Greg

Stuie - Thank you for your kind words and fortunately for once there was nothing fanciful about this report!!! Cheers Kev - we had an unexpectedly good day. I entitled the report 'Lady Luck' for a reason - Don't think we will be able to repeat that one for a very long time.

Ian All to do with my upbringgging unfortunately

Hi Martin and Rob Yes Please do. Greg

Sam, I will ask Brad if he would like him to join us again. I think I know what Brad will say. Martin, Tom had a great day. They gave their all, and you don't normally do that if your not interested in the sport. He and his parents thanked us greatly and he said he would like to go again.

Those of you that may have a nervous disposition about entering a popular fishing competition and being beaten by a couple of 11 year olds, I suggest you turn your computer off now. We have taken part in Dog Fish Dave's competition for many years and this year Brad wanted to invite his school friend Tom to take part who had never fished before. I agreed and we picked him up from his home 07.30 AM Saturday morning and set off for Cobbs. On the journey down to Cobbs I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to take a back seat this year and become a Gilley for the day. But as there were not many Juniors taking part in the competition I thought I was doing my bit in boosting the numbers. So the pressure was off. Or so I thought!!!! Leaving the Birth at 08.15 for the 08.30 bridge lifts we saw Mike and George on Frisky Fox. It was nice for the kids to see George in the Basin catching a Goby. Upon leaving the quay I decided that this year we would do something different and fish the harbour first for a Bass and possibly a Flounder. I knew this was going to be a tall order as we hadn't had a Flounder on board this year. We arrived at our mark by Brownsea Island at 09.00AM and I baited up Brad's rig first for him to cast out. I then turned to Tom and said 'right lets get you fishing'. I hadn't even got the bait on his rig and at 9.05AM Brad said 'I got a fish on'. Up came a Flounder (10 points) at this point I then thought perhaps we might have a slight chance in the competition. I showed Tom how to cast the rod and he was soon Fishing. At 09.20 Brad then brought in a Bass. Job done within 25 minutes we had 15 points. We then set off for Shore Road to ease tom into fishing for Wrasse. After setting the hook and the boat swinging completely in the wrong direction we caught nothing but Ballan Wrasse. However, Tom was catching and it was good for him to cut his teeth on getting fish aboard. For a complete beginner he was doing very well. Knowing that were beginning to lose time I said to the boys that we would go to Bmth Pier and try for Smoothound, Plaice and Gurnard. Within in minutes we Brad had caught a plaice and Tom had caught a Tub Gurnard. The points were then beginning to mount up. Unfortunately, we could not get a Smoothound so we set off to Bournemouth Pier for a Red Gurnard. As we motored off I probably made one of the most important decisions of the day. It was 11.15 AM and in the back of my mind I knew that the tide was ebbing out of the Harbour, so I suddenly did an about turn and set off for the Swash Channel. After anchoring I set up the heavy gear for the Rays. Tom was first in with a Small Eyed Ray and Brad followed shortly after with an Undulate Ray. The boys were getting hungry at this stage and they went inside for lunch. At last I was left alone with my rods and soon had two Smoothound on Board. We hade gained 45 Points in less that half an hour. For once my decision had paid off. The seas were chopping up at this stage and we could not get round to Swanage Bay to try for a Spotted Ray as I knew it would be too uncomfortable for the boys who were beginning to tire. So we set off for the patch. Soon after setting the anchor Brad was bringing up the mini species. Goldsinney Wrasse, Corkwing Wrasse, Gobby, Tompot Blenney and a Rock Cook Wrasse. Tom managed a few wrasse too and I finished our tally with a Black Bream. As a boat we had achieved 16 Species, Brad caught 11 of these, Tom caught 2 and I caught three including a Baillons Wrasse that was not mentioned. Our best ever result for this competition was 15 species about three years ago, we then came 5th in the competition. So on our way into Cobbs I was quietly optimistic that we may have a chance of being in the top five again. Not knowing that this was a record turn out with 19 Boats entered and approximately, 70 Anglers. I had forgotten about the Junior section of the competition. Dave Wilson began the presentation by announcing the Top Junior Prize. With 49 Points scored Brad deservedly won this prize ( a spinning fishing rod and reel) and well chuffed he was. The Top women's prize was then mentioned ad it was the soon on to the Winning Boat Positions. It was good to see Chris and his team on Kingfisher win for the fourth time as I know he puts a lot of effort into the competition and I am a great believer that you reap what you sow. Fred Smith's boat Sea Wolf was then announce in second position. After they had collected their prizes Dave Wilson then announced that the third place with 96 points was Marlin. My jaw dropped and I looked to the kids and they cheered. I was in complete shock, all that was going on in my mind was how could a couple of 11 year olds (including one that had never fished before)come above at least 60 anglers in a competition. To say that I was a proud dad was a complete understatement. The boys had fished out of their skins and deserved the credit that was givento them. One final nice and decent gesture was made by Fred Smith. In the line up of winners Photographs (of which we were part of) Fred Smith could see that Tom was the only person without a rod. So upon leaving the line up he turned to Tom and gave him his winning rod, a beautiful 6 to 12ld Shimano. What a great Bloke. I know this is quite a long report but I hope it inspires juniors to take part in these events as you never know where Lady Luck is going to shine.

