Alderney - 23rd-25th May 2015

[Oli]

We still have very clear memories of refuelling the Arvor 230 mid channel in a F5, diesel spilling everywhere wondering whose crazy idea it was to make the trip across to the Alderney but for some reason they are fond memories and we've been desperate to make it back ever since. It had been a long time coming due to various weddings, births and mainly bad weather but 6 whole years after our last visit we finally returned to the island, and what a trip it was!

Having checked the forecast 10-20 times a day for the week leading up to the departure, the weather was looking great and we were on. Having sat in traffic for just over 3 hours from London to Poole we met the others and went to the marina on Friday evening to load the boat with gear, ice and food ready for an early start the next morning. An early night and back down to the boat for around 6am, a quick team photo:



And we were off bang on 6:20am. The plan was to get in to Braye harbour as quickly as possible, reserve a mooring as it was a bank holiday weekend and head straight to the banks to search for some flatties. We were greeted with a lovely flat Poole Harbour which continued past Swanage:



and all the way to Braye Harbour:



Arriving at 8:45am - wish our journey the night before had been that quick! Mooring of choice reserved, we made coffee and headed straight over to the banks where we found Dave, Kev and Craig on Reel Magic, having already caught some decent fish only half an hour in. Launce, Mackerel and a Weever on feathers on the first drop, plenty more to follow and the bait tank was full in double quick time.

 

Just a couple of minutes after setting the first drift and Dad feels a knock, gives it plenty of line and bang! 1st drift, 1st turbot followed by another shortly after!

 

 

And that's how it carried on for most of the day, often with multiple fish per drift - absolutely fantastic.

 

 

 

 

[Oli]

At about 3:30 we called it a day and made our way back to the island through the infamous Swinge with the conditions still stunning, alongside a rather smart boat too!









After showers and food we got together with the Reel Magic guys for drinks and some amusing fishy talk in the Divers. I was staying on board as was Craig on RM so we left to catch the water taxi, both leaving out a freelined live sandeel on the off chance of a hungry bass (no joy!).

After an excellent night's sleep we were greeted with another stunning day so back to the banks it was. The weather changed after a couple of hours and was overcast, but the fishing was even better with larger fish, many in the 7-9lb bracket, with one to Dibs at 9lb5oz, a bonus brill to me and our first herring on feathers to Duncan.






Both boats stopped near the island to look for tope, Dad had one at 27lb which was excellent fun on a 12lb Kenzaki and Reel Magic found some bull huss too.



Back to the island for more drinks with Dave and crew before Craig and I left them and my lot chatting up the rather interesting bar maid! We had to wait a little while the next morning until there was enough water to fuel up but at Alderney prices it was worth the wait! We then steamed straight off to the first wreck where we found Kev with his rod bent into a cod. By that time the tide was building and the fishing was slowing so we did a few more miles on to the next wreck where we found cod, pollack and a very welcome red gurnard for the species hunt.






From there it was around 25 miles back to Poole and we were back on the pontoon at about 4:30pm. It was a brilliant trip, we lost count of the number of turbot landed and were pleased so many of them swam back strongly for another day. A huge thank you to Dave, Craig and Kev for making the trip such good fun, it's great to have another boat out there no matter the conditions - even better when the crew have had a few!

Let's hope the next one is more like 6 weeks away rather than 6 years...

[Stuie]

Great report and pics Oli - you certainly picked a good weekend for weather and fishing - well done all.

[Kingfisher 126]

Cracking report Oli, gutted I didn't make it but well to all who did.

 

Yes Nigel I would still be on my way back with the "slow boat to China"!!! 

[niggle]

Great report, Chris instead of taking you're tractor could always take mine

[Maverick Martin]

Loved your report Oli a great read

 

Do you intend going over again this year?  if so I would be up for buddying up

[Ark]

Great report Oli

Good pictures, I will get to grips with my phone and take more

It was good meeting up,and a good time had by all

Hope we can do it again sometime

[Steve S]

I enjoyed reading your report Oli. Well done on having a great trip.

 

The banks round Alderney do seem to be fishing consistently well this year.

[fisherman1055]

Great report Oli

 

good to see these lovely fish

 

have not seen the Swinge so tame

 

last time it came over the roof and filled u the back of the boat

 

Tony

[Oli]

Thanks guys, Martin we're keen to get over there again but it would most likely be a 1 nighter so we'd leave at the crack of dawn Saturday, straight to the banks for a full day there then do some wrecking on the way home. It would be great to buddy up

[Newboy]

Well done, we went over with Valkyrie from Hayling Island arriving on the Tues for 2 days and we only managed about 10 fish each but majority of them were under 45cm. We kept about 25 fish betweeen 9 of us. However my mate did catch 1 that was 19 1/2 lb.

[Oli]

19 1/2 lb! Now that is a serious fish!

[Newboy]

If you don't mind me asking, were u at scholl(?) bank or the cascades(?)

We were at the first one for both days, 

[Oli]

Have sent you a PM Kam

[Newboy]

Thank you Oli