great white Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Well after months of discussion between the crew and on the forums, a pub planning meeting and dozens of weather checks at last it was time to go. Boat in on Thursday to load the kit, bedding etc and then all the drama about a stern drive seal leaking oil just added to the pre trip excitement. Day 1 No need for the alarm I was up early, empty the fridge into the coolers and of we go to meet Gordon and Will The boys had everything [4 Trollies were needed] loads of tackle and enough food to keep us all very well fed all trip This was all stored away and we set off at 0629 off to the shipping lanes at about 16-18 knots about two hours later, we stop to check numbers and try a spot of feathering, the wreck showed but the macs didnt. Off to the wreck we had considered anchoring, but with ships coming thick and fast plan changed to drifting, It fished well and did not take long for Sam to have the first fish of the trip a medium size pollack rapidly followed by many more to about 10lb. some went back but most would not. In growing winds we set off for plan B, check a few numbers on route to Aldeney. 2 out of 2 were where they should be but by now the drift [wind with tide] was fast so no fish. Onwards to the island. Damn a caution warning , fine at low revs. but as the weather got better and revs could be increased it sounded again. Not what we wanted, so I waited for a ship to pass then changed the primary fuel filter. that sorted it 20 miles or so later we arrived in a well known tope area to find Joint venture and Sweet Chariot and I think Yelo trying thier luck on the drift. I decided to anchor on last years mark. We had a hectic session with about a dozen to 28lb, later to hear of Aluns great 47 lb fish taken in the next bay. Time to head ashore, to see the rest of the boats in Braye and join the crews in the Maris Hall for a birthday beer or several. after the crew dressing the boat with baloons earlier I had another surprise, a decorated cake with candles and Alderney 2009 shirts for all. Thanks Will and Gordon a very nice thought, much appreciated Day two It dawned bright and not too windy so its off to the shoale bank, via the very interesting wave sets at the bottom of the swinge, washing the boat with salt water was not in the plan. Once through the swinge the weather was great for a sprint to the bank, and from the first drift it went well, Launce and the odd mackeral were followed by turbot and Brill. We had a good day trying a few areas, and avoiding some longlines down the edge of the bank. Our tally was 10. 7 Turbot and 3 Brill [with Sam leading the way with two turbot and a Brill, later he admitted that he had been reading up on websites about this type of fishing while on leave because he did not get one last year ]at 1500 we decided not to dissapoint Gordon and take him for a second crack at the tope Even though we only had a few mackeral we had fine sport with plenty of lively fish to 32 lb, Gordon had one that fought like hell, run after run and we thought Alun had competition but when landed it was only an avrage fish of 24lb. It fought well above its weight that one, something had pissed it off.. Finally it as time to head for Braye, Moorings were harder to find, eventually we found one, we took a picture of all the fish, they were still alive in the bait tank, slipped 3 back into the harbour to swim off after the two released earlier. [50% returned] after a hunt for a mooring the wonderful fillet steak supplied and cooked by Will and washed down with beer cider or wine soon seemed to cheer us up again, before a shower and meet up with most of the others in the moorings. Day three, we knew we needed fuel after lunch so decided to try the South banks, again bait was available but apart from a solitary bass [My first in Alderny on Alfresco] it was quiet. after a couple of hours we opted to try for the bigger but more scarce fish on the SW bank. Just two turbot today first again to Sam [returned] and then thankfuly one for Will [we all had one now, just what I had hoped for on this trip] before heading off to the inner harbour Joint Venture was already at the pumps and Wight Magic close behind but it did not take that long to add 360 ltrs a bit of fresh water and be ready again. All three boats headed to the tope spot, sods law this time we had loads of bait but the tope did not show up, even handful after handful of will's groundbait mix failed to get them going. Oh well back to the pub, only to find that we were too slow to be fed at the bottom of the island and had to "borrow the car" to get back in time to eat at the Maris Hall, then back to the moorings for beers. Last day Good early forecast getting up later Planned to leave 0700, delayed a bit waiting for transport for crew and bags, then a call from Paul D, that my new rod was still in the shop . about turn and in to meet Paul on the water Taxi for a batten handover of a nice new bit of tackle [Thanks Mark and Paul ] By the look of the water Taxi Mark had been busy in the Shop. 20 miles to the first wreck and we were on straight away, loads of pollack to about 10lb, at about 3 a drift. I even managed two on one drift, not bad in 65 meters of water. Noon saw us underway again stopping again 10 miles later but this one although showing fish was grabbing tackle to give up only the odd fish. Will put lunch on and we set off the the Rips, only stopping for a drift with no lines in the water as we ate a Curry lunch. After lunch was finished off we go again, but with increasng wind and reported slow fishng legs rips and others we decided just to get home, Yelo and sweet chariot just in sight in front and JV and Wight Magic just astern. The trip home seemed to go on a bit, but eventually we passed Old Harry and into the swash for one more photo oportunity. JV and WM passing the ferry inbound. As we approached JV the speed increased, I am sure the plan was to race off, but after over two hours of boredom I thought I woud play along. and sorry guys we did you [Just] 5 up, tons of kit, Ice and fish just about 30 knots WOT. That ended a great trip. It was absolutly magic to go back again. Especially with