Sorry for the latte response Sam, Brad is still available on the two dates mentioned. I have bought the Rod and Reel promised as one of the prizes and will give it to your dad at this month's meeting. Can you confirm your dad will be there? Greg

In that case Neal, should you be successful in catching a Mako you hold the tag close to the fish and I'll take the picture from my boat!!!

Well done Mike, I agree great skills especially being under pressure.

Happy Birthday Charlie Greg

I'm out to Swanage Bay with Three kids tomorrow. To save everybody I will not be on Channel 6 !!!

If that does not work, buy a Panasonic and you get 5 years warranty!!

I agree with most of the comments previously mentioned. I have been at Cobbs for 25 years. The staff are great and the facilities are Brilliant. However, it has only been the last three years that we have had a boat where we have had to rely on the lifting of the bridges to get us out there fishing. I have to be honest and say it is a pain and we are considering buying a boat where we do not have the reliance on the bridges. If you want to go fishing in the week there is no bridge lifts at 08.30AM or at 5.30PM. The rush hour takes priority. Also, if you want to go fishing in the winter time during the shorter days you have to leave Cobbs in the dark at 07.15 for the bridges. Otherwise if you get the bidges at 09.30AM you will not be on your marks until 10.45AM. On average it takes between 15 to 20 minutes to go through the bridges. You then have to contend with the bridges breaking down. The new bridge has broken down a few times. Also, the last time Stuie and I went out we had to wait 6 hours for the Old town bridge to lift as that had broken down too. This can be very irritating as we all want to go fishing when there are certain weather windows. Generally, you have to plan your trips carefully and always have a back up plan if the bridges do not lift. Good luck with your new boat she looks great. Greg.

Brilliant fish Nige Well Done Greg

Yes very good pictures Lofty. The Corkwing's photo is particularly good as it is a good example of the Kidney shape behind it's eye which is always a giveaway that it is a Corkwing Wrasse. Greg

Well Done Neal Just the Poole Open Cod one to win now and then you will have a full house!!! Greg

Same Here, Happy Birthday guys, looked like you both had a great day. Greg

Nope - Too far with a hangover I'm afraid Won't be able to drive for at least a week!!

Happy Birthday Chris, Double celebrations tomorrow night then!! I sense there could be quite a session, Greg

1st place best specimen: rod and reel combo, PBSBAC 2nd place best specimen: rod and maybe tackle voucher - Greg Toms 3rd place best specimen: fixed spool reel Best Girl over the 3 competitions: rod and reel combo largest fish 19th July: small tackle selection and voucher ; donated by Neolimn Photography & Design (Ian Simpson) largest fish 9th august: small tackle selection and voucher largest fish 6th September:small tackle selection and voucher all three of the largest fish prizes need to be of the same value, I would suggest around £30.00 highest number of species 19th July: highest number of species 9th august: highest number of species 6th September: open to suggestions for this category to keep some variety, however same as above need to be same value of around £30.00 HATS AND TROPHYS: TO BE ORGANISED BY PBSBAC

19th July Alfresco- Jayden Wald, Sam and Dom Annear Marlin - Bradley Toms 9th August Alfresco- Jayden Wald, Emma and Amy Simpson 6th September Alfresco- Jayden Wald, Jacob Givans, Jack Allen Marlin - Bradley Toms

Hi Sam Well executed as usual Sam well done. May I suggest you list the prizes and quantities you require for donation. That way we can put our names by the side of each prize. This will save duplication and having too many of one type of prize and will hopefully encourage members to donate. Regards, Greg

Happy Birthday Santa --- Ooops Greg

1) Sea Dream - Stuie and crew TBA 2) Kingfisher - Chris, Mal, Lester 3) Marlin - Greg and Brad

Hello Rich This happened to my first fishing boat I bought from new. After the third year exactly the same happened to mine. The manufacturer honoured the three year hull warranty and the boat was taken back to the factory and repaired. It took four months to be returned. How old is your boat? check to see if the hull still under warrantee.? Greg

I would also take a look at the foundations under the external wall of the extension. Concrete strip foundations should be built for a cavity wall i.e to a minimum of 600mm wide. Depth of the foundation would depend on the soil type but should not be less than 300mm deep. If the foundations were built for a single wall and are narrow this may cause you problems for the future, especially if you are thinking of adding another skin or building upwards.