Alderney Angling Festival

The Festival is staged at a time of year that represents Alderney’s premiere season for angling. Summer species are still lurking whilst winter visitors abound and competitors from far and wide descend upon the island’s shores to compete with one another and hopefully get their hands on a new British Record fish. And the prizes are another very good incentive to head for Alderney for this year’s event.

Species range from float-fished Mackerel, Garfish and Pollock, to thumping Wrasse, arm wrenching Mullet, doormat Plaice and Sole and spool-emptying Tope.

The specimen list is unrivalled and the quality unsurpassed. Highlight fish over the years include a near 14lb Bass, a 57lb Conger Eel, at 67lb Tope, (which was hooked just outside the mouth and didn’t count), a Sole of 5lb, a Blonde Ray of 17lb and a Black Bream of nearly 5lb. The list is endless and we could go on but the big question is, “has anyone ever broken the British Record during the Festival”? The answer is yes, Jonathon Reeves set a new target for Golden Grey Mullet with a fish of over 3lb and won a prize of £ 3,000.

Principal techniques on Alderney are float-fishing, spinning, plugging and bottom-fishing. The Island is rugged so tackle should suit.

Distance casting is not necessary as fish come close to the shore. The climate at this time of the year can be very changeable, so a thermal flotation suit is a must. Top baits are Sandeel, Squid, Mackerel and ragworm. These can all be purchased from the local tackle dealer. If ragworm is required then advance ordering is appreciated.

Best marks? Well, Alderney is one big fishing area. For newcomers, the Breakwater is a good bet, but extreme caution must be followed as it is liable to swamping at anytime during these months. Platte Saline beach is another favourite and produces winning fish every year. The Lighthouse and Raz Island are also worth investigating. There is some excellent fishing to be had on the cliff-lined South coast, but this area should never be attempted unless with a good knowledgeable party and in the daylight only.

In the last 20 years, over a dozen British records have come from Alderney, which makes it the number one angling hotspot in the UK.

The competition categories for the 17th annual Alderney Angling Festival are: Best Ballan Wrasse, Best Bass, Best Bream, Best Conger , Best Plaice or Sole, Best Thick Lipped Mullet, Best Other Specimen (under 5lb and over 5lb), Best Garfish or Mackerel, plus a Daily Prize.

Minimum prizes for winners in any of the above categories are: 1st Prize £ 200; 2nd prize £ 150; 3rd £ 100; 4th £ 75; 5th £ 50 . In addition, top prizes are awarded for a New British Record (£ 5,000), a New Channel Island Record (£ 2,000), a New Alderney Record ( £ 500,) Best Overall U.K. Angler (£ 150) and Best Overall C.I. Angler (£ 1500).

As always, hospitality is almost as important as the competitive element of this annual event which will start with a Pre-Festival Meeting on Friday evening 4th October at the Albert House with buffet and beer courtesy of Bavaria Beers. The last weigh-in is on Saturday 12th at midday, followed by the Informal Prize-Giving at 2pm and the festival concludes with a Disco Party at the Butes Centre that night, from 9pm until 1pm.

Getting to Alderney: several direct flights daily from Guernsey, Jersey, Southampton (Aurigny Air Services: Tel 01481 822886) and Bournemouth( LeCocqs. Airlink :Tel 01481 824567).

Where to Stay: Alderney offers a good selection of hotels, guest houses and self-catering establishments.

For more information about Alderney please contact States of Alderney TourismPO Box 1, Alderney GY9 3AA Tel 01481 822811 Email: tourism@alderney.net.or visit the website www.alderney.net which describes the event in detail ( see section What To Do – “Activity Holidays ” and “Events”)

For Competition entry forms and details, please contact: Kay Ceillam Tel 01481 823629 – 3, Whitegates Alderney GY9 3YH – e-mail: kceillam@hotmail.com.