder 0.522kg; 2. Karl Boyle, bag 0.738kg; 3. Ben Cook, dab 0.406kg
Coppet Hall, January 16: This was highly amusing! At the time the draft fixture list was produced, this match was scheduled to be at Laugharne. Following committee discussions, the final list showed this as a Llanstephan match. A poor match at Llanstephan before the end of the year resulted in us then moving the venue to Ginst Point, whereupon the week before it blew the proverbial 'hooley' and bucketed with melted snow (rain chaps, keep up!)
A 'recce' by the match secretary on the day before confirmed that things might be a little difficult and that the contingency of moving to a fourth Carmarthenshire venue for the match (Pendine) might not be sensible. On the morning, a decision was taken that we would skip back to Coppet and fish in relative comfort.
An inspired decision as it turned out as the rain stopped, the sun came out (just) and the fish appeared too! Hurrah! All bar two of the anglers weighed in and it was nice to see the vice-chairman's daughter Megan having a go and casting further than the match secretary.
At the scales, dab, flounder rckling and whiting were recorded.
Results: 1. Gareth Boyle, flounder 0.474kg; 2. Steve Cook, bag 0.965kg; 3. John Nicholas, flounder 0.456kg
Next up is a beach rover (one rod) this coming weekend, followed by the start of the mid-week series on Wednesday, January 26. All meet at the multi-storey for departure at 7 pm.
The following Sunday (30th) sees the first of the full roving matches (two rods) and booking in is at Hobbs Point, with departure at 12 and return to Hobbs by 6 pm.
February will be a little quieter, with just the two beach matches and two mid-weeks to keep us out of mischief. And all for just £6.50 membership a year (free for juniors) - what value for money!
Finally, a further reminder that 2011 subs are of course now due and the 2011 match list is available at matches or off the club website. Just use the 'right click and save as' option. Further information at any time from Nev on 07500 417737 and keep an eye on the club's Facebook page for last minute updates where things might be out of sequence for the 'Observer'.