Alderney 2005

[Adam F]

Well, were back! - Its taken a decent nights kip and a lazy day today to recover but it was well worth it. Ill just cover my trip and let others do there's.

 

We left Weymouth at 8am on Tues but a stiff 5-6 SW was blowing making the ride past the Shambles aweful - max speed was 5 knots and that was uncomfortable. Once we cleared the banks and got a depth under the keel it evened out a bit but was still far from calm.

 

A stop for macky 12 miles from the Bill then off to a wreck for Pollock and Cod. We stopped at a few other wrecks on the way over also. We arrived at Alderney at about 3pm, and drifted an eddy off the Swinge for Pollock - great fun on 6lb line a 20grm spinning rod! A few beers that night were well earnt!

 

The 2nd day the sun shone and the winds dropped. We fished the South Banks for flatties and whilst it was very hard work the total tally was 20 flatties for our boat - Tiger Lilly. It was thirsty work made worse by the crewman being unable to opperate the kettle!! The last drift for the day brightend up an otherwise poor day for me - a stonking 8lb Brill - almost 200% specimen

 

Day 3 looked promising after the day before, and a good start with a few bass had us in high hopes...but we struggled a little on the banks with only 7 turbot. However Martin showed the way with a cracking Turbot of 14lb 8oz - the best of the trip!

 

That night we took turbot to the wonderful 1st and Last resturant, where it was served on a bed of Spinach, with parmasan and chedder cheese and then baked! Followed by 3 bottle of Sancere and 3 helpings of Chilli Tiger prawns - possibly the best seafood meal Ive ever had!

 

Last day we headed back across the channel, stopping on a large wreck to take about a dozen ling to 18lb. We hit Weymouth at 7pm tired but happy.

 

Many thanks to Chris Cains and Pat Carlin our Skippers, and to Leigh and Chris at the Armoury, lastly to our crewman Peter.

 

Adam