The Beer and District Sea Angling Association’s fish-a-thon was a glorious success with a magnificent sum of money raised for the Royal Devon and Exeter Neonatal Unit.

The event was scheduled to run for 50-hours from last Friday to Sunday with the club looking to mark it’s fiftieth year rasing funds for a cause very close to the hearts of members.

As with all marine environment related activities the weather plays an important part of the life of a sea angler, this event was to be no exception!

The fish-a-thon was launched by the magnificent voice of the Seaton Town crier and Seaton Mayor, Councillor Gaynor Sedgwick cast the first line.

The Friday afternoon and evening session saw a large number of members fishing along the beach at Seaton in the area of Fishermans Gap.

Sadly, very few fish made their presence known, with just a few mackerel falling to the copious and varied amounts of bait being presented to them!

Perhaps the fish knew what we had been told and that was that the area of Lyme Bay along with the western channel was to be hit by gale force winds over the weekend. The met forecast showed repeated warnings of winds of six-to-seven with gale force eight expected all from the South West and Westerly direction, the winds coinciding with the largest tides of the year.

Safety is paramount and, as a responsible club the decision was taken to call off the event in order that anglers were not put in jeopardy, with that done anglers fished until midnight on the Friday and then retired from the beach.

BDSAA would like to thank all the members of the public who supported this effort and all those who made donations in support of individual anglers, the money raised was £1500, a superb effort.

The remaining balance of hours to be fished will be, over the next couple of planned club matches.

BDSAA would like to extend a vote of thanks to Seaton Town council, Karin Frewin the Town Development Manager, Seaton TIC and Seaton Tackle Shop for their valued support.