The first RNLI fundraiser was held on Salthill Strand this weekend and I would like to thank everyone who took part either by attending, donating raffle prizes or donating to the bucket shakers along the prom.
The event was more about fundraising than fishing and I am sure that none of the lads who attended had expected much in the way of fish. We havent had any reports back yet of how much money was raised but there is already talk of next years event which will be aimed more at anglers in the form of a pegged competition, fishing into darkness. Because the sponsors are mainly from Galway and the RNLI station is the Galway one we are restricted to fishing locations and would like to use Salthill again.
Special thanks to all who contributed to the raffle table with special thanks to the following for their contributions
Daire Lynch Art
Tuam Shopping Centre
Galway Bay Fishing
Corrib Tackle
Townhouse bar and restaurant
Duncan Browne
Conor Mountaine
It was a good turn out from the club members with an opportunity to meet up, some for the first time with others in the club. The banter was mighty and many tales were told with fish increasing in size with each re-telling. As for fishing itself there was very little happening. I do not want to claim it but I landed the first ‘fish’ with this magnificent sand goby who surprisingly swam away strongly after this ordeal.
And everyone told me that 4/0s were too big for competitions. I wonder if it was the goby that had eaten the whole live razor that was on this bait??
Some of the lads stayed on later into the turn of the tide and were picking up flounder. Other lads who had traveled from the North and Mayo headed of to a Clare beach mark for the evening tide where their luck changed and they landed bass, coalies, whiting and flounder.
Conor trying to throw the most disgusting bait I have ever seen as far as possible. I think the bait must have still been in his bucket from the last outing.
Once again thank you to all who took part and I look forward to meeting up with you all again in the not too distant future.
Just as a little observation on human nature: What is it that forces walkers to kick the wall when they have walked along the sea-front? I have seen people almost climb over my rods in Lehinch to reach the brickwork at the end of their goal and now I have witnessed women with babies in buggies careering around children on bicycles just to tap on the masonry. What great sense of achievement drives the need to bounce toe off brick? It’s not like the walk is over or the marathon finished, I presume for most it is just the mid-way point and can only conclude that a rebound effect bouys them backwards on their return leg like the tumble-turn of an Olympic swimmer
