alun j.

Looks like the weather may settle down from the middle of the coming week?? If it does [ and if I can get my boat out of the drive] , I'll be looking for those early bream [again!!]. Alun.

T'was nice out there yesterday, esp. pm ..........different story today, and all weekend!

I have a problem with April 20 th. .......booked in for family 'do' ages ago and can't change it. Alun.

Thanks to PJ for a trip out on Marineboy today. By the afternoon, it was feeling like Spring [ and much warmer than the cutting cold wind of the morning]. Plenty of fishy action on the Ledge........ but none from our 'Target' of early bream. Good promise for the upcoming 'Species' comp. with action from bullhuss, wrasse and conger as well as the expected pout and dogs. Few other boats about............but one charter did 'sit' on a bream mark all day ... with no return!! I think action will improve rapidly when the water warms up a bit..... little more than 6 C for most of the day. Weather now looks set to blow up for weekend ........but a glimmer of calm for Tues and\or Weds next week ........... hope to be there!!! Alun.

This also works well for the whiting. I tend to use bigger hooks....... size 1 or 1/0 ..... which gives more lip hooking \ fewer deep hooked fish; easier to unhook and return unharmed. On rougher ground, you certainly get fewer snag-ups with this rig .... but on smoother ground, I revert to my simple 2 hook [ Pennel-style] ledger. Alun.

I'm looking to go out Thurs.......if I can get my boat out of the drive which is being dug out ........ to see if more bream have arrived yet. I have a tray of fine worms to use; small tide and wind looks a bit lighter than of late. Anyone like to join me [for a late-ish start]? Alun.

Congrats. to the Taylors....... .....but that looks like Dom will get out fishing even less often! ...for many years! Alun.

Paul, I don't know about 'Goldrush'??.......but there seem to be a few about; I saw some on the fishmongers' slab in both Poole and Mudeford. I can't see when the weather might break........but being northerly, you could creep out a little way if you were desperate!.......but it's so cold in the windchill, it's not tempting me [ yet!]! But, I have got worms.....and waiting to go. Alun.

Hi Paul, look in 'First bream...' .......but just the one ......just under 3 lbs.

Just been back to get a look at LW spring. As Paul's photo shows, the buoys have been laid showing a much easier route out; the flow splits near the first green buoy, about half the water spills straight out and other half goes along the quay. What you don't see in Paul's photo [ 'cause it was HW] is what's at the end of the new-laid buoys. At LW you see the waves breaking on the shallow water if you continued going straight. SO.......... if you go out from Mudeford in the bottom half of the tide........prepare to go EAST at the end of the buoyed 'channel', round the yellow buoy and continue SE until you go over the Bar. On Tuesday.....when we crept out in the shallower water in the old channel, we saw one of the fishing boats going in slowly along this new route [ about 2 hrs before LW.]. Amazing how that place changes shape every year! Alun.

Mark.......lots of use, plus a few snag-ups with heavy tackle....or just a weak spotin a very small bit of metal! Charlie.....phone no. is 0845 0500093 ....helps if you have the part number of what you need. Alun.

If boaters go afloat over Easter, they are in for a shock if they motor out through Mudeford. A big island of gravel has 'grown' and restricts the Run into a very narrow channel at the end of the Quay!........right by the end groyne. This gravel island\bank is well proud at HW and to someone coming down the Run looks like the big bar that was there last year and might tempt the uninformed to turn right [and end up on the shallow gravel!] I'll have to go and have a look at LW. The channel has not been buoyed for the summer yet and just has the two yellow buoys...you wont see these until you clear the big mound! Alun. PS. this Gordon quite a shock yesterday.......he asked if they dredge it out?? I don't think they do.

Mike.......... Come and have a fish out on a 520......... then try some of the other boats club members offer. You'll soon see the + and - points of each. It all comes down to the type and frequency of your trips. Adam's summary is about as concise as you could be....... I love the ease of use of my 520 ... and only occasionally want something bigger! Alun.

Despite the chilly conditions, it was great to get out today. Loads of action with pout and dogs but best sight was first bream of 2008 for me, a lively blue boy bream, just under 3 lbs. Gordon got himself a conger and we both had a bull huss..... .....could be good practice for upcoming species comp.?? Thanks again Gordon for the trip out and the onboard catering.....weather and fishing will soon improve. Alun.

I've got some dark blue Orkney colour if that's any help. Alun.

After two years heavy use, the rachet on my 7000 NLD 'popped'. Quick dissemble [ easy reels to take apart]; I found the ratchet pawl had broken. A phone call call to Pure Fishing in Crewe gets the respone... ' just put an s.a.e. in the post! and new part returned 'with compliments'! I say 'Complements' to Service Dept at Pure Fishing..........again! ; as they done this several times with screws, springs, circlips etc......... ....and complements to Abu reels for being so easy to work on. Alun.

Love to go......crew or be crewed, Alun.

Yes........... Tues. or Weds. Count me in Gordon .......or if anyone else wants to go , we could take both. Give me a call when weather forecast looks OK. Alun.

I'll definitely go ...... with Gastronaut ... or on another. Good trip. Alun.

Having been away for three weeks, it will be nice to get back out on the water. Thought I'd go and give a [short] trip out when wind eases and I've caught up a bit in the garden. Anyone like to join me Weds. [ not too early!]?? Alun.

Isn't this the time of year we've trailed up to Burnham? Are there any plans for 2008 ? Alun.

I recently won this superb, big beast of a reel .... but I can't see myself ever using it as I don't go in search of conger, sharks or tuna! If any of you would like a quality, big reel to add to your tackle box, make me an offer for this brand new reel, in box with all the bits etc. I see that they sell for

Happy Birthday Duncan..........have a good day [dreaming of fishing??]; though I'm sure you'll celebrate more purposefully. ATB., Alun.

Breaded fillets fried in olive oil with garlic ; gaspacho sauce. ........goes well with some warm sunshine. I'll be in the sun further east and south....... for nearly 3 weeks! Have a good trip Gordon, Alun.

I have some worms left from my plaice trip on Weds..... .....so I thought I might [???] go and use them up on Sunday morning for a few hours over the high water. Not sure where to go though.........????......depends on the breeze. Alun.