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Organiser’s report on the week, presentation night speech & results
2009 winners Eamonn Fogarty & Paul Whelan from Dublin who collected £2000 + tackle and other prizes (left) 2009 runners up Colin Carey & Darren Bond from Worthing who collected £1200 + tackle prizes (right) Please install the latest version of Adobe Flash®. Click here to download Flash now.
Whilst there are many of the ‘old regulars’, it is always good to see some new faces and to those of you at The Pairs for the first time – a very special welcome.
It never ceases to amaze just how fast the days pass during Pairs week; bait collecting, looking at the venues, trying new spots, notching up a new species or two, trying some new tactics or just chilling in the bar; the week just roars by!
It is noticeable many of you are now taking a few extra days to compensate, but there is simply never enough time and with The Pairs again at a close, more’s a pity, it is another 50 weeks or so before we do the whole thing again!
Looking back through the 2008 Report, it seems we are only a few Pairs down on last year. Against a backcloth of a weak Sterling against the Euro, and a pretty severe recession, The Pairs has faired much better than I had feared back in the Spring, when entries were only a trickle. Whilst I always try and make room for late entries, I do have to close the books and sort the draw, in reasonable time to close affairs and prepare to leave for Ireland. This year it was clear from entry levels the draw would be best set at 60 – ie: 6 even zones of 20. With the draw completed, Mick Dixon, rang in at the end of August to see if there was room for another Pair. No problem: that made Pair 58 of 60. A few days later, a letter addressed to the Pairs Organiser drops through the letterbox: two late entries: Dave Hutchinson, Steve Nicholson, Ian Joyce, Graham Stones. The draw had been closed: What if Mick had rang and booked 2 or 3 pairs? I day say our regulars would not have been best pleased if I had no room!!!!
A Narrow Escape I fancy! Next year please, don’t leave it too late. Whilst, I would never wish to disappoint, please understand I do not have limitless time on my hands to do unnecessary tasks concerning Pairs administration and event preparation; I certainly would not be very happy to have to re-do the Draw at such a late stage! Grumble over!
You may recall last that in my report last year I reported that having kicked some ideas around with Jim, Ian, Darren and Alan, we were strongly of the view the Pairs needs it’s own web-site. This would have a number of significant gains for the competition, by way of providing information, promotion and advertising. It would also give something back to our sponsors, by way of our promotion of their involvement [with, of course, links to there own sites]. It would also give us the ability to post pictures and material relating to specimen catch and match reports.
I am pleased to report Darren got the web-site up and running by Xmas 2008, and to date it has had some 5000 hits. I am sure most of you have visited the site and I hope you share my view that Darren has done a first class job! We would like you observations and thoughts and we would like some new pictures of your specimen catches. So if you have any ideas or suggestions please get in touch or grab any of the Committee at the bar! As a footnote, I would add, the creation of the web-site has made the circulation of competition Info, much easier at my end. Thanks Darren.
Before I move on to my annual story and round up of the week, I would like to take a few moments out and invite you all to raise your glasses and remember a few past entrants of The Pairs no longer with us: I’ll mention a few, but by no means is this an exhaustive list:
Alistair Craig, Nigel Robinson, John Browning, Mick Tierney, Terry Rothery, Alan Gilbert……… .…Toast: ‘To Passed Pairs’:
Now a story
Tales of foolishness and tomfoolery have, again, been in short supply [or more likely kept under wraps and well away from my ears], but as usual there is always some-one prepared to drop themselves into the mire for the sake of a yarn.
For the purposes of my story I have tried to keep only loosely to the facts and any similarities to persons or facts known or unknown are merely co-incidental.
Lurking about in a supermarket car-park without intent to shop is indeed questionable activity. Two men behaving suspiciously in a supermarket car-park around waste bins would seem an even more questionable activity.
It is worrying that suspicious and odd behaviour may only be a stones throw away and is potentially lurking just around the next corner and with Terrorism and the threat of terror splashed all over the media, no wonder we all have become vigilant.
In this tale, local mother of 4, Martha Righteousness, spotted some very suspicious activity and extremely odd behaviour, in her local supermarket car park!
