THE weekend saw anglers from Holland and Belgium arrive for the Shore Fishing UK two-day match, fished along the beaches from Clacton Pier to Walton Pier.

Combined with our own anglers, who travelled from the length and breadth of Britain, it was always going to be a great event and so it proved.

Day one saw bad weather, with driving rain and high winds, and some competitors struggled to find sizeable fish.

The top angler on Saturday was Martin Grossman, from Southend, with 0.980kg bass.

Day two was totally different, with light winds and sunshine, and all competitors caught a steady stream of whiting and some flounders.

The final weigh-in and evening presentation was held at Valley Farm Holiday Park, in Clacton.

The overall weekend winner was Grossman, with a 0.980kg bass.

Second place went to Arjan Geelhoed (Holland), with 0.540kg, and third to James Everett (Walton), with 0.475kg.

There were many prize winners and the two juniors that fished both received a rod and reel combo.

Colchester Sea Angling Club held round five of six of their Colchester Bait and Tackle-sponsored league on the Frinton beaches.

They fished an evening flood tide in very wet and windy conditions.

Seven hardy anglers fished and everyone caught fish.

First place went to Vic Pearce, with 8lb 4oz, second to Steve Yallop, with 8lb 4oz, and third to Phil Buy, with 6lb 13oz.

The heaviest fish prize went to Malcolm Wright, with a 14oz whiting.

Their next match is their Pier Championships to be held on Walton Pier on Sunday, with fishing from 11am until 5pm.

The boats this week have been fairly quiet, but, once again, there are thornback rays to be caught.

However, there are very few cod showing.

The herring shoals have now entered the river estuaries and will now be with us till well into the New Year.

Walton Pier has seen plenty of whiting being caught and dabs from the top of the pier on calmer days.

Garry Graham reported whiting, pouting and dabs but all fish were under size and returned.

Clacton Pier is fishing much the same, with whiting and dabs, although there has been the odd dogfish caught.

The high tides for the weekend are 2.56pm on Saturday and 3.49pm on Sunday.