alun j.

If anyone needs parts or service for Abu reels, I've just used a chap in Wirral who was very helpful and returned my 'bit' by return. I'll pass on contact details to anyone interested. Alun.

Weather window extends into tomorrow........so where to go?? Flounders showed up today [better than expected!], so could do that again..... .....or [possibly last] whiting trip. Anyone like to join me?? Only prob............whilst it was lovely and flat in the harbour today, there was a largish swell breaking on the Bar.... with no obvious [from the shore] way through the breakers!! If they don't flatten overnight, then it'll have to be a Baiter launch! Alun.

Happy Birthday..........and a big one at that!! Congrats and celebs........if you are not in hibernation....or migration! Cheers, Alun.

I hope the BBC's call of 29mph for tues. is way-out!! I'm looking at Guru and Windfinder and they both give nice calm days for Tues and Weds.!! I'm only going in the harbour........but a calmer day is much more pleasant! Alun.

Continuing my 'researches' into Christchurch floundering, I'll be having a go this week, when everything will be different to last week.......... small tide, more [dirty] river water coming down and more wind swinging us around!! ....and having to buy worms!! Can't promise anything......but last week was good!!; anyone like to join me?? Alun.

......yes, but he still works too much, too long......with not enough fishing!! ..........unlike us proper members!!

I'm glad to see they didn't remove your sense of humour!! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Alun. ......and it'll be the low fat bacon butties now then??

Done!! Top of lube spray can fits a treat.

My simple little setup is less prone to some of the troubles recently reported here, but I fell foul of one annoying irritation today that I'll be working on to avoid repeating. When I returned to the slip today, I couldn't unlock the trailerclamp !!! Despite routine maintenance oiling the lock mechanism [ and no previous trouble], I couldn't get the key to go in the lock........what could be up ??? Looking about, there must have been another trailer next to mine [tracks in gravel, partly demolished post [recent!] etc.]; it looks like somehow some sand\grit must have got kicked\brushed against my trailer wheel and into the lock mechanism. Falling tide, I can't leave the boat long or it would be grounded........ so first I have to go and tie her off on the little jetty [ yes, I had fenders!]......not knowing how long it would take to sort. The one thing I didn't have was a can of WD40 type stuff to spray out the lock with. I set to with a pair of pliers and a fine wire size 1 hook; cut off the eye and had myself a pick! It took about 20 mins of wiggling about to get enough of the grains out to enable the key to work!! Good job today, I wasn't pushed for time! I will now be making myself a dustcover to push over for future use! Alun.

After the improvement yesterday made to my cold [being outside], I had to get out today to clear it away properly! A few calls inviting me to go towards the Needles looked attractive with the weather forecast..... but I don't like it there in the big tides.... ....so Plan A was to use the remainder of yesterday's worms and test out my local doorstep........and if the crabs were active, head out to the Ledge over the HW slack. A leisurely start, out with the comuters after 8 on a beautiful, calm, clear sunny morning..........cool but not frosty.......no one in the harbour, the place to myself! I motored about for a few mins, exploring contours of the lower harbour and tried out several places on the edge of the channel. What surprised me most was the complexity of the currents with the flooding tide pushing in and under the river water coming down........the pattern and directions changing every few mins!! I learnt a lot this morning.....esp. where not to go ..to avoid the hordes of crabs!! Well my odds and sods of wormy leftovers lasted longer than expected [ due to my crab avoidance learning!!]....... the fish came in steady succession and, by worms' end, I had 7 fat flounders in the box, with the best going 2lbs. 3oz. ; so , a very satisfying result for a few hours fishing and very little travelling!!...and Plan A never got past part one! Alun.

Took up Rich's offer of a trip on Warren today in search of flatties in the harbour. Lovely morning......calm, bright and so much warmer than recently.....just the tonic to whisk away my runny nose\thick head cold!! Up the harbour with the flooding tide to a familiar spot....but the water was very murky with churned up sediment. An hour or two here was slow, with just one to my float rig.........so a move to the other side of the channel. Equally slow at first but after using both cuppa \ sarnie and pee diversions, nothing happened until we threatened another move; this instantly prompted two bites and two better fish, both on my rods.......so now 3 - 0 ... and Rich is looking confused!! The tide changes and the ebb is pulling too hard....so move to mark 3.... another fav., ...... and the most reliable........ two more to me [ poor Rich is now looking lost!!].......then one that almost pulls Rich's float rod over and up comes the best of the day at 2lbs 8 oz. .....some sanity restored!! Despite one more move, that was it.......so back in in the light......with my cold feeling much better. If not too tired, I'll pop out tomorrow and finish off the worms .... somewhere else?? Alun.

