Christmas Fayre......flounder comp.

[alun j.]

Another cold, calm and beautifully peaceful days in the harbour today.....the fishing was incidental to the scenery.........but, nevertheless, a few good fish were caught.

 

Gastronaught, as keen as always, was ready to launch before 7.......but sat in the foggy gloom at -2C......there were no lights at Baiter and the big full moon was behind the fog!! So we proceeded slowly and set off in the first twilight.

 

Being an open [most of the time] boat, it was the wind-chill on faces that slowed our trip up the harbour......but still got bait out before the first signs of sunlight.

 

No one spot produced well, we fished some reliable marks and accumulated fish slowly and steadily........with 3 fish close to 2 lbs. and one of mine just over; this proved to be the winner and a super hamper came on board Gastronaught! In fact, the hamper and scales came aboard 30 mins before weigh-in as AWOL was in shallow water about a mile from the slip! Martin and Dean did well, with the best haul of flounders ........but defered on looking in Gastronaught's fishbox.

 

Neal and John Young met us at the slip and helped retrieve Gastro onto her trailer from near zero water! They each had a fish but were a few ounces short. [Perhaps if they'd started earlier, they may have had more??!!].

 

Paul and I both had an excellent and very rewarding day.........fish and hamper!

 

Thank you to those who put the hamper together and brought it along....it is being enjoyed already......

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone,

 

Alun.

[JIMBOB]

Well done Alun , good report, as always! Perseverance paid off

 

James

[Sinbad]

Well Done Alun

A deserved prize! for all the hours you've put in over the season- looked like a cracking day in the sunshine later on - even if a bit parky at first.

 

Sounds like you had a really close finish with many others boats fish like peas in a pod!

 

Couldnt join you or even compete - was deep in the grips of last minute shopping and insulating a rabbit hutch for some new guests.... the things we do...

 

Paul

 

 

 

 

[Paul D]

Alun,

 

Glad the comp went well for you. Unfortunately, I couldn't fish the comp today as had to do my Christmas visiting to Southend. 3 1/2 hours drive with all the fog and coming back was no better.

 

I had Janski II booked in on Saturday ( called me on the phone ). How did the others do ?

 

[alun j.]

Only four of us made the weigh-in; six if you count the Burt duo just offshore!

 

Despite threats, Rob didn't turn up with last week's flattie fattened up with captivity in a tank for a week !

 

Too many last minute Christmas shoppers to get out on a smashing day. Will they be kicking their heels as it blows all this coming week??

 

I'm not complaining!

 

Alun.

[Rob]

 

Well done Alun, sounds like you had a good day.

 

I'm sure your making the most of that hamper!

 

I put my winner back at Baiter, gave it instructions to find you but it obviously didn't listen! Perhaps didn't fancy it's chances of freedom with you having a boat called Gastronaught!

 

Rob

[Sprinter]

Alun

thanks for another great day out, As always I learned a lot again today and am grateful.

 

Just to echo your sentiments though, we do live in an area with spectacular views, and there is a lot more to fishing than just fishing.

 

have a good Christmas and i will see you tomorrow (as ive left my keys in your car )

 

 

[Maverick Martin]

Well done to all that fished the comp and a special thanks to Alun for taking on the responsibility of weighing in and of course winning the hamper.

 

Dean and I on Awol fished Holton Mere and had a steady stream of fish all morning that were all around 1lb8oz we kept one fish aboard at anyone time and as we landed a larger specimen the previous one went back to fight another day. On speaking to Alun and hearing he had one over 2lb we put our largest at 1lb 13oz back. Total tally was around 15/16 flounder onboard.

 

To sum up a cracking day weather wise and some fish to spice up the day.....just what floundering should be all about

 

Martin

[Neal]

 

Congratulations Alun - a well deserved win.

 

As for myself and John..............

 

Following virtually a complete week of entertaining and being entertained, I was totally knackered.

 

John was off the other side of Dorchester collecting xmas Turkeys whilst I was walking the dog. We finally got to Cobbs at about 10.30 and the smells wafting from the clubhouse kitchen proved too much - so a nice cooked breakfast in the sunshine was enjoyed.

 

We finally left the marina berth and 3 minutes later anchored up..........

 

As usuall John has the first fish - not bad as it turned out later - equalling one of the second largest fish on the day.

 

Around 2.00 pm I finally got one - but obviously much smaller. Dropped another one - even smaller, but really enjoyed the warm sunshine. kept hearing the occasional bit of news on the VHF.

 

Packed up fishing at 3.20pm and was in, cleaned up, and back to baiter within 30 minutes!!!!

 

I was reminded once more of the joys of slipping a boat at Baiter at low spring tides - thank God thats no - more.

 

Anyway a lovely relaxing day and a bit of fishing as well - now I had better go out and start my xmas shopping or I will be in trouble.

 

Best wishes to all and have a very happy christmas - see you all on the 30th for the cod comp.

 

Neal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[duncan]

sounds like a load of fun all round and the hamper going onboard 'gastronaught' is clearly fate.....

[great white]

Well done alun

 

a deserved result

 

We grabbed the chance of a trip on Sat and the tale end of a cold kept me ashore yesterday.

 

we sneaked out today in teh wind but should have used the worms yesterday in the nice weather instead.

 

Merry Christmas

Charlie