England International George Smith beat off some stiff competition to win the prestigious 2002 NFSA Guernsey National Shore Championship, which were held on the picturesque island of Herm in the Channel Islands.
The Championship final saw the heat winners from all over England competing for the coveted Guernsey Sweater and the title of NFSA Guernsey National Shore Champion 2002. They travelled as guests of the Sates of Guernsey Tourist Board to stay in St Peter Port for four days.
The 2002 finalists were: Chris Mead Penzance, Cornwall; Kevin Knights Harleston, Norfolk; Dave Fuller, Westcliff On Sea, Essex; John Bradley, Hall Farm, Sunderland; Wayne Harriman, Peterlee, Co. Durham; Keith Warren, Clevedon, Somerset; Steve Allmark, Dover, Kent; Brian Fisk, Poole, Dorset; and George Smith, Grimsby, Lincs.
The first day of competition was fished in the pouring rain, which is very unusual in these Islands and saw some good catches from both sections of Garfish and Wrasse. At the end of day one both Steve Allmark and George Smith won their sections, but it was Steve who led the competition on fish points.
Day two saw the return of the brighter weather, but the fish were slow to respond. However, as the day developed so did the fishing and the last hour saw Dover‘s Steve Allmark pipped at the post by County Durham rod Wayne Harriman who took the section honours.
George Smith went on to win section two and because of Steve’s second placed result it meant that George had enough points to take the overall title.
Over the two days there were 218 fish recorded by the nine anglers, the most notable being a specimen black bream of 2lbs 8oz for George Smith, a specimen wrasse of 5lbs 15oz and a conger for Chris Mead.
Keith Warren hooked a good conger, which was estimated at over 20lbs. Unfortunately luck wasn¹t on his side and the eel spat the hook before it could be lifted to safety.
The championships was run on a conservation basis with all the fish caught being awarded points and returned to the sea alive. In addition bonus points were awarded for fish equal to, or above, the NFSA specimen weight for the Channel Islands.
Mr Brian Sheriff, who is the Vice President of the Guernsey Tourist Board, presented George with the coveted Guernsey Sweater. Also representing the Guernsey Tourist Board was Mr Peter Falla, Policy & Development Manager, who is responsible for the event.
The NFSA would like to thank the States of Guernsey Tourist Board for the kind hospitality and sponsorship for the Championship. They are also grateful for the assistance of Herm Estates and the sea angling experts Joe Gomez and Peter Frise of the Guernsey Sea Angling Club who ensure that the finalists experience the best angling available at the Championship Final.

Total Sea Fishing