both Dan and Sam which is getting rarer now and taking Will and Gordon for there first trip to Alderney. The company and willingness to help with all aspects of the trip , and its planning and preperations were top class, as was Wills cooking The whole trip was a success for all Made even better by the fact that so many boats managed to make the trip, many for the first time and apart from the odd glitch all went well, we all caught fish ,had fun and arrived home tired but well. Thanks for coming guys on whichever boat you used sorry for the long report but I hope that it gives others a feel for what we did. Maybe we can do it all again in May 2010 [Or sooner?] Pictures to follow Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Nice report Charlie. As you say one of the best things for me was the way the club atmosphere came through. Boats buddied up without hastle, everyone stayed in touch on the VHF and kept an eye on each others back. To take 9 small boats over the channel, have good fishing and all get back in one peice without any dramas is a big feat. Look forward to the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 sorry for the long report but I hope that it gives others a feel for what we did. Spot on Charlie your report gives a great insite to the trip well done to you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Moore Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Thanks for a great trip Charlie, I really enjoyed my first to Alderney, the team photo is now my PC wallpaper Some tough fishing but those couple of fighting tope I landed will stay with me for a while. I will certainly be targeting them locally this year. The food was suberb Will and I bet we ate better than most when they were ashore, I bet I put on half a stone. Thanks again to all the Alfresco crew for the great banter and company and appologies for the sulking when everyone was catching except me Regards Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 appologies for the sulking when everyone was catching except me Blimey G - that's not like you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 ' Sulking' ???? Gordon seemed in right good spirits whenever I saw him! ......... and he was always first upin the mornings at B. & B. ....... keen[??]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Moore Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Yes dead keen once I got a sniff off those tope. Just the botom lip was going when you loose all your gear just as everyone elses rod is bending over.........Manic moore! And always ready for more I'm now looking for a keen Tope fisherman to take me to a decent local hot spot (blind folded of course) for some Dorset action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Gordon, Trailaway to Utopia...... Youm know it makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bream on Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 A Big thank you to Charlie for all the planning and sleepless nights for such a successful trip. Also thanks to all other members in the making of the trip. I soon realised I was not going to catch as many as The Chapmans , when they started to shackled me to the Galley every 4 hours . However it was easy to please my victims ! It was like Tope, on a feeding frenzy ! Gordon devoured everything that looked edible followed by Charlie ( who I managed to fill him up ) Sam and Dan. There was great banter on board which made the trip a joy to be on. Thanks to Mark @Alderney Angling for time and advice and to Fe who looked after our needs. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Twas only a blip. He was as keen on day 4 as he was a week ago. Fouled the wreck and snapped off, when all 4 other rods were bending to pollack. When I suggested it would make a nice picture I nearly had a mutiny LOL. Nice pic though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Thanks Will It was a pleasure having you onboard mate [and not just for the cooking] Pic shows the crew on a feeding frenzy, fresh lasagne and salad. This one beat me, even I could not finish the seconds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Had to resort to the smaller pictures after the first day a few pollack for the ice box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Some tope action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Another pair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Dan with the best of the trip 32lb Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 At the end of the second day, we pulled the flatties from the bait tank for a photo. then the three smallest were returned. overall we caught 12 and kept 6 Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djredrupp Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 great photos! just one thing.... why the orange hard-hats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 It started as a joke Dan Matching sunglasses, [Thanks Neal] baloons on the radar arch and helmets But Sam and Gordon thought they brought them luck so kept them on. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Helmets.....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 you'll have to be at the meeting tonight to hear the jokes about their red helmets PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 you'll have to be at the meeting tonight to hear the jokes about their red helmets PJ I heard they were supposed to be purple....? Sorry I can't make the meeting chaps I would have loved to have been told all about Alderney... AGAIN! Tom Barstewards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Tom - you needn't have worried there was only a little "Alderney Smugness" going on that I saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 as neal said in the pub a boat with two matlows on board results in red helmets cheers neil lol sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I'll take his word for it!! Did you ask how he knew!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overrun Posted May 9, 2009 Report Share Posted May 9, 2009 fantastic trip, just slightly envious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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