Mike Fox

Latest ever entry for a Flounder Comp Award goes to.... 1) Court Jester Neal + crew TBA 2) yelo Jacob, Kev, Dave Evans 3) Libby.. Martin c + crew TBA 4) Warren Rich + Alun 5) lofty - kayak 6) Kingfisher - Chris, Lester Mc Carthy. 7) Marichelle- Mick + James 8) Frisky Fox - Mike and George ....subject to anyone still having some worms for sale! Mike

Hey, didn't realise! Happy birthday old fella Mike

I gave a presentation to members of the Ringwood and Southbourne Canoe Clubs yesterday evening, at the RNLI college. The RNLI provided me with a couple of new leaflets and retroflective tape tags, designed for canoeists, which seemed to go down quite well. I'm happy to bring the few I have left along to the Club Meeting on Thursday, if any Kayak members would like them. Mike

I still think a short tunnel would have given total access to all.... sighhhhhhh Mike

Astonishing! Glad you found a root cause. Will you lend him your boat again? Mike

Sounds a good idea to re-run it, and a date when people have another incentive to be out makes sense, George and I would then be keen to take part, and available as crew (Frisky can't practically compete during short days, with bridge lifts, and travelling needs). Mike

Regretfully I won't be participating this year, but for those who do, you might be interested that the seastate isn't very pretty out there at the moment, despite it being fairly still on land: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=62103 Mike

I use paravanes on handlines for trolling for mackerel for bait. The load on them is incredible, equivalent to 15-20lbs I guess at 3-4 knots, warranting cleating off the line, and needing fairly thick line to be able to handle them. I typically have 4-5' of trace to the lure, and as soon as a fish takes, the load on the paravane changes, and it flips upside down, bring the fish kiting to the surface. If you snag weed on the vane, they stay down, and the load easily can double. I wouldn't use them on a rod. Mike

Hope you have a good one Mal....cod dinner ? Mike

Nigel must mean Cookoo Wrasse...have even seen pictorial evidence.... Mike

Points were based on the total of fish caught. Rankings were based on the lowest total of "boat positions". The French and English U21 totals were the same. They then looked at the number of 1st place positions - "boat wins", and the French had more 1st places than England. So...the name of the game was to be best on your boat - for which points per fish counted. Hope that clarifies.... Mike

Hey, fun video....!!! Mike

The youth points look correct. England was pipped to 2nd by France on countback. as they had more "boat wins". Mike

Brilliant Rob!!!! The grin on your face said it all. I want one now.... Mike

Brilliant Rob!!! Porbeagle off the Purbecks next? Mike

Copied from the Angling Trust Facebook page: "Congratulations to Team England Youth, bronze medal in the Fips M World Boat Champs! Celebrations all round tonight. Massive well done to the organising committee Neil Bryant, Ray Ashby, Brian Owen, Andy & Charlotte Selby, Jo Hyde and everyone involved, sterling job & big thanks to the stewards for a huge contribution!" Well done George!!!

England seniors are in first position after two days. England Under21s are in Silver Medal position behind the Italian team. George had a better second day, boosting the team score, but still hopes to do more. The standard is astonishing, and George is still improving. Mike

Thanks Stuie!

and now the video evidence http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/video/3810992923001/?ref=vidshare Mike

This was in the Dorset Echo yesterday: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/11499409.Angling__Weymouth_to_host_world_boat_show/ based on an interview with Neil Bryant, the England Team Manager (centre and back row below). Carol and I have just come back from Weymouth. The town closed off the seafront road for the opening ceremony parade, with the full England senior and under 21s in matching blazers and England ties, with George amongst them. Each team had the national flag, and a local "mascot" walking with the group. A totally surreal experience for us, and am sure it was the same for him. He's had 3 full and intense days of training, fishing, rig making, tactics and techniques, and goes into the first official Practice Day tomorrow, followed by the World Boat Fishing Championship itself. Mike

Well done again Steve! Mike

Change of plans. Trip now cancelled for Saturday. Mike