When local anglers entered an annual charity competition organised by Dr John O’Connor at Amroth all the funds raised went towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - and the £200 first prize went to Phil Evans, who lives in Johnston but is a very committed member of the Neyland Sea Angling Club and uses his love of fishing to help him overcome having Blau’s Syndrome, which causes bad arthritis, skin problems and even affects vision.
 
Phil would describe himself as something of a fishing fanatic but had us in fits during our interview when he readily admitted that he doesn’t take caught fish home because he doesn’t like the taste of any fish, from salmon, trout and cod through to pollock and conger eels!
 
The event focuses on catching flounder as its main target for the first prize, although other species are allowed for the lesser cash prizes, and a special expertise is needed in terms of bait, size of hook etc - and this is an area where Phil is experienced beyond his 26 years because in his time since he cast his line the first time ever he has caught almost 100 different species, but more of that later.
 

Phil scooped the winner’s pot

 
On that day in Amroth, when there were relatively few fish caught by the 64 anglers, Phil scooped the jackpot with his two flounder, which weighed 1lb 8ozs and 1lb 5ozs to achieve the heaviest overall bag caught.
 
To the uneducated like this writer that might not seem much but it was reward for his concentration because the competition took place between 10am and 3pm before the weigh-in took place.
 
“I caught my first fish after two hours and placed it carefully into my keep-net and I knew I was in with a real chance because with 40 minutes to go I caught my second flounder - and the emphasis is on conservation because every care must be taken to keep them alive and well and after being weighed they are immediately returned to the water.”
 

An early start as Dad showed the way

 
Phil started out his love of fishing when the family lived in Ystradgynlais and his late father Billy, who was a keen fisherman, started taking him and his late brother Ceri, to the banks of nearby rivers and up to others in the nearby Brecon Beacons, where there were loads of brown trout and the odd salmon.
 
“I was about 10 then and I took to it straight away as I caught a small brown trout, which my dad made me throw back in straight away - and dad and my mother Rhonwen must have quickly been fed up with my asking him when we could go next.
 
“And I’m still just as keen as ever because of my disability which has left me with bad arthritis since I was a baby and glaucoma. Twice I have almost lost sight in my left eye and I still have blurred vision there. So I’d go every day if I had my chance because I love fishing off local beaches,  especially Saundersfoot, which is my favourite! I’m grateful to my pal Liam, from Kilgetty, who has given me so much encouragement since we moved down here and has helped with a lot of a fishing techniques.
 

Some special fish mentioned

 
“We came down here to live when I was 13 and went to Greenhill School and in the intervening time I’ve somehow amassed around 30 different rods for catching different fish, lots of reels and other equipment like wet weather kit that takes up a fair bit of space - and my partner Libby is very supportive because she isn’t a fishing fanatic like me!”
 
Going back to the range of fish he has caught he could list in size and rarity from a 13lb bull huss, caught off Saundersfoot Harbour, to tiny blennies and a special one like a leopard-spotted goby, caught near the Pump House, which is very rare indeed.
 

And finally . . .

 
A lot of anglers can be seen with their forks on beaches, digging for razor fish, rag or lugworm, which are the main bait used by sea anglers, but although Phil has undertaken this quite hard work, he now has a different formula because he helps out Michael Rowe, as he drives up to Dragon Baits in Port Talbot, where they are kept in a big warehouse.
 
“So, I’m never short of bait,” said Phil with a chuckle, “which saves me a bit of digging or putting some salt down the holes which appear when the tide goes out at Saundersfoot - and up pops the razor fish!” 
 
Phil tries to support every competition put on by the Neyland Sea Angling Club, including their smaller club matches as well as the bigger charity events - and is full of praise for the welcome he received when he joined and the support given since.
“Brilliant!” Is his one-word summing up of his pals there.
 
Ask him about how people should start out and his answer is quick,
“Get some good advice from other anglers and to start off you could buy a rod, reel, line and other kit needed for about £60 - and if you stick at it you will not only make lots of new friends but also improve your well-being because there is nothing like the fresh air in wide-open spaces, the wild-life and feeling of calmness it brings upon you.’
 
There is no doubt that Phil Evans is a great advocate for angling and itsa help to him with a difficult disability, using the coastline and rivers of Pembrokeshire - and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk are delighted to highlight his recent success - but also to tell you a little more about his refreshing attitude, and the impact it can have.
We wish him continued success in competitions - but also to say that he is a great advertisement for his chosen sport of Sea Angling!