alun j.

No !! I could never go that [Victorian work ethic or something that afflicts those of my age/ background!!]. Fingers crossed for an 'Early retirement' package.......esp. as am feeling increasingly redundant. Teaching has become very much a 'young person's 'career'. Alun.

I'll be there with Simon L. [ britboard] on his boat. We won't be in the convoy, I'm meeting him nearby the day before and camping overnight. I think Simon has some local knowledge as well as somewhere for us to stay. Alun.

Sorry Terry, small oversight........ in the PB dept. ! Are you getting a taste for 'conger-hauling'? Looks like it was a gorgeous day out there. I'm looking forward to being more of a 'free-agent' , to be able to sieze weather 'windows'...... sometime soon , I hope! Alun.

Good one Gordon; she looks longer than you!! .......another pb on Enticer... ..........but where's my pollack ?? !! Alun.

Just look at that oily, slick sea.............and blue sky !! ..........so envious!! Well done with those huge eels........and looks like you both enjoyed yourselves. A pity there were no pollack about........I thought this was the time for the big ones?? Looks like a windy weekend coming up..........typical !! Alun.

Sods Law !! As I look out at the perfect calm of a sunny morning and flip through websites, it looks depressingly familiar........... ........lovely all week......... then WIND sweeps in for the weekend. Adam .......... it's looking increasingly uncomfortable !! ?? Alun.

Antennae raised !! Starting blocks prepared! A.

.......as if it might stay nice.........well, ...for Sat . at least! ???? Anyone up for a trip?? I'm available to crew or be crewed ......just waiting to hear how Enticer gets on tomorrow. Alun.

Excellent picture Duncan........... reminds me of the type they turn into jigsaw puzzles [ lots of interest and colours]; perhaps one of them might be interested ?? Wow! 4 inches ?....Did you have to check the tide table before the run back down? ..........and was the beer worth the trip? Last time I went up there in the boat, I thought the food in the pub was most disappointing. Alun.

Kam, That's Wareham Quay....... from the road bridge over the R.Frome [ tidal].

.......and plenty of water then?

Tis the time for big pollack on those wrecks! I wish I could join you....but I'm 'tied in'!! Perhaps in the not too distant future [ next year ???] Have a good trip ....... and save me a fish if you get a few. [ swap for a bagful of leeks??]...... I'll happily come and collect! Alun.

Hi Duncan, We were in the Swash then, bouncing about, close in behind the Training Bank, and finding it less than comfy, cooking my Gastronaught special bacon sarnies. And following the food / coffee / pee paradigm.............that's when you get your best bites!! ...... but I wasn't expecting wrasse. I see the forecasters got it all wrong with the wind again!! Sat. was screaming and today seemed benign.....the reverse of what they had on Fri.!! Looks like some might be able to enjoy some wonderful, warm Spring sunshine later this week........but not me! Cheers, Alun.

.....could be because inshore water has reached 10 C. I've been watching the steady rise in temp as recorded by Bramblemet.co.uk over the past few weeks. It barely dipped below 8 C all winter. Alun.

Paul, Good to have you along.....to point out 'hotspots'! Don't forget to post your best wrasse in the book. Interested to see your collection of plugs......pity it was [much] too early to deploy them effectively; let's have a session with them ......one warm evening [June??]. Alun.

Typical day's fishing ......... unpredictable!! Lovely sunny start with no wind.....couldn't last !! ......and by the time PJ and me had whizzed down the Swash Channel, a fresh Westerly was getting up........ blowing us across the drifts at about 1 knt with no tide. No sign of any 'spotties' for us , or the othe drifters............ so tactic 2.....anchor close in to the bank [ and try and repeat last week's success] First spot , too far away and no action ............ so closer in..........and Bang, Bang! Not spotty, nor spikey !! ............ but Mr [ and Mrs.]Toothy !!....... a succession of medium sized wrasse provided today's action. We both had 4 or 5 fish each , with PJ topping out, with a fat one of 4 lb. 2 oz. The wind eventually got the better of us and we retreated into the harbour to try a few [fruitless] drifts in the lee of Brownsea. So different out of the wind........ so a peaceful last hour, in the shelter and sun, finished the worms with a steady stream of small fish....... pollack, bass and a small flounder. How can such a relaxing day leave me feeling so tired?? Alun.

Sat. night..........good day for a birthday! I expect you're having a riotous evening.........enjoy!! Alun.

........now why would you be doing that for Martin?? Fishing 'modifications'?? At least the weather will be good for doing 'jobs'. We'll see if it's any good for fishing? Alun.

and ........ you'd have a queue of members volunteering to crew. Alun.

Looks like PJ's joining me......... on the plaice trail! I have a secret weapon!.......... worked last time! Alun.

Work and family involvements.......... I can't even get Paul out on the weekend! .......he'll be lucky to 'look in' for a few hours to check his equipment!! Alun.

.......but still worth getting out ...... and , like last week, there should be a bit of shelter in the Swash from the Westerly wind forecast ..... and only a small tide. Anyone like a seat on Gastronaught for another crack at the early Spring plaice and try to beat last week's total [ 2 good size flatties ] ? Launching from Baiter 8 .ish , or soon after. Alun.

Hi Gordon, Did you get out and enjoy the nice day today? Alun.

Not fishing today then, Adam?? Tomorrow ?? Alun.

Well done Paul ........... I was waiting for a call! Hope you are feeling better ...... and soon get the opportunity to test her out. Looks a cracking boat, Alun.