What started out as the usual exiting start of another great holiday week soon spiralled into a bleak and worrying start for Burgess ‘the Hunter’, Peter ‘Crackshot’ and their comrades the ‘NotsoWellfares’.
We all know about not carrying penknives or sharp instruments or indeed flammable material on planes, so why should Irish bound ferries be any different?
Burgess ‘the Hunter’ never gave it a thought: What harm is a fistful of used shotgun casings going to be in a cargo hold full of fuel laden vehicles!
Unlike ‘the Hunter’, Comrade ‘Crackshot’ and the ‘NotsoWellfares’ were somewhat uncomfortable with the prospect of booking in to the ferry terminal with used gun cartridges and its residue of gunpowder on-board!
A solution needed to be found and fast! A quick left turn before the terminal and a dash into the supermarket car park to off-load the explosive cargo into the nearest bin, was considered as their only alternative!
Now, Martha Righteousness had just finished her weekly shop at Tesco’s for her 4 lovely children, Matt, Mark, Luke and Cornelius and as she was loading her car, she saw a Land Rover draw into the car park and pull up to a waste bin, engine left running. Out stepped a couple of unsavoury and somewhat rough-looking characters who seemed to be gathering up what looked to be shotgun cartridges.
What were they doing, she thought? Careful not to be spotted she watched as the men put the cartridges into a bag, then look around to see that nobody was looking; the bag was placed carefully and discreetly into the waste bin. Odd, Martha Righteousness thought, and the men climbed back into the Land Rover and sped away…but not before Martha had made note of the number plate.
Consciences cleared and their journey back on track and Ireland bound, the Hunter, Crackshot and the NotsoWellfares felt much better and headed enthusiastically to the Ferry Terminal.
There seemed to be a lot of security activity at the Ferry Port…’strange’? The Hunter said to Crackshot, ‘must be a terrorist alert’…
’Crackshot’, why is that security guard pointing his gun at us’.
………..…the Pairs week had started!
Day 1 saw more dogfish over the match length than we have had for a number of years at Ventry, even though the conditions seemed almost too fair and the Harbour seemed to drain very quickly on the extremely large tide. As expected, the flood did not produce as well as the ebb and gars were very much in short supply. Cappaclogh was dropped due to weed issues and Brandon Strands Gowlane and Stradbally were used as the replacement venues. Brandon fished well with a mixture of fish including a fair smattering of Painted Rays from the lower numbers.
Day 2: The stiff SW winds which moved in overnight Sunday and Monday caused the Match Committee to rethink Tuesday. After much consideration of potential venues and various weather forecasts, RossBeigh and Cappaclogh were selected. Disappointingly, neither venue held much of a head of fish and it proved a very tricky and frustrating day for many with the odd bonus fish influencing substantially the overall outcome and Day 2 result.
Day 3: Finally this year, we got on Inch and conditions were near perfect for the day 3 Match, which included the John Browning Memorial Trophy and Teams of 4 event. 120 anglers in one long match stretch covering the best part of 2 miles – it is always a great sight. We left plenty of room for the other beach users and Peg 1 just made it round the corner to the first lagoon. There was a reasonable head of flatfish right through the beach and there were only a handful of blanks amongst some fairly respectable bags of fish.
Whilst the majority of you do make every effort to hand in your match cards at the end of the match there are still a small minority of you who simply forget. Please remember if we have no card we can do little other to assume a blank. Pegs are a problem and around 10% are lost or left in tackle boxes at the end of every match.
For 2010 we will be accepting match cards only with accompanying peg returns.
On the subject of match cards, whilst in the minority it never ceases to amaze me just how far some anglers go to keep the cards clean and blemish free. Two of our Irish friends and regular attendees at the Pairs even went as far as not writing any fish on the cards; probably because they didn’t catch any!
In response I have a little limerick for our Match Card Comedians:
Two keen fisherman from Dublin, Caught now’t, so were never to win, Tony’s pair: Michael Dixon,
This has caused The Committee increasing problems over the last few years caused primarily by questionable fish identification. Subsequently, we will be dropping this prize from next year’s event. We will replace the prize with: Organisers selected Specimen Fish caught in the 3 Pegged Matches. This may or may not be a species nominated in the existing Specimen Competition.
