Swainiac

Just had a call from the owner of the river, he's well up for us cracking out a few Pike, so I've pencilled in a week friday for the first trip. Will post a deffo date soonest. Rich

Adam, I'm in for crewing please. Rich

Mikey, weve had flounders, only small ones, on worm in Beaulieau River as far upstream as Applemore........so they can survive very well in fresh water!!! Rich Oh for my old sciving schooldays with rods hidden in hollow trees!!!!!

My pennies are on the good ship "Maverick". Rich

Dave, I expect that Ray will include you on the mailing list, if he doesnt, I'll forward you mine, then mail him to include you. I'm not sure who you have drawn in the mystery pairs............I blagged Andy Selby, we both managed 7 pts on friday, so I think we are lying third Rich

Welcome to the forum Dick, see you for an ale early doors tuesday 2nd may!!! Enjoy the forum chap. Rich

A bright start, 04.45 see's me up and bunging the porridge on. Looks chilly out, although no frost. Tackle aboard and lunch stowed in the cab, I'm off down to Weymouth, collecting BB at 0700. Were not the first on the boat, only as its the first of our Friday Fishers species hunts with Colin Penny, on board Flamer. The crew is assembled and we steam out of the harbour, into a sharp NE breeze......hats on baldies!!! Over to the Adamant, seeing Whiting, Dogfish, anmd mackeral.......yes Mackeral!!! No great numbers of anything today, but a january fish is a january fish, so they are all greatfully unhooked and returned. A shift of position brings more doggies, and a bonus Dragonett for me, (worth 16 points!!), but the fishing is very sporadic and sparce. We nip across to Durdle door, or is it Dore? Close in tight to the cliff see's very little, as does a drift in front of the arch. The last half hour was spent in fruitless drifts at Chequers, and a few wrecks close in behind the breakwater, not a single pollack or wrasse today, theyre all off on hollidays. Back to the Sailors for a pint.......then the long haul home in rush hour traffic, I love it!! Roll on summer!!!! Rich

Dommy...........there is an active archery club in Southampton, Ive been there a few times, but it didnt float my boat so to speak, so a few enquiries there should put a price ticket on it. Failing that......bang it on trusty old E-bay. Rich PS. If I'd sold a house, and had a longbow in the attic worth a few squid, I know my longbow wouldnt be sat in your attic

Newsflash.................not quite the first cetacean in the Thames Estuary!

One presumes they are gorging on the huge sprat shoals, prior to spawning, then spawn when they dissapear from the feeding grounds?? Rich

Tom, why not try a few bags of Storm Sandeels, the larger ones?? I used them mid channel last year, where others on the boat used firetail jellies or larger storm shads, and was the only angler not to blank. Its pretty much what they are feeding on, on the day, and what kicks the feeding urge. Ive got a good supply of jellies I brought back from the states last year, 100 in a pack I think, and you are welcome to them. My money would be on taking a bag of large storm sandeels per angler, a few bags of stormies......if they are complete muppets, the wreck will eat them!!! Why not try the coloured sandeels from Veals (I think), round about the same price?? Ive also got a shed load of Flying collars Ive made up for the bassing season, if you want to try those out, take a few on board with you. Use a weak link for the bottom lead, and tackle losses will be far less. You have my numbers, give me a bell. Tight lines, Rich

Didnt Mark B's boat need to go back to the eastern block for a factory job if he decided to go that way?? Same factory???? Rich

Martin, Adam, I for one would definately benefit from a spot of tuition in anchor retrieval. On Sunday, Coddy asked me if I wanted to steam it out, and as I hadn't done it before, felt outside my " Comfort Zone", and declined. With lessons from Bob F on trim and turning etc, then the chance to position over a wreck, (almost Coddy, almost!), I feel far more confident as crew, but being a shy person......I'm unwilling to ask skippers if I can try something new. We all have to learn sometime, so I'm all for it. Rich

Big differential there Dave, simple annomolie, or something more sinister??# Rich

