Freddie

Well done Craig. Enjoyed your write up, just a shame there were no pictures of Jackie...... & the eel of course! Look forward to going out with you next summer.

Sorry to hear about `the one that got away`, a feeling I know only too well. There will be a bigger one some day I am sure the way you are going at the moment. Best wishes. Freddie 'n family.

Craig, he's waiting for you!

Is the `Great White` hunter going after another big conger? Please let me know how you get on. Good luck!

That's cheap I would say for a service. Not sure what fuel/tank system you have but I would say that it's a fuel starvation problem I had a similar problem on my 60HP Mercury, where my engine would cut out on one 22 litre tank but not the other one. I realised it was a fuel starvation problem as I had to keep squeezing the primer bulb to make it run. So it turned out that one tank was faulty/old & rusty. As soon as I replaced it all was fine. Not too expensive. Hope you get it sorted soon. Freddie.

I have a Mercury 60HP from 1987 electric start, but I also have instructions on how to connect a starter rope so if you think these would be of any help then please let me know & I will e-mail them to you. Handy to have if it ever happens again as a back up. `Freddie`

Tried to ring you but could only get crackling on the line! Get well soon.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I do not have a brake on my trailer, so if you have one then it's v easy. (I have made a set of three chocks, one for each wheel. 0ne less thing to go rusty & therefore service & maintain) PS: Only got small boat! Cheers.

I have been launching at Baiter for over 20 years & often wonder why people do not let their boats float to the side of the slipway in a strong wind. This is what my wife & I do then simply wind the boat on. The only problem is that the trailer can move backwards & the wheels slip off the slipway this then becomes a nuisance as I can't then pull the boat out as it is too heavy to get the wheels back on the tarmac. So, the trick is to make sure you chock the wheels in the water or you hold on v tight. Warning: it does block the slipway for a short while to other users but I am sure that in the long run the slip is clear much quicker as you are not fighting the waves & wind to retrieve the boat onto the traller. I no longer launch on a Sunday as I work shifts & I find it a little too busy/chaotic & dangerous to say the least. Top tip..... never ever rush anything to do with boating especially launching & retrieving. Be safe!!!!

Thanks for that Paul I will keep trying & may even take some of my garden worms with me in my hand baggage. Wonder what BAA security will say about them? In fact I am off to Zurich for two nights soon, so will have a fish in that lake. By the way, I caught a small brown trout in the river Weir in Durham yesterday on maggots. Lovely fast flowing river with all sort of sports fish including salmon.

Tried my luck in Lake Geneva this week with my young son's telescopic rod. Managed to get it through the tight security of Terminal 5 LHR with a few spinners & small plugs. Unfortunately, it was a little too warm & the water too clear so did not manage to tempt a perch or pike to have a nibble. Does anyone know what the fishing is like in lakes Geneva or Zurich? Going to try my luck in Newcastle on Sat so hope my luck changes for the better. Caught some codling & flatties last time I was there.

Sorry to read that you have had so much hassle & expense, hopefully you can now get out & catch a few dinners. Had to be towed in myself last year by my mate in Saltern's Marina as my stator (& trigger) had to be replaced on my Mercury 60 HP outboard. Cost me hundreds of

We hope you had a lovely day. Freddie & family.

Arrowflash was out a few times last week as the NW wind was light am. My Rappala (J13) lure did the business yet again at the harbour entrance & I landed 5 bass from 2.5 - 3.5 pound. Not v much weed or other boats around which made it all the more enjoyable. Freddie, my 3 year old son caught his first mackerel with the help of his Mum off Bournemouth pier & some lovely bbq's were had by all at our caravan at the weekend.

Absolutely fab! Thanks for sharing that.... liked the music too. V jealous. Gas, when are you taking me???

Craig, Have a safe trip, hope you catch lots. Please save one for us when we meet up in June for the barbie 'n Baileys. Oh, & don't forget to post some pickies. Tight lines!!! Freddie & crew.

I had a 4HP once & I know that it would be more than adequate. I would use a separate fuel tank though thus eliminating any fuel problems from your main engines. I have had `tank` problems in the past & have got round it by the fact that I have two 22 litre tanks plus two small back ups which I use to top up if necessary. Freddie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG. Bet if you had known you were going to live this long you would have looked after yourself? Hope you have a lovely day & we look forward to seeing you soon. Freddie & family

Maria, my current wife, enjoyed it & more importantly, took note!!

Welcome to the club, look forward to seeing out at sea sometime soon. Tight lines!

Completed by Freddie as well.

Well dun that Aussie, could not agree more! We should say exactly the same but then our politicians are afraid of losing their votes & consequently their cosy jobs, eg: Jack Straw.

Wound me up big time! Have you seen front page of the Mail today? 11 terror suspects are given `crazy` compensation payments.... does that make me racist 'cos I am fed up about tax payers

Well, we went to the airport in Lyons, got food 'n water & passengers & took off on time, then landed early, arriving 10 mins ahead of schedule into Terminal 5. Clear roads on the drive down the M4 to Wokingham. What's all the fuss been about I wonder???? Good to be back in Blighty though & not watching Sky TV to find out how you have all been coping. Roll on Spring!!!!

Worked a flight to Lyons now stuck here as Heathrow is shut. Could be here for a fews days...... Wish I had packed my telescopic rod as the river Rhone looks quite fishable. Oh well, in a 5 star hotel, BA paying, so I guess I am quite comfortable and I am getting paid to be here. Could be worse ways to pay the mortgage!!!! Roll on summer.