A few important thanks
As usual before I get to the actual presentation of prizes there are a few thanks to individuals, organisations and businesses who assist in making the Pairs a great week.
Firstly, our main sponsors Daiwa, who supply a considerable amount of tackle for the Prize Table – this year, we have from Daiwa Sports over £8,000 retail value of quality tackle and prizes.
Dingle Harbour Lodge and the Courtyard, through Trident Homes provide us quality accommodation at very favourable rates - again we pass on much of this discount to the anglers and the rest is donated to the prize fund. Whilst on the subject of accommodation: it is important for me to fill the block bookings, so if you can please book Harbour Lodge and the Courtyard through me – you will get it cheaper and it does enable additional funds to be channelled into the prize fund.
SAMF again have sponsored £300 worth of prizes and provide the Insurance for the event.
This year, as the average entry age becomes ever higher, we see the introduction of a veteran’s prize or better [and now commonly known] as ‘The Old Git’s Comp.’ This has been sponsored, not surprisingly by an Old Git [presumably in the hope of increasing his chances of winning a prize]. Seriously, thanks to Dave Himsworth for putting up two rods for the best performance for the Best Veteran Pair with an aggregate age of 115 or greater.
Many of you I know have been enjoying the hospitality at our Headquarters, Paudies Bar, and Kathleen and crew have done a fabulous job in keeping anglers fed and watered or allowing them to drown their sorrows as the case maybe – thanks Kathleen and everyone at Paudies.
A special thanks for duties above and beyond to SAMF’s own ‘Knight in shining white armour and Vehicle Recovery Unit’ Mr. Paul Molyneux, for his stirling efforts pulling cars out of the beach and running those less able to theirs pegs and back!
Thanks also to John and Jean Amery for their general help during the week and to John who helped with the draw preparation over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Moving on to your all important Match Committee: Jim, Ian, Alan and Darren; they do give up a lot of their week to vet the week’s venues and to ensure the beaches are pegged. The results are sorted and posted. Make no mistake: they are indeed a first class team.
Thanks lads – without your help the week would simply not happen.
Lastly, on a personal note I would like to thank my wife Susan for her support throughout the year and the competition week for simply keeping my back free and putting up with my often frazzled temperament!
SAMF Masters Qualifiers:
Dave Hutchinson [2009/2010?], Graham Stones [2009/2010?], Steve Nicholson [2009/2010?], Richard Burrows [2010], Andy Young [2009/2010?], Alan Smith [2010].
Pairs Day Winners:
Winning a trophy plus £200 for winners, £150 for Runners-up & £100 for 3rd placing
Pts Ozs Fish 3rd Nick Haward/Dave Wright 8 274 17 2nd Alan & Darren Smith 6 363 12 1st Darren Bond/Colin Carey 6 424 18
Pts Ozs Fish 3rd Baz Barrett/Ray Foster 4 187.5 19 2nd Darren Bond/Colin Carey 3 243.5 19 1st Eamonn Fogarty/Paul Whelan 2 277.5 16 Pts Ozs Fish 3rd Paul Stevens/Chris Snow 6 160 24 2nd John Dixon/Mark Armstrong 6 165 23 1st D Hutchinson/Steve Nicholson 5 215.5 21
Steve Nicholson 133.5 points – 10 fish wins Memorial Shield
Most Species in Pegged Matches (collects £100 donated by SAMF).
10 species – Jason Wellfare
Longest Fish Caught in Pegged Matches (collects £100 cheque donated by SAMF).
Noel Fogarty – Conger – 95cm at Ventry
Best Individual Performance (sponsored by Trident Homes and Daiwa Sports).
Pts Ozs Fish Daiwa Prizes 5th Colin Carey 10 453.5 30 Surf Carrying System Bag 4th Darren Smith 9 343.5 21 Grandwave Surf 1403M 3rd Steve McAdam 8 358 27 TDXS129PM 2nd Nev Charlesworth 6 371.5 24 TDXS133PM 1st Jason Wellfare 5 240 25 Free cottage for 2010 event
Old Gits Competition (or the ‘115+ Club’ for the best veteran performance)
Each wins Isla Cougar Grange 3 piece 13’ spinning rod.