Reg, to give you an indication of what species are abundant in september, I have looked at the tally for sept last year in a small monthly species hunt I do down in Weymouth. Two of the anglers in the comp are Glen Milligan, and Steve Clements, who are both England Internationals, and then of course, there is me!! so that should give you an idea of the scope of angling prowess on board!! We had the following, in a six hour match, with seven anglers on board Colin Penny's charter boat, "Flamer": 11 Black Bream, 6 Bull Huss, 17 Dogfish, 11 Garfish, 4 Gurnard, 48 Mackeral, 2 Pollack, 2 Poor Cod, 3 Pout, 6 Sandeel, 2 Scad, 2 Smoothound, 25 Ballan Wrasse, 3 Cuckoo Wrasse, and 13 Corkwing Wrasse. These were all taken on either squid, mackeral, or worm bait, mostly drifting in different areas of portland. A good web site to look at is www.deepsea.co.uk, and check out the portland boats.......this should give you an idea of whats going on. Yes, got the mail...thanks. Keep checking in on our club site to see whats coming and going......whats working and what isnt, and who's telling porkys and who isnt (joke). To be honest, you will still find plenty of summer species here still in september, as the waters will be at their warmest for the year. You will find plenty of macky to use as bait, be able to feather up launce and sandeel off Portland for bass, use joeys for bass or tope, Garfish make an excellent Tope Bait too. Cuttle will be available to tempt the late Bream.......you may even find a Gilthead inside Portland Harbour on worm, if youre quiet......and lucky!! I'm sure we will bump into you....keep in touch. Rich

Kam, there is a download available, which shows the tidestream at intervals, giving the flow in diagram format, with strength shown in long and shorter lines. Most charter skippers hjave one of these in the wheel house, to keep abreast of the tide, as it is very specific in the portland area. I'll try and blag one for you and laminate it for you. I'll see Colin Penny this Friday, and will grab one. Rich

If I don't blank......I'll be there!!!! Rich

Numbers are growing, so it looks like a third day will be needed! Speaking to MR E today, so will post later. Rich

Zippy.......the red numbers on the wall are situated before and after the wrecks, ie the start and end of your drift. I'd plum for small rigs and small baits, you could try some groundbait, but there isnt much sizewise in there at present, all mini species really. Some of the dive boats may try and bully you off "Their Wrecks", but I guess you have right of way inside having no engine???? Anyway, tight lines, look forward to reading the report, as I'm down there next friday on a comp. Rich

Zippy, when you get inside the harbour, look for the floats that the dive boats have their shot lines attatched to. Also, there are a few giveaway numbers painted on the btreak water walls to designate specific wrecks. This time of year you should be able to tempt a Red Band Fish from its hole, we havent a club record listed for this strange fish......so go for it! Your main species inside will be small pollack, wrasse, pout and a plethora of minis's. Give BB a shout on here, he'll put you right and may sneak out for an afternoon with you.....depending on work commitments. Tight Lines m8 Rich

Kam, Ive sent Reg a PM re the Bass............awaiting a reply. Rich

Paul, excellent link, excellent updated site......however, can we please check the correct date for the July comp, you have it listed as the 25th, which is a tuesday according to my calender, although I stand to be corrected! Rich

Kam, I use a light spinning rod, and a small fixed spool, loaded with 15lb line, although you will need a trace of sorts, which I can sort out for you, also a larger float for a livebait, small stormies, or plugs, and away we go. Its pretty neolithic stuff, and certainly not rocket science, so I can us all enjoying a good session down there. Rich

oooooooooooops, how could I forget my old chutney ferret mate BB?? Billy, what day is best for you?? Also, if Sam can get closer to the main road, are you able to bring him closer to the rest of the group, that way, Charlie wont need to drive too far out of Poole? I'll speak on the blower soon I'm sure, anyway. Rich

Ok guys, there is plenty of enthusiasm here, so I will speak with the Riparian owner, and get permision for a few trips. One I will do on a friday, so Jimbob can escape to the river for a few hrs solace from the children, so I expect that trip will comprise of Adam, PJ, Jimbob, myself, and one other, and a second foray to comprise of Sam, Les L, (nice to hear from you Les, havn't seen you about in ages!), Dan and Dommy, (are you two best at weekends??), and Alun. Kam, can you do a friday?? The fishery is very close to Salisbury, just a few miles from High Post on the A335 to Amesbury, so travelling time back to Andover should be quite rapid Kam. We can meet you at Highpost, in the garage, if you like. Sam, I'll bring a couple of fly rods, a smaller 6 weight, so you can get the hang of flicking, and a larger 9 weight, which is what you will use in the sea. We'll have you double hauling in no time!!! The fishery is run as a catch and release, and I would like to see any trout taken on lures or small deadbaits returned please, but the pike will be removed, and either placed in other waters locally with EA permission, or euthanased. Livebaits can be taken in the carriers that run off the Main river, we took dace, chub, although there are a few gudgeon, which are an excellent pike livebait. Due to the fact that there are no stocked fish on this fishery, I dont think it prudent to import small Rainbows for livebait, in case they do jump ship and survive!! I'll speak with Anthony on monday, when he is back in London, and get permission, then make a definate date. What dates can you guys make?? Cheers lads, looking forward to it.......... Rich