Portskerra parties at enjoyable fishing event

The Portskerra fishing competition and specimen hunt took place in good conditions yesterday with 12 boats, crewed by 33 fishers, taking part.

This was the second year of the competition organised by the Portskerra Harbour Association and, with the number of boats and competitors up on last year, the association is confident that it can be established as an annual event.

Concentration on the number of species rather than catch weight alone adds to the general interest of the day while minimising the number of fish caught and encourages anglers to be more inventive in their fishing techniques.

Fishing started at 10am and finished at 2pm by which time a good crowd had gathered at the car park above the newly reconstructed pier and slipway and, with a supply of burgers and other snacks on hand from The Store Cafe, Bettyhill’s catering trailer, quite a party atmosphere developed while waiting for the results.

First place went to the Guiding Star, skippered by David Hodge of Portskerra Charters with 11 species weighing in at 10.46 kilogrammes, closely followed by Boy Ethan of Thurso also with 11 species but weighing in at 8.76kg.

In third place was Puffin 2 skippered by Malcolm Richardson of Melvich Bighouse.

Individual prizes were: 1st lady – Suzanne Mackay, Portskerra with 4.96kg; 2nd lady - Verity Ross, Halkirk with 1.79kg. The heaviest specimen, a 3.6kg ling was caught by Chris Ross of Halkirk and junior prizes, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, went to Shaun Redman, Arran Wright and Isabella Mackenzie respectively.

All prizes and trophies were handed over by William Macdonald, a senior member of the Portskerra community.

Improvements to the slipway and pier which have made the event possible have been carried out in two stages largely financed by the Strathy North Joint Community Benefit Fund and organised by the Harbour Association.

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