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2006 World Championships - PORTUGAL
Welcome to Montemor o Velho
by Mark Turner
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The majestic castle dominates the area at Montemor and is well worth a visit... if you can tear yourselves away from the fishing!
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Location
Montemor o Velho is situated 20 minutes inland from the huge seaside resort of FIGUIRA DA FOZ where you will find a fantastic beach, all of the entertainment you need and superb food at very reasonable prices.
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Venue
A 2km long, perfectly rectangular shaped rowing course made on the old flood plain of the River Mondego… the perfect CIPS regulation venue.
Wide open and slightly wind affected, this venue is around a top four deep at 13 metres, with not much more depth on either the slider or waggler lines. The water is also quite clear.
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It’s very easy to find when you enter Montemor, as it is marked as CLUB NAUTICO, rowing course on bright orange and white signs around the town.
There’s easy access for vehicles along the whole length with quite a dusty dirt and gravel track, however it’s relatively easy fishing on the stoney banks so long as you have adjustable leg systems. Access is good and offers excellent viewing for spectators.
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Warning: The recent fires that where raging in Spain and Portugal show just how hot and dry the conditions are at the moment, so pay special attention with things like cigerette ends, matches etc. One unfortunate spectator last week parked his car on the very dry grass, which then caught fire, it then promptly set fire to his car! I spotted the car ablaze from where we were watching the practice session and having arrived at the scene we tried to put the fire out, but concentrated on the dry grass near the venue that had caught alight, so the whole venue didn’t go up in flames. In the end it was too dangerous to reach the car, especially after a couple of small explosions from tyres and fuel. When the fire brigade arrived the car was already a total loss.
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Main species:
Mullet, borga, carp, barbel, black Bass, sun perch.
Having watched the Belgians, Portugese and French fish recently, it looks like being mostly mullet from 6oz – 1lb, small borga and small black bass, with small barbel and carp and not showing, except for Portugal’s Jose Calado who took managed this one, along with a mullet!
Main methods:
Whip, pole, slider or waggler.
The fishing was difficult with average weights around one kilo, end pegs faired much better, especially down wind, but results were generally poor. The Portugese have promised to stock more fish, a reported 13 tons more!!! IF this can be achieved then the fishing could improve, however, nobody is quite sure.
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Above: Robert Smithers, son of Bobby, a previous World Champion and now Irish manager, show's that he can catch on a difficult venue (with a little help from England’s Stu Conroy).
Below: Young Robert again, telling Portugese star Mario Baptista how it should be done.
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Top & above: A couple of Belgian anglers have obviously got the bit between their teeth and want to follow up their stunning Euro win with a WC success so they are getting to grips with the venue early.
Top: Laurent Voose shows a typical venue mullet to camera.
Above: Hans Slegars nets a good mullet.
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Hope you enjoyed the brief description and hope to see you there this September... Mark Turner.
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