Gill Coutts, a member of Scotland’s ladies shore angling team, was one of the zone winners after Day One of the two-day, Iain Reid Memorial, sea fishing match held at Kirkcaldy Beach.
The Largs-based angler (pictured preparing bait on the Kirkcaldy beach) landed six fish in Zone Two, the same as Arbroath angler, Stewart Falconer, but he won on measure, 172cm against 164cm. Third in the zone was Stevie Barrett (Edinburgh) with five fish for 134.
Brian Maxwell (Ayr) topped the catch returns with nine fish for 254cm in Zone One with James Duncan (Montrose) second a fish behind and with a measure of 236m. Third was Willie Kennedy (Perth) with six fish for 163.
Zone Three saw Scottish international, Barry McEwan (Port Seton) in pole position with five fish for 134cm. Second place went to Colin Bell (Tyneside) with four fish for 114cm and third Steve Potts (Tyneside) on three fish for 97cm.
Joanne Barlow, another member of the Scotland ladies sea fishing squad, and a former captain of Carp Team Scotland Ladies, who had driven 11-hours from her home in Brighton to compete, hooked into four fish in her zone for a total of 108cm.
Conditions were flat calm for with no wind and with a cloud cover for the morning and then the sun broke through around lunchtime.
Catches were patchy and the best section of the beach for the measure and return match with bait restricted to mackerel and lugworm was said to be near Kwik Fit.
Fishing for the 57 entrants was towards the East End Car Park on the extensive promenade at Kirkcaldy and locals were keen to know what was going on.
One said: “I’ve never seen so many fishing on this beach.”
They understood when they were informed that some of Scotland’s leading anglers were involved in a competition.
Day Two is at Leven Beach on Sunday with fishing from 10am to 2pm and the longest flat fish caught on the opening day was measured at 37cm.
The prize giving is at the East Dock Bar, Methil KY8 3EQ after the match and points are at stake for the national Penn Sea League.
MEASURE: Stewart Falconer (right) focused on his measurement en route to top spot in Zone 2. Picture Nigel Duncan
CATCH RETURN: Mike Horn (right), chairman of the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers, recording a return. Picture Nigel Duncan
BUSY ON THE BEACH: Nearly 60 anglers took part on Day One of the Iain Reid Memorial at Kirkcaldy. Picture Nigel Duncan
