Greg

Heathrow is not near a World Herritage Site!

Great pictures Charlie, Well Done Greg

Sam Apparently Oli has informed me that the resolution on the camera I use is too high. I use the Panasonic Lumnix Camera which takes great photos but obviously the resolution is too high for uploading. Hence why you are unable to upload the photos I sent you. It's a pity because there were some good ones I took of Alfresco and Kingfisher in action. If I can not alter the resolution on the camera in the future I will use the mobile phone for taking pictures. I am sure I can upload those. Greg

Courtesy of Oli I can now put together our report on Brad's achievements on the Sunday Junior Comp. Brad caught 3 number dogfish, one Spotted Ray (4lb) , One small Undulate Ray and 5 Small Eyed Rays ranging from 5lb 7oz to 11lb 8oz. As we had fished this mark many times previously Brad's tac tic was to try for a specimen Undulate Ray. Previously, we had caught many Undulates on this mark but for some reason Small Eyed Rays were dominating the action. We went out on the Saturday to catch Macys for bait. Good job we did because fishing for three hours we managed only 7 for the whole three hours. Luckily, I had had some frozen when we were fishing at the Air Festival. The ebb tide provided Brad with non stop action from 09.30 to 12.26. Being a slight lad he was struggling bring the Small Eyes in as they Tanked off once they knew they were hooked. It was great experience for Brad as Brad learned not to be too hasty when he saw the rod tip moving. He did drop a very large ray when he decided to reel in too early. ( I was in the toilet at the time) Sometimes kids just have to learn the hard way!! There was a lull in action as the flood took charge. The action then picked up again at 2.35PM and another Small Eyed Ray was landed. However, it was time to pack up for the mad dash for the 3.30PM Bridge (hotly pursued by Madness) The weather on the day was perfect and it was great to see the surrounding Junior boats all having action. It was certainly the perfect fishing day and Brad did not want it to end.

Yes Well Done Sam Another great competition. It certainly takes a lot of effort and it is a proven success seeing such a great attendance. It is very well appreciated Sam and Brad has already asked if he could enter again next year. Also, well done to Chris, Kev and Nigel for their hard work at the BBQ and also the wives for doing the shopping. I have tried uploading photos but had little success and I have passed them onto Sam for uploading. I choose the photo files from the Choose the files function, press the button and then they fly off into Cyber space. (someone has got them somewhere I am sure!!) Hopefully Sam will have more success than me. Greg (Sam put me down for donating another rod and reel next year)

Alfresco- Jayden Wald, Jacob Givans, Jack Allen Marlin - Bradley Toms

You'd soon get fed up of the RNLI constantly coming out to rescue you

What Brilliant Publicity Well Done Boys

Ha, Lightweights As it is Brad's Birthday today I had to endure Chessington World of Adventures all day Saturday, got back from there at 09.00PM and then his friend Tom had a sleep over which meant they didn't get to sleep till late hours. Then up at Sunday morning and off out for a fishing competition. Needless to say I found it difficult to turn the alarm off this morning and also feel totally shattered !!!!

That's a Nice Looking Boat.

Forgot to mention non of the boys species were worth weighing

Here are the results From Brad Toms and Thomas Yorke Tom: 1)Pout 2)Corkwing 3)Golsinney Wrasse 4)Tompot Blenny 5)Ballan Wrasse 6)Poorcod 7)LSD 8)Tub Gurnard Brad 1)Pout 2) Ballan Wrasse 3) Goldsinney Wrasse 4) Tompot Blenny 5) Corkwing Wrasse 6) Poorcod 7) Black Bream 8) Baileens Wrasse

Well done Nigel, that adds another two Juniors for the comp. Great News. Greg

Lucky You, As your generation well and truly buggered up the possibilities of any us having pensions why should we worry about working our socks off for you??????????

He's also partial for a Latte!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 !!!