Fishing on Coll

"Sure we're up for it" - The East End Fishing Competition

The winner of the Annual East End Fishing Competition was - the weather!!!!!

With over a dozen boats assembled in Cornaig Harbour, Bousd and the usual large crowd of onlookers on the shore, there was just one question, - was the sea too rough? In the event, after a few drams and encouragement from the shore, the fleet set off. There is only one competition rule; fishing is restricted to two hours. This year new records were set as some boats didn't get out of the bay, far less fishing. Skippers found crews 'feeding the fish" rather than catching them and in the end only three boats managed to stay the course for the full two hours. Not surprisingly these three took the honours of the eventual weigh-in of the catch. Voted Best Newcomer was "Skive 2" - sponsored by many drinks inc. and crewed by Heather Maclntyre with Ronky and Cathy. If ever this fun loving crew actually get out to sea - watch out!

They were stars on the day.

Winner of the Johnnie "Cliac" Maclnnes Tankard was the aptly named "Stormbringer" crewed by John Fraser and his merry men. Second was "Muc Gorm" crewed by rising stars Jonathan and Will Tunnell with their secret weapon Emese, and in third place "Storm Petrel" crewed by Angus Kennedy, lain MacQuarrie (sponsored by Orange) and Fiona Kennedy.

Although the results this time round were a trifle academic due to the conditions, the apres scene was the opposite. The now traditional shore party was judged to have been the best ever. The barbecue, bonfire, singing, dancing and happy highjinks went on into the wee small hours.

As one departing participant said "I'll need a year to recover". That's why we intend to be on again this July - and you are all welcome!

That's if we get the tides right!!!

AK