alun j.

Good to have you onboard Peter..... but you flatter too much !! The 'score' .... was down to luck, me using 2 rods to your 1 and a little bit of guess work [ in thinking when to change bait]; I've been in the reverse positon [recently!!]. Experience has helped to find the drift lines .... but as you saw, changes in wind and tide make every one different!! Give me a call if you fancy doing it again .... but don't know if we have many more settled w.ends left this season?? Cheers, Alun.

I watched this ..... incredulous!!! As Tom says.... How did this stuff get through; it was MUCH worse than that BBC docu that was on donkeys years ago, called 'The Shooting Party' about the 'Toffs' that went boat fishing and ended up shooting seagulls......... and that got hammered! It started off on the theme of subsistence \ survival of people catching fish for the table .......went on to discuss culling 'pest' species then went downhill fast with use of the gaff....... No nets or T-bars used. Perhaps someone needs to be fed to the sharks?? No mention of their being endangered \ threatened species. 'Extreme viewing' might be a better title......... or extreme catching, extreme behaviour......or extreme[ly] upsetting !! Some nice scenery though.........or am I just missing the Sun too much? Alun.

Happy Birthday Rich......... ....hope you're having a good day, despite the pouring rain!! Don't work too hard, Alun.

Typical 'office day'............8 'til late !! FPO away.....return dependent on weather\catchrate etc !! Alun.

At last........a [temporary] break in the weather, .........so it looks like the 'office' could be open tomorrow and I will be able to go back to 'work' !! A spare seat at the Gastronaught 'desk' for other 'workaholic' ? 'Office targets' could switch to Triggers if the mackerel 'cashflow' has been interrupted by recent downturn in the weather markets. 'Business confidence' is not high with all the recent turbulence in the marketplace and lack of direction in the tidal flows! Interested applicants.... please apply through the usual channels ...no guarantees. Alun.

now looking a bit more possible for Sunday [???] .........and even better for Mon. !!

John, if you are Christchurch based, consider how much you are likely to use facilities.... I buy an annual car park season ticket; as a local, this costs a bit over

I don't think BBC is very accurate either though!

One day closer.........and it's looking all different again!! Weather window seems [ in most forecasts] to be disappearing or moving on to a later day.......just 'Windfinder' still calling a calm Northerly. Wonder what they'll say come tomorrow?? Alun.

Looks like Sunday 7th may be a weather window.....well!, from this distance; let's hope it holds......I'll be in. Alun.

Yes.....off-putting........must be some natural, defence response!! I always cut out a fair chunk around encysted worms in cod \ whiting; never seen them in macks! Further research........... some of those roundworms can infect [but there are medicines!] ..... many are 'digested'. As they are easy to see........cut out and cook ...or reject[on a little mackerel]. 'Possible' risk.......... wouldn't stop me enjoying sashimi etc. .....nor bacteria in oysters, scallops, cockles etc. Alun.

link comes up.............but is blank!

Yep !! Nematode worms [often found in bottom feeders like cod, whiting, dogfish and gurnard]. Definitely.....cooking will kill these and fish will be perfectly fine. Not sure if you ate the fish raw [ sashimi style]! You would see them in prepping and reject fish. I know there are some worms you can pick up from raw fish but these are mostly the tapeworms [ different Phylum]. I would think your digestive system would kill them [Nematodes] as the environment in fish is very different to mammals and their life cycles are tuned to passing through fish hosts and their invertebrate food. Lastly, I don't think they are common in mackerel....... I've filleted loads this 'Summer' and not seen them........but have in the cod and whiting earlier. Alun.

pan-fried fillets with pesto and tomato .... is nice with this well-flavoured firm fish!

smoked mackerel starter....... teryaki bass with prawns 5 guests..........no complaints!! lots of wine....so feeling tired now!

What a difference a day makes!! Today........straight into the mackerel! First drift two bass; better one goes 6lb. 8. Another on the next drift......then all goes quiet as the tide dies. A different 'zone' for the ebb and pick up two more but by now boat traffic is busy .....where are they all going?? Is there an airshow?? by 2pm, when we pack up to catch the tide, we've seen just one plane....and he seemed to be over the wrong beach! Great morning, super calm weather and good company. Poor Rich, kept trying but no takes!!......his lively mackerel must have been deploying some 'cloaking device'!! Here's hoping Sept. brings some more days like this. Alun.

Conditions seemed ideal today.......except for those noisey planes!! Took a while to find the mackerel......then there were plenty!! Drift speed was just right.......but no bass!!....... only a few tentative plucks\mini-runs!! ; then my bait tank packed up with a broken wire [found later !]. Only thing I could think of was the water is really clear at present...... drifting in 5 metres of water and you can see the bottom clearly.... not normally like this in Christchurch!! Giving it another go in the morning.......out a bit earlier.......See if I can do better. Alun.

Well done !!, you two!! All looking shipshape, tidy and efficient! Obviously on-task and focused!! I won't be able to tempt you away with another trip for Mr. Spikey!! Alun.

I'm sure I can help out a bit...... esp. if he wants to come this end of the Bay. Adam........feel free to pass my number on to Craig. Alun.

No Paul, I think Les found your favourite bit of rock on Fri. morning!

Adam and I only managed 4 bass [ 2 each]; best went to me at 5 lb. 11 oz. Lovely morning; lots of mackerel and conditions seemed perfect.... but it was slow. ......then the wind got up, traffic increased and less peaceful! But the sun came back out to enjoy a lunchtime beer in!! A very pleasant day.......except for the speedboats! Alun.

48 hrs., starting 7pm this eve. ....... so Sun and Mon.

Well..........this is one comp. that I can fish as it's on this Sat. We have visitors for the Bank Hol. and my disappearig the day they arrive would not have been appropriate!! Thanks! Alun.

......or even Dec. !!

NO Neal !! I didn't win this one last year [which I think was the first year of it??]. I do know where there could be a couple of big ones capable of winning....and will be trying if the weather allows! On current form, I could spend half the day hunting for livelies!! Here's hoping a good double figure fish gets to win the trophy. .....whoever gets it.........good luck! Alun.