EFSA Iceland Open 2017- Olafsvik
Twenty members travelled to Iceland to fish what was a trial event for next year’s European Boat Championships. In addition to the Icelandic anglers there were anglers from Belgium, Ireland and Scotland.
The practice day was fished in good weather with most of the target species being caught. Colin Searles, following on from his success with halibut in Norway, started with a small one as his first fish on the drift for dabs and plaice. Most of the target fish were caught although there were very few haddock and by the end of the day most anglers thought they knew what rigs they wanted for the competition.
Day One
This should have been the first of the species days but the weather had other ideas and it was cancelled. Some of us decided a few hours fishing from the harbour wall for dabs would be fun and so it proved to be. Over two or three hours at least 80 dabs were caught. Most were a pound or more with the largest a fish of 2lb 2oz caught by Colin.
Day Two
At 6:30 we assembled at the harbour and found our boats. Catches were variable with some boats managing a good no of species with others not finding sizeable fish in certain categories. England had had a dozen boat wins with Colin Searles being top man on the day with 134 points.
Day Three
This was big fish day with only cod and coalfish counting. With 45 cm to 60 cm fish scoring 1 point, 60cm to 75cm fish 3 points, 75cm to 90 cm 8 points and all fish over 90cm 20 points pirks and flyers and large shads were the order of the day. Top angler was Ken Smith with 58 fish of which 27 were 20 point fish for an impressive 733 points total.
Overall winner for the two days was Kim Bowden with two boat wins and 692 points. Secon place went to Roy Shipway again with two boat wins and 422 points. Robbie Robertson was third with two boat wins and 323 points.
Results
1 Kim Bowden
4 Pete Bailey
5 Rod Adamson
6 Steve Bachelor
7 Ken Smith
8 Dick Prosser
10 Colin Searles
12 Paul Hart
15 Barrie Senior
17 Alan Bird
18 Billy Cann
20 Andy Smith
23 Neil Cottington
26 Richard Russell
28 Vernon Allen
29 Duncan Beck
30 Chris Bull
43 Jon Law
44 Kev Preston
Chris Bull had the longest coalfish 120cm
For further information see http://www.efsa.is/
