alun j.

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.

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.