That's a relief then!! I'm surprised it wouldn't restart and operate in'Safe ' mode to get us home. As you said, a few lessons learnt. ............and glad all is well. Alun.

Happy Birthday Peter.......... .......Have a good day despite the weather. Alun.

What a great club ........and extended group of friends\colleagues that share and support each others' interests! Thanks again to Humph. and Neal on 'Ow Much' for the comarderie...........not just the tow in but the care and support that got us back to the mooring\pontoon.... and filled us in on all the gossip\chat whilst waiting for the tide! Commiserations to Adam and Bob.........a real bummer to be let down by new equipment!.........the computer said 'No'!! ...........and we want to know 'Why?'. A few whiting were hardly any recompense..........but it had been a nice morning till then! Thanks for the trip Adam, I hope you feel recovered soon, Alun.

Happy Birthday Gordon !! A big one, I see........any special plans?? Hope you have a great day, despite the freeeeeeeeezing weather. Cheers, Alun.

Hey Charlie, it was nice and cosy yesterday!! [no wind!!]; you should have been there last Weds. .......that was chilly! What about the herrings?? ARE there any there to find? I'm looking for options for this week. Alun.

Hi Craig & Jackie.........don't worry , you'll get plenty of offers from crew with experience........... and as we go as a group of boats, you can always buddy up for safety and security. Happy New Year to you both. Alun.

After Weds.' tough day, conditions seemed ideal yesterday with light winds and gentle tides. An invitation from Adam allowed the privilage of a trip on the all new, superb fishing platform that is 'Joint Venture' !! I convinced Adam that fishing over near the Island would be much better than Weds., so we headed East....... a lovely smooth ride at 20 kts. With far fewer boats than I'd expected at the cod park, perhaps others knew something [or couldn't get out in the cold conditions!]. We settled into the first of the [gentle ] flood ....but the bites were slow coming; the pout and whiting seemed to have deserted and left the place to the dogs! A slow procession of LSD all day was only briefly punctuated with one [smallish] cod about 6 lbs and a couple of small whiting to me and a pout to Adam... what a contrast to two weeks ago on similar tides! Yesterday we'd lost the horrid East wind, so the only thing I can think of has been the sharp drop in water temp. recent weather has caused [??]. Nevertheless........it was a good day to get out; Adam & Bob's boat is superb for the job and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a cold , grey Jan day!..Thanks Adam! Next trip out.........I'll be looking for a different venue. Alun.

Nice one Mike! I pulled the plug on today.......... saving all my calories for tomorrow!! Alun.

Mick, If I'm out {most likely!}........I'll give you a shout on Ch. 6. Alun. PS Not sure if I'll be W or E of you yet.... depends on breeze!

Although cold, it looks like it might be nice and sunny tomorrow!! Just thinking I may go out for a few hours after a late..ish start ?? [probably about 10.00] I'll leave it till the morning to decide, but would anyone like a short trip out for some whiting ? ....gentle tides, light tackle Alun.

Please add my name to list of potential crew. I am flexible to any date \ time ... but, like Tom, would like to have two days on the banks.. to make it worth the long journey. A smaller tide than last year's would be good. .......but I'll happily go whenever anyone offers a trip. Alun.

Hoping it's a 'Happy New Year' for both you and 'AWOL'. Alun.

Well the morning was, with the tide pushing us round into that biting wind. When the tide changed, it settled down and was a bit more cosy [ Rob might not agree now he's been spoiled a couple of times with trips on Alfresco!!]. Fishing was well down on recent form........ could have been the sharp drop in water temp., the murky water, the abundant weed and\or the packs of dogs... with one of those sat on your bait as it tries to stuff two or three squid in and not move, how can Mrs. Cod find it?? Nevertheless........I did manage two decent whiting [2 - 2.5 lbs size]... that are just on their way to my kitchen for dinner!!... so wasn't all bad!! Better luck towards the weekend, with lighter winds [??] and smaller tides ....I wish! Alun.

Let me repeat, and ampltfy the sentiment......... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL ........have a good day and get out soon [too windy today ! ??] Little window coming up mid week....... will you be able to go catch a cod?? Alun.