Swainiac

Mikey, do you know anyone who delivers live sandeels to Poole?? Also, how many of our readers are intersted in buying live eels, if I can get my hands on any?? Rich

With the immense number of miles that this new department will cover, the fact that such a small area of our inland waters is policed by the officers from the EA, unless, of course, there is a sustainable run of Salmon where it is in their interests to police, huge areas will go go unpatrolled. There is also the issue of training the Police to prosecute offenders - none of the other 120 officers in my sub division had heard of section 77 of the theft act, the part that deals with theft from water forming part of a fishery - then when the file is together, persuading the Crown that it is in the public interest to prosecute, then getting Magistrates to stop dishing out conditional discharges to theives who "Poach", not STEAL fish, yes I feel it will be a great idea. Cynical old me thinks it wont come about JUST yet!!! Well in favour of the fee for commercials though, and happy to pay more for my sport. Regards, Rich

More sites of interest, Paul, cheers Rich

Martin...................perhaps a braille link up would be an idea, help out Mikey in his blinder moments................... Welcome to our new member, have fun Rich

Hi Charlie, I am unable to compete this weekend as my boys are over from N Ireland, so there will be no crewing till the end of the month. Sorry to let the club down, hopefully the good turn out will continue. Regards, Rich

I think this was an ammendment to the construction and use regulations , Bob Rich

Adam, sorry I cant make it this weekend, my sons are flying over to start their summer stay with me on thursday, so I need to square away all outstanding work this week. Number two son is dying to get out fishing, so I'll be hoping for a few trips when they're over, see if he can catch a fish or two! Regards, Rich

Hi Dan, Bass show regularly in the race just off Hurst, nothing huge, usually in the three pound bracket, taking artificials, or small livebaits. Steam round the back of the Island onto the banks off st catherines, and you'll be into Bass on the flood tide. Off the entrance to Beaulieu River is great for small Bass also, and why not try hitting ther smoothounds off sowley boom???? Excellent sport on light gear, and well easy to catch......offer them hardbacks, crushed slightly to get the scent running........count to ten and hold on!!!!!! Regards, Rich

As long as the trailer is braked, you can go over that weight limit, but I'm not sure what the upper weight limit is for the Passat.............I'm ok towing my 1.5 tonne digger on a trailer, and my Hi lux weighs less than 2 tonnes Rich

Hardbacks crushed slightly work well too...........

In the Police we had a saying........." A pat on the back is merely reconnaisance for the knife!!!", hearing you discuss stabbing in the back. Yes its now illegal to loop your snatch line to the tow ball, it has to be secured to another point on the tow bar, its not a three pointer, is a reportable offence, so if you're stopped by an over zealous plod, you may end up before the magistrates, probably a small fine Regards, Rich...................good luck with the new boat

You are the Beast Master..................spot on James well done Rich

Guys, if anyone is easing out for an evening sesh and needs crew, I am ok for mon through thurs Rich

Guys, heres something that was mused over whilst out fishing recently.....apparently, one group of anglers who fish Alderney on a regular basis, pay their money for the trip a year in advance, buy up premium bonds, with a view to a win, then cash them in before going, giving the group a chance of recouping some cash for the trip. I think its a good idea.........how about you lot???? Rich

Cheers Adam, unfortunately the house move has GOT to come first i guess its only fair!! Rich Ps Mikey, sent an enquiry re those barrels.....ta chap

Oh Mikey..............you do make I larfffffff!!!! Rich

Adam, is my 12lb 12oz a reasonable size???? Rich

The battery will be for transport between live bait collection........on land for sandeels, the pumps have leads with decent croc clips for attatchment to existing boat battery Rich

Cheers Mikey......will check it out Rich

BB, be very cautious of using braid on a rod with a roller tip............they are very frequent jammers, fraying the braid, leading to fish and tackle loss! Regards, Rich

Thanks Newboy..........Ive tried a few batteries, and these gel pac ones are ok, and, like the ones you suggested, are cheap. I've managed to blagg a container form a river keeper I work with, picking it up on monday, next. Will bung everything together and let Adam trial it.............pensive thoughts!! Rich

Don't forget to post your results............can't get out till next week now myself Rich

Adam, the system will run from a gelpac type dry cell 12v battery, I use them for the tractor mowers, so they can start a twin cylinder diesel tractor!!! They should hold charge for a days fishing.........haven't recharged very often yet, so am unsure of memory levels in this type of battery. The unit will be totally self contained, for ease of use. The type of plastic drum I am seeking is a high impact type plastic that wont shatter when cold, or become too pliable when warm. I know that they are out there.......gamekeepers use them for small feeders for pheasants. The ones I have seen are blue in colour with a black lid. Cheers Newboy, for the offer of a bucket......I dont think they will be strong enough for this application. Adam, I'll let you try it out when its finished, hopefully later today if I can prise the container I've spotted in a mates shed out of his grasp Regards, Rich

Guys, I am nearing completion on the MK 1 well, all I need is the main container item - preferably a 25/30 litre oval or round drum with screw type lid..........Ive got the 12v airpump and stone, small bilge pump for over the side, entry and exit fittings, updraught for the inlet, and all flexi pipes..............having looked at many different designs, I am sure that the round or oval tanks offer better chance of survival, giving no corners for the bait to swim into. The addition of an airpump is for road transport, when the bilge intake can't be used, the updraught will direct even flow around the tank, not creating a vortex in the centre. I am awaiting replies from UK plastics companies re an american design that the Bass fishermen use out there, but if anyone has any ideas of local firms who may offer suitable plastic kit, let me know. Failing that, I'll order one from the States, or pick one up when we visit next month...................Bob, have you seen any designs on your world travels????? Finally, if anyone wants to trial the finished item, contact me, and please try it out, and give me feedback..............I feel that there is a market for this item, and will start producing some, of a similar design if this is successful. Regards.......Rich

Had a day out with friends off the back of the Island, started off with the feathering, bagged plenty of small joeys, then onto the banks, drifting, everyone taking fish up to about 5lbs. When the sport slowed down, we changed from long traces and livebaits, to feathers and Pirks, and the bass were falling to feathers! A few hours at anchor off Atherfield in slack brought in Tope to 18lb, a doggy, a small conger, but alas, no Ray. Then with the tide picking up very quickly, its back off the Island, closer in, to a mark not a million miles from freshwater, and found the bass in a feeding frenzy! All falling to livebaits again, the final tally was 27 fish, with plenty of small bass returned,.............but an excellent days fishing all the same. Its only seeing the bass come over the gunwalls today that I realsied the true size of my fish caught in Alderney, I suppose when you are hauling in Pollack to 14lb, Ling to 20lb, and Eels to 20lb a Bass of 12lb appears small by comparrison. But I'm still pleased she went back home............I have five fish in the freezer for forthcoming suppers!!! Rich