alun j.

It was slow, cool breeze and mostly misty...... with a few tantalising glipses of warm[er] sunshine. Net result...... 4 bites, two plaice.....each just over a lb....and fit enough for tomorrow's supper! Alun.

Yep !!, I'm out.......but heading East, in search of early plaice! Not confident....but been told they've been catching them in the E.Solent; I hope the odd one is fat enough for the pan! ........but I will be 'conservation-minded'! Alun.

Typo..........discernible !!

We launched OotB into the fog just after 8 and felt our way out of Poole with the help of GPS. 2 miles down the Swash and a glowing ball was decernable through the gloom; this quickly brightened and , just before the mark, all cleared to leave that wintery sunshine that softens all views in romantic light. Nothing soft about the tide.....lots of lead to hold bottom....so not much sport from the whiting .....for an hour or so .........about the same time it takes a cold gas cylinder and a dodgy stove to boil a kettle and fry an egg! With a slackeneing tide, action increased [ hectic??] [ Busy ..!], good to see plenty of whiting..........better if twice the size and half as many! Lots carefully returned........a few kept for the pot! Slack water......action slowed....and the ebb didn't recover earlier action..... but great to get out on such a lovely day Early return, easy retrieve [ plenty of water still], and home in the light!! [ first for months!!]. Thanks Adam for a most enjoyable day out.... .....here comes Spring!! Alun.

Well done Rob,........worth sticking it out on such a nice day. Weather might be a bit murkier tomorrow.......but I'll be out .........heard there are a few late cod about too !! Will report back later, Alun.

OOpps.........typo.......'I splashed out' !! ; no knives involved!

Yeh, What got me was the confidence beforehand!! .......which then evaporated in 30 secs. .....to be replaced with 'I'll be OK after I throw-up' [not!]. One of a number of lessons he learned yesterday! Alun. PS With newby on board.........I slashed out and bought 2 new lifejackets [ with crutchstraps].

Martin, Far from it !! As soon as we were under way [back home], he perked up.... and, before the end of the Swash, was talking about next trip and taking necessary steps to avoid repeating the mal-de-mer! We could have a new member soon! Alun.

.......because the whiting are still here! With promise of a weather window, and the forecast NW dropping out in the afternoon, I took a keen [ newby!] friend out to find a few fish. Well, it stayed breezy and a bit lumpy in the tide.......but the fish are still there! Six good size keepers [ to 3 lbs.] in a couple of hours whilst my crew went a strange colour and 'decorated' the side of the boat!! So it was an early [er ] return to a gorgeous sunset......the calm came a bit late!! No 'bonus' fish today.......just a bonus result at this time of year! Alun. PS that red trawler is still going round and round.......so there must be fish out there!! ???

Any date, any space as crew [ and cook !] ......add my name to a list... able to go at any time. Alun.

Coming weekend still looks hopeful! Alun.

Jack, It weighs less than your average fisherman! The barrel is strapped down and the water temds to stay in the barrel [ not much 'slops around'] ! Alun.

Happy Birthday Paul, Have a good day ......away from home??....how were the treats at La Gavroche?? Catch up later in the week if you can't make Thurs. Birthday Cheers !!, Alun.

All forecasts point to a little one on Weds. .....between tomorrow's blow and the next on Thurs! I got a call from a potential [ keen] new recruit wanting a trip and a little advice. Not sure a cool , slow [and probably 'swell'] day in early Feb. is the best time to get a 'newby' keen to continue..........but he seemed happy to go out and even not - catch!!......don't think I am!! I'll wait to see what forecast shows at this time tomorrow! Alun.

