BRIAN LEALE has won the 2006 Phoenix Fish Bass competition. His 18-1-4 specimen, caught at the Boue Blondel in January, beat the 21 other entrants in this popular event. Len Benoist, on behalf of the Guernsey Anglers Competition Committee, which runs both the Phoenix Fish and fish-of-the-month contests, welcomed all the winners and competitors to the presentation night held at the Half Moon Restaurant.

Thanks were expressed to the sponsors for their ongoing support for the competition and for the confirmation that it would continue in 2007.

The number of entries was slightly down on 2005 but the incredibly high standard of the catches was maintained.

No fewer than 17 of the 22 submitted fish were over 10-0-0, including one over 18-0-0, two over 17-0-0, one over 16-0-0, two over 14-0-0, three over 13-0-0, two over 12-0-0 and four over 11-0-0.

Unusually there was a tie for second place, Richard Seager and Andrew Loader each boating identical 17-3-2 specimens. Seager also filled fourth spot with a 16-8-8 fish.

The top four all won a suitably engraved tankard, with the top 10 receiving a case of beer. All the prizes were presented by Martin Vinning from Phoenix Fish.

A number of anglers won more than one prize. Colin Druce came fifth, sixth and eighth and consequently went home with three cases of ale.

For the third year in succession, the contest was heavily dominated by boat-caught fish, many from the Boue Blondel but also from other marks.

There were only two shore-caught entries. One must have some sympathy for David Vaudin, for he had the best shore specimen, a fish of 11-6-2, but managed to finish only thirteenth.

It has been suggested on a number of occasions over the last few years that there must be a case for GACC and their sponsors to consider a change of format for the competition.

The possibility of splitting the contest into boat and shore sections should be considered with some urgency.

Such a split would be fairer for the shore anglers and could well encourage more entries for shore-caught fish.

Phoenix Fish kindly agreed that the occasion could be used to present the fish-of-the-year awards, which are based on the top ones entered in the monthly competitions.

The Harold Bewey Memorial Trophy for the best fish of the year and the Player’s No. 6 Cup for the top fish of the summer went to Lynton Carre for his 2-15-1 shore-caught record Couch’s sea bream, which had scored 122.04%.

The Bert Pike Cup for the best fish of the winter 2005/6 went to Brian Leale for the 18-1-4 bass which was worth 104.7%.

The Tiny Rogers Memorial Trophy for the best fish by a junior was won by Joe Le Gallez for his 5-4-8 ballan wrasse which scored 65.50%.