The club has continued to be very active over the summer months, but the fishing has been very inconsistent. Two recent matches drew particularly pleasing turnouts, with friends from Clevedon in Somerset recently welcomed to Amroth for our annual battle. We have also used catch and release for some matches with a view to improving our results and improving fish survival rates.

October 30, Inter club .v. Clevedon Pier SAC: On October 30, we held our inter club match with the English hordes from Clevedon. Twenty Tenbyites and 16 from Clevedon arrived at the booking-in on a mild morning and with a better small surf than most anticipated. No pegs or other messing about this time, but a ‘small’ change in the approach would see the match conducted on a catch and release basis, with all fish to count. The prizes were to be awarded on a heaviest fish basis (using a formula) and then longest bag etc. etc. in a departure from club standard practice. Given the propensity for Amroth to have a glut of small fish at this time of the year, the intention was to maintain interest, even if sizeable fish were at a premium. We believe it worked.

The expected catches were flounders, LSD, golden grey mullet and bass. Recent reports from the beach also suggested that a codling might be an outside bet. Almost from the off, the small stuff was hitting the beaches and cards were saved from being redundant. The rain stayed away and the conditions remained comfortable. The match was so exciting that young Paul ‘Kettle’ Jenks was seen running up and down the beach, and it wasn’t because there was free beer at the New Inn!

Three o’clock came quite quickly and lines were retrieved. The gear was stowed away and the grand prix to roast dinner and a pint was started. Nev gulped when he saw the ‘fruits of his overactive imagination’ on the cards as he repaired to a darkened room and a Becks Blue beer was quickly sought at the pub.

New Inn did us proud once again. The buzz in the dining room was very pleasing as friends and colleagues discussed the day and planned revenge or otherwise for the return leg in the New Year. Dinner was served and quickly inhaled and then to the results.

The cards showed that bass, flounder, rockling, dab, plaice, dogfish, sole and whiting had appeared. There was a three-way tie for third place, a monstrous three metres of fish took second and a nice 37cm flat took the overall win.

1. Ben McD, Flounder 0.683kg; 2. Joe Pro, 334cm; equal 3. Rachel Danks, Adamski and Keef Williams with Flounders of 0.579kg.

In the inter club, Tenby amassed 2,664cm and Clevedon racked up 532cm.

A brilliant day. The New Inn meal was as tasty as usual and our Clevedon friends were great company. Thanks to all the club members who attended as well.

Battle will be joined yet again on January 22, 2017, this time on Clevedon Pier

November 13, Club ‘Beano’: Last Sunday’s money match or ‘Beano’ was a great success against a backdrop of pleasant but difficult fishing conditions. Eighteen competitors gathered in good spirits at the Kilgetty Information Centre and booked in for the chance to take a share of a juicy £450 prize table. Two juniors were looking for some pocket money in among the crew!

Almost no wind (and no significant forecast rain) was going to mean a hard slog for eight hours before we returned to the Old Chemist for the weigh-in.

A goodly number shot off to Freshwater East (no doubt targeting dogfish), some went to Coppet and Saundersfoot, Amroth was also on the menu, as was Swanlake, all to start with. Harbours and other hard standings and walkways were permitted in this match, to allow for high water.

All tactics, all baits, even some ‘voodoo’ was tried in the chase for glory and back at the Old Chemist, the weigh-in was an interesting affair, if rather quieter than I would have liked.

Grey Gurnard, Tub Gurnard, Pout, Dab, LSD, Flounder, 5 Bearded Rockling. All the prizes were awarded on the basis of the percentage of current club record for each category and only one prize per angler was permitted. Second prize was a ‘wildcard’ and was awarded to the random choice of the vice-chairman who drew the ‘Mini Species’ category, for which chairman Barry would be eternally grateful.

As the weigh-in progressed, the early conclusion was that a dogfish would take the first prize of £125, with only three flounder weighed-in and little in the way of other species appearing.

But no! A bright star appeared in the form of a local ‘Tompat’ who slammed, nay bounced an enormous Tub Gurnard on the scales which struggled to register a huge 328g, representing 83 per cent of the current club record. It was not a mini species and the next best specimen was Kendo’s very nice dogfish of 1.045kg or 78 per cent. A surprise result in some ways, but a welcome one and to some extent this was intention of the way the prizes were set up.

The full results were as follows: 1. Tompat O’Brien, Tub Gurnard, 83%, £125; 2. ‘Chairman’s Pick’ Barry T, 5 Bearded Rockling, 31%, £75; 3. Kendo, LSD, 78%, £50.

The following anglers and species all picked up £25 cash prizes: Best Dab - Ben McD; Best Flounder - Seth Rowlands (junior); Best ‘Other’(Grey Gurnard) - Paul Jenks; Best LSD - Mark B

Next four best specimens (all LSD) mopped up the final four £25 prizes: Haydn, LSD; Adamski, LSD; Keef, LSD; Stu A, LSD.

A good entry, plenty of cash paid out, a happy bunch of campers and that’s what it’s all about!

The club thanks the anglers for attending and hope you enjoyed.

Our sincere thanks also go to our generous sponsors, Jabberwocky Creative Designs Pembroke (and Chris C), Mr. and Mrs. J Nicholas, Nev and Mand and the club who provided the cracking cash prize table.

Further information on club matters available from Nev at any time on 07500 417737 or alternatively use the usual social media for contact.