Ray Hornby & Barry Critchley 36 points and 634 ozs, narrowly beating Billy Lindfield and Gordon Thornes on countback of fish points.
Teams of 4 – Inch
4th. John Williams, Richard Burrows, Bill Lindfield & Gordon Thornes 24 points, 238.5 ozs – wins 160 euros
3rd. Jim Gross, Ian Hewitt, Darren Smith & Alan Smith 24 points, 283.5 ozs – wins 320 euros
2nd. Darren Bond, Colin Carey, Paul Stevens & Chris Snow 22 points – wins 480 euros
1st. Nick Haward, Dave Wright, Dave Himsworth & John Amery (below) 13 points – wins 660 euros
Most Species – Tony Royall – 4 species on countback on average of 94.7% - collects £100 donated by SAMF
Individual Specimen Fish - each wins either 7HT or SL20SH
Dab 30cm Tony Royall & Gary Falk Pollack 77cm Andy Young Flounder 45cm Eugene Farrelly, Tony Royall & Gerald Jackson Mullet 63cm Darren Bond Wrasse 50cm Gary Calderwood Bass 63cm Keven Barber Bullhuss 106cm Colin Carey Thornback Ray 59cm Scott McNicol Painted Ray 62cm Ken Williamson Conger 157cm Pete Cracknell
Best Flatfish of Week – wins STS 115 bass rod
Best Roundfish of Week - wins STS 115 bass rod
Organisers Fish of the Week - wins a STS 115 bass rod and Caldia Plus 3000X FS reel
Main Event – SAMF Daiwa Irish Pairs – Top 20 placings
Pts Ozs Fish Daiwa Prizes 20th Bill Newham/John Grey 51 314.5 33 Jackets/Caps 19th John Williams/Richard Burrows 51 355.5 43 Smocks/Caps 18th Peter McGrory/Kevin Barber 51 509.5 30 Smocks/Caps 17th Nev Charlesworth/Simon Drayton 50 450 30 Brollies/Caps 16th Tom Whitehead/Steve Smith 50 517 40 R’sacks/Rig W 15th Paul Tuck/Tony Lewthwaite 46 393.5 27 7HT/Rig W. 14th Steve MaAdam/Gary Lawson 45 486.5 39 SL20SH/Rig W 13th Paul Molyneaux/Dave Roe 44 446 45 7HT/Rig W 12th Nick Haward/Dave Wright 44 479.5 46 SL20SH/Rig W 11th Peter Cracknell/Jason Wellfare 40 362.5 41 WS Jackets/Rig W 10th Dave Hutchinson/Steve Nicholson 39 471.5 41 GW Surf Rods 9th Paul Stevens/Chris Snow 38 494.5 52 7HT Mags/Line 8th John Dixon/Mark Armstrong 36 401.5 45 STS13M/Quiv 7th Ian Hewitt/Jim Gross 36 515 52 STS13PM/Quiv 6th Bill Lindfield/Gordon Thornes 36 570.5 49 TDXS133PM/Quiv 5th Ray Hornby/Barry Critchley 36 634 50 £700 + Sw.Shirts 4th Baz Barrett/Ray Foster 33 490.5 47 £800 + polos 3rd Alan Smith & Darren Smith 29 559 37 £900 + Cool Bags 2nd Darren Bond/Colin Carey 25 777.5 53 £1200 + Cool Bags
This years winners: winning £2000 plus TDXS133PM rods, Daiwa caps plus, as a special prize for this years winners, The Dingle Bay Hotel has also donated 2 nights B&B and a complimentary meal.
1st Eamonn Fogarty/Paul Whelan 23 647.5 41
Next years dates
Dates are provisionally Sunday 26th. September to Friday 1st. October 2010 (please note dates are still subject to change and will be confirmed on the website in due course), limited to 72 pairs and as usual I will be taking entries and requirements on a first come-first served basis.
Safe Journey Home.
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