If anyone is fortunate to get an offer of a trip on Alfresco from Charlie, you'll be assured of a great [ White ] day out! What a fantastic fishing platform and super comfy cabin......I couldn't believe how smooth the ride back in was in a pretty snotty sea.....and once back in the calm, I didn't have time to clean all the catch [ so fast!!] and nearly missed 2 or 3 whiting! We didn't see anything coming in on the Charters [ and we did have time to stand and stare!].....but surely they must have had the same size little whiting we found. Top angler yesterday went to Dan, who enticed the better whiting onto one of my ex- Uptiding rods.......and showed patience, focus and perseverence in poor conditions...... quite exceptional in lads of his age!! Well done, Dan! Bonus fish of the day were both enjoyed in Gastronaught's kitchen later that evening............the brill was!, and the dab was better! Thanks again Charlie for the most enjoyable day! Alun.

Looks like it may allow a couple of trips for some of us!! Whacking big tide running.......and will there be any fish to go for? Massive change through this past week :- ....Mon. ...loads of fish of all sizes; ..Weds ...loads of fish , but mostly small; ...Sat. ....slow fishing with just the odd bigger one. Next week?????? Whatever.... if the weather's nice, I'll be out giving it a try. If anyone's looking for crew........give me a call or PM ...or I'll take mine out ......if calm enough. Alun.

Just got in.........so I'll catch - up with late[ish] birthday wishes. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tom. Do you get tomorrow off....to unwind?? Alun.

Thanks Charlie, Just say what time and where. I can give PJ a lift. Alun.

Shame it's a workday........ Shame the weather's so bad........ Shame the fish have almost gone...... BUT........it's still a special day!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Martin !! Hope you have a great day and lots of ways to enjoy yourself. Alun. PS . Is AWOL all fixed ??

You're right Dunc., .......and just like two of the past three 'windows'. Last Monday was the nice 'big' one we'd all like to see more often.... flat calm and fish filled. Fingers crossed for Sat., I think ther should be a bit of Feb sunshine to brighten the day. Alun.

Yep PJ., Confirm tomorrow.......looks cold but with only a little tide, we should be cosy with the dodger up! I might have to bring an extra flask of something warm......... but if action is as hectic as recently, you have to reel in to take a break!!

I'm not going so early !! Maybe it will get up to close to 0 C.. ...put hands in sea to warm them up a bit!!

Sat. weather window still looking fishable!

Lovely sunny day today, and not too cold [yet??]. Variation in the forecasts [what's new??], but most giving NW dropping and going W later in day [ wrong!] Rich had Warren all ready and off down the harbour we went in pursuit of Barfleur and into the [warming] sunshine. All calm in the Swash, so out to previously succesful whiting mark, East of Ballard\Swanage. Only a little tide running, so light leads deployed and only mins. sees us into first fish........and bang - on Target species........only trouble......about a pound too small! Fish every drop [ despite that little red trawler right up our warp!].... but getting smaller and smaller. Loads went back unscathed but 11 o'clock and not a keeper [ trawler had done two more circuits......out towards the Needles and back over the Dolphins......inshore to the Patch.....and back to us ]. Despite the breeze, we felt the need to move........so ventured further out..but kept the same gulls in attendance [ the same oiled bird we saw on Mon.]. Bingo!! Amongst the small whiting , we , at last, found a few better fish. The wind picked up a bit and a few white horses were dancing.......but with the small tide...we sat in them fairly comfortably ......but this was new territory for Rich and Warren...but he seemed to be enjoying the whiting hauling and escape from the office!!?? As mentioned earlier this week....... many bites were finnicky and hard to hit. Lift and drop of bait often helped but many fish slipped off. One that didn't, turned out to be a much better fish!! This was no whiting........and the hard pull was familiar as Mr Spikey!!...Yes , another bass!; not huge......but a fat 3 + lber! that topped my day. Thanks again Rich for a most enjoyable day in the sun. Despite the rolling about, a succesful haul with some more plump whiting........and proof of what grand little boats the Orkneys are! If I get out on Sat., I reckon it probably will be the last of the winter's whiting...and the start of the seasonal lay-up Alun.

PJ, We'll keep our eyes on the weather [looks to turn cold!!] and confirm Fri. Alun.