Swainiac

I'll be bringing a new very small but equally capable angler into the fold shortly, just need the days to warm up a bit, and the seas to flatten off before he wets his line for the first time. And at the tender age of five, he has a few years of junior angling in him yet! As for me, I guess I'll be joing the ranks of the geriatrics! Rich

Neal, get a small camera rigged up in the garage buddy. Also, consider linking it to the computer, so the recordings are stored. If they think you have replaced stolen gear with an insurance claim, there is a possiblity they will return. As stated, there is a remort possibility that garage lock may be compromised. Change the barrel. Cheap enough to do, and gives peace of mind coupled with the camera. Any new gear, take an endplate off clean it of grease, and put a mark on it with either yours or your wives nail varnish, this will give an identifyable mak should property be recovered. Id also suggest all club members do this, as the old bill......well....any worth their salt....will ask you for identifying features of your stolen kit. I accept that this is all post horse bolted, but a few measures put in place could catch a determind burglar. I can also give you the phone number a good buddy who is ex hereford hooligans, and he would be very happy to help. If I can help buddy, shout. Rich

Neal, I have some small Shimano and a couple of ABU that you are free to use untill you get back up and running. I also have a mile of 30lb braid just come from the states, its yours if it helps mate. Rich

Did you get crew or the trip? Rich

Hi Charlie, if you fall short of troops to help scrub her down, I'll offer up my services! Hope all is well. Rich

Is the tide out Carl??!!!!!! Hope all is well mate. Rich

The legs would seem a good place to ber looking early in the season. I recall having good catches in that area historically. Rich

Martin, many thanks, old account ressurected, so if you wish to delete the Swainiac! one from the forum it's safe to do so now. Great to be back! Rich

Hi troops, yes....I'm afraid 'tis the original! Same old thing though, new computer, new home, old password.....OLD BRAIN! Couldnt recall the pass, so I'm sure the good old admin guys can ressurect my old login, as it would be good to re visit some of the old rubbish I wrote! Thank you guys for your kind words, scaffolding will be collected Adam, I'l explain stuff when I see you guys. Great to be back amounst such a dedicated and decent guys. Rich Swain

Appologies for the delay, busy boy at work, just been ofsteded!!! Anyways, the Hamper is all sorted, I cant fish, unless someone sees me sat at Baiter and takes pity!!!! See you guys at the weigh in......Tight Lines!! Rich

Good to see you're mended......can't have the Big Gay Bear in bedrest over the break!! Get well soon budweiser! Rich

Will be a giggle seeing how they intend to police this byelaw. They cant police issues already in place, so I guess more on the list against the recreational angler, again shows how this group of airheads thinks they can bully the small, although not in Pete's case, guys!! Thanks for the heads up Peter. Rich

Have we had a donation for such a healthy plug on the site??? Answers on a postcard please. Rich

Neal, hi mate, any chance of crewing??? My working weekend has switched to next weekend, so I'm available. Rich

I am availble to crew, would be nice to get out again. Rich

Thanks guys, had a good day. No fishing but quite calm at work, the kids first day back after seven weeks off......and no need for any positive handling!!!! Had a good buy over in the states actually, 1500 yards of braid,

Hi troops, just back from Florida.....great fishing, shore piers and Kayaks. Cant do the lure comp, am out with Steve Porter, booker his boat for the school, got five kids out with me........you have been warned!!!!! Tight lines. Rich

Would love to, but will be flying offshore a tad farther on Friday! Good luck in the Bass Comp. Rich

With my sons over from N. Ireland, Neal very kindly offerred us a day out on board Court Jester. Conor decided perhaps fishing was not for him, so stayed at home in front of the goggle box, Calum jumping at the chance to get a few fish. We met Neal and John at Cobbs at a very respectable 0900hrs, carrying the bare minimum of tackle, and settled onto the boat. With Calums lifejacket adjusted from lard proportions down to snake hip size, Neal took us out, stopping off to collect some rag, which really did come in handy later in the day. Steaming out of the bay, we headed out to some banks to try for a few ray, but the mark has also produced a few bonus species, we decided to bag up on mackera for bait...........not as easy as we thought! Some perfect sized joey's came in, with a smattering of realistic fillet sized baitfish too, so off we steamed. Settling on the mark, fish began to come, but slowly. Neal picked up what looked to be a good Ray, but this fish was dropped in a medium to strong tide, on a lighter than usual leader. Calum decided he needed to speak to the sea Gods over the gunwalls, with Neal, John and Dad offering mutterings of encouragement. Groundbaiting complete, and swells rising, we decided upon a move, closer to the patch, in hopefully smaller seas. Not to be, tide almost gone, the boat swinging, and Cals still uncomfortable, we hauled anchor and came back inside the harbour. Settling on the edge of a channel, John immediately picked up a nice sized Red Mullet, bites coming readilly. Calum grabbed a few good Black Bream, and his first Bass, all taking either worm, or worm/squid, or worm/mackeral strip cocktails. Bites slowing down, Neal decided upon a move closer in, to one of his secret yet productive marks. Down went the gear, bites coming fast and furious. More school Bass, Black Bream, then a stonker of a bite on my light Beast Master, producing my first ever Gilthead Bream. Not huge, around 3/4lb, but my first all the same. Neal decides upon a bait change, reels in his line, with the punch of a flattie on the end........a beauty of a summer Plaice. Bonus! More Bass and Bream, before the worms run out, and we decide to head in. An excellent day out, weather held out, Mackeral, L.S.D; Black Bream, Bass, Red Mullet, and Gilthead Bream. Dan posted earlier how great it is to witness your son catching and enjoying a passion inherrited from their fathers, in my case four generations. Money cant buy this. A huge thanks to Neal for the day out, and to John for great company and patience. Cant wait for the next trip! Rich

Just like buses and policemen!..................................

Some cracking fish in good condition Dan, and great to see your son land his fish. Well done. Rich

Mike, excellent read, quite a versatile craft the "Fox" is! We jet off to Florida a week today, once my sons disapear back across to Ireland. Hopefully some fishy tales to be told! Rich

Thats a tad "camp"........... have a good weekend chap. Im taking the young Swainiac down to the Itchen to teach him to chuck fluff today, will try and bag him his first Pike also. Thanks for the calls last night, Alun, then Paul D.......sorry I cant oblige, would have loved a crack out there. Tight lines today troops. Rich

Its nice being on six weeks off........its not nice not having a boat now! Rich

I hope to be out with Neal on Court Jester, along with my sons, conor and calum, who are family members........Swainiacs about! Rich