alun j.

It would be an almost impossible task .........akin to building sandcastles between the tidelines. It's the Bar that's the problem.......the shallows beyond the Run. I went for a walk there at LW on Mon. afternoon; with these big Spring tides , you could walk right out beyond the last yellow buoy and see the 'Outer' red buoy splashing about in the shallow surf. The river now cuts a much straighter route to the sea, with a sharp right turn at the second yellow due to the new gravel piled up in front of Avon beach....but it's hardly a 'channel'. just a bit deeper. The whole area is mostly loose gravel and cobbles , with very little sand. Nothing to bind it together, it's quite soft to walk on ..... so must get pushed about by the waves. If a deeper channel was excavated, surely the gravel would slide back in the 'hole' and/or get filled in come the next blow. As for Southbourne losing its' new sand, it hasn't come east! Recent news showed the efforts Christchurch council were doing at Highcliffe to repair the beach near the groynes. Sand washed away had exposed the old wooden beach defenses from the '60s. Alun.

Rich, I've PM 'd you my home no.; give me a call. I tried your mob. no. I've got ...... but it's dead; have you got a new one? Alun.

Yes.......Wedger......I take it back! ......but they don't look very real........and there aren't many folk there! I scrolled across to the beach.........and only a few in the sun!! When was that image 'captured'??, Sept....mid-week, or 7 am ?? I then went across to Southampton High St., again only a few bods!...not shopping time methinks! Where I live, it's just a grey fuzz, you wouldn't see a tank parked outside! If you go west........there are clouds on the pics. and resolution is limited to fields. There's a long way to go before they can keep an eye on Jack! Alun.

The odd thing about Google Earth is that you never see any people, even in densely populated areas; parked cars, moving boats etc. but never any bodies. Is this done with computers, Tippex or via Duncan's photo system ?? So I can't see that you'd be able to keep an eye on anyone Alun.

Rich, You're welcome ! When will you know for def.? I'll be going about 7.30 from Lym [unless the forecast changes again????; at the mo, it could be anything from WSW through S to East ( BBC ) depending on site!!]. I've got freshly dug worms but only a bit of manky squid and mackeral [done a few trips im/out of the freezer! ] Alun.

Would anyone like to join me tomorrow?? Weather looks promising [a bit of sun ??] but , as usual, wind forecasts are all over the place. Lymington gives access to somewhere not too exposed and with water temp close to 9 C [ in Feb.!!] there is some chance of a bass. First spot also has some fair size conger [if you like] that I will try to avoid ! Alun.

I thought Duncan won the Jan prize rod for his big conger. .....mentioned at last club meeting. Alun.

I'm an 'Old One' here...... so am not worrying ......yet! Passed my test in 1970 ......... and am still on a tatty bit of paper [of various colours]. Similar thing happened at work a few years ago ........ re driving school minibus. Old gits OK ! ......... younger things disallowed! Alun.

Yeh!, We saw that swell up on the Shingles....... huge breaking waves , running miles..... from the Bridge almost to Hurst.......... and again around the Needles, filling the spaces between the white rocks with white surf !! Last time out we came back through that gap. Are the yellow buoys still on the deepest water over the Bar ?? Alun.

PJ, What's the Run like ?? I was out for a walk at lunchtime and saw the swell breaking on the Bar , even though the sea was flat. I'm hoping to go out Tues or Wed [ confused forecasts again !]..... but have just dug worms in case I'm confined to harbour or Solent. Half term week...... so have to get out. Alun.

Not quite the weather they forecast [ Is it ever ??]; but very pleasant few hours in Totland Bay. The fishing didn't match the last trip , two weeks ago, but there was still plenty of action to keep us busy [ esp. when you try to make tea / cook up a bacon buttie !]. As you'd expect in Feb, most of the action came from doggies...... some of these were big enough for the fish box [ and culinary skills will be put to the test early next week]. The whiting, pout and conger were all small stuff , but added a bit of variety Enticer, close by, seemed to have similar action and picked up a spotted ray [ skate?]. Any more , after we left , Gordon ?? I took a few photos. of Enticer........ I'll try to attach...!! Alun.

Hi Gordon, Do you mean tomorrow? Big tide !! If I had more confidence, I'd Cod-park it; but with the disappointing score out there and the flow [ only a short slack for you eel - chasers ], I think we might do better in the Solent. Last time out [and that was a big Spring], we found a spot with a decent drop - off into about 15 m. where the tide was much easier [ esp. on the ebb ]. Apart from the bass I had, there were pollack as well as the usual biters. Also, look at the water temp.; at over 8C, it tickles my bass antennae! The fish I had two weeks ago was feeding [ stomach contents] , so there could be others about ........and possibly they [ or some of them??] stay through the winter. Hope to see you out there...... give us a call, Alun.

Gordon H. is out with me tomorrow........ but I'm free on Tues. { it could still be calm then !!}.....you're welcome to join me, if you can 'flex' a day?? Alun.

Gastronaught will be out early tomorrow from Lymo. ....... and again, probably, on Tues. Alun.

And more likely to survive than most of the wrasse hauled up! In the kitchen............ pretty much in the same league..... only the chub is easier to prepare! Alun.

Well done Dan ........ a cracking fish.......from a murky looking river at the moment! A good bend in the rod....then no doubt you slipped it back. Now........what would I do with that in the kitchen dept.? Alun. No joke............ I regularly used to take chub from the R. Wye and turn them into fish suppers ......... a bit bony though! Because.......... as a teenager, on holiday in Germany, I got one , well over 6 lb. from the Danube and took it back to the Gasthaus where we were staying.... and the chef dished it up for us with a superb buttery sauce..... it went down a treat!

I think I must have gone to a higher floor ....... ........ the Emotional Dept. ........

Adam, Have a word with Simon [ britboard ] ; he did have some S/S props [ from ebay]. Never know your luck on sizes !! Alun.

Paul, Those 3 central rollers take nearly all the weight but they do make it a bit more difficult to get the boat on straight. THe rollers do pull it in , but without adjustment, it will roll to the edge or half off the end roller. If there is any different design, try and get a nice deep V roller that will hold the keel strip in. Alun.

Hi Rich, Hopefully YES..........weather permitting. I'm afraid Gordon H. has got in first for the weekend trip...... but would you like to do a trip midweek next week , during half-term ?? Alun.

I'll look forward to it.......fingers crossed for good weather. Simon ....... are we still on for it.....on the same outline as you suggested last year?? Alun.

Same scenario again!!.........I'm at work !! Roll on 'Early Retirement'....... then I'll be able to join you on these 'Mid-week' trips! Have a good day!! Alun.

Obviously !!............. I've just seen all the pics. ...........with a 5 20. I'm sure you'll find it much easier Paul........Good luck with the brakes! Alun.

Looks a BIT like mine.........but a lot lighter!! There's no keel rollers down the middle...... all the weight will be taken on the rollers??......Is that OK ? Alun.

Having missed the opportunity last weekend, I'll have to get out next week or I'll start twitching! This coming weekend could be nice if you look at Metcheck. There are big Spring tides for a few days and the mild weather is set to continue, keeping sea temps. above the 'critical' 8 C. I hope to go dig some 'snakes' on Sat. and go out early Sun. or Mon. and see if there are any more of those winter bass about. Anyone like to join me? Alun.