BOAT ANGLER
Words and photography by MIKE MILLMAN
CONGER GALS 2000
The hold on male domination was broken in the 2000 title chase by Maureen Walsh of Telford with an eel of 55lb 4oz taken at a wreck off Plymouth from Dave Brett’s boat, Scorpion.
Between 2000 to 2004 the Conger Championships was won by women four times. Mike Millman recalls history being made in the heyday of UK conger fishing
2001
A year later, in the Championship draw for boat places with 120 competitors involved, Maureen again drew Dave Brett and Scorpion and on the second day of the event successfully defended her title with a fish of 52lb 10oz and had another of 51lb that would also have won the Championship. Bad weather ruled out the first of the two days and there was still a force five and a rough sea with heavy rise and fall
Maggie Jackson, the 2004 Champion, flanked by (left) Tony Allen, runner up, and George Weller who caught sixteen eels to win the Reg Quest Memorial Trophy 34
34-37 Conger 607.indd 34
SEA ANGLER ISSUE 607
18/02/2022 12:07
