alun j.

Good luck Rich.............. but it looks like you'll get blown off Tues., with 20+ mph. winds forecast!! I'm going to try and sneak out tomorrow....... try the Swash and across to the Patch if wind is the 5 mph N. forecast. Alun.

Thanks to Terry for the two trips out on Stingray; I love going to the Shambles in Spring .........but it's not easy fishing and these two days were both spoiled by the windy weather; even more so for Simon who brought his Raider down from High Wycombe in the traffic on Thurs, only just in time to get to the AGM, then another haul to Weymouth. He seems such an enthusiast, I hope he wasn't too disappointed by the lumpy seas and shortage of fish [ it does get ( much) better]. Castletown is a nice little slip, a bit tight but improved over last few years as the step off the concrete is now onto firm, fine shingle / grit , better than the lumpy stones of past. Not much room to leave trailers ; at the moment the beach is full of small tenders and a few wrecks. Also difficult to manhandle those heavy trailers on the steep beach. Adam........ Hope you meet up with Burnham boats on Sunday and have a good day. Have a chat with them on their launch arrangements. The member we spoke with yesterday said they'd been in touch with Portland Harbour [ or was it the Navy ?]; they will be launching at Castletown then leaving their trailers and cars in the base next door and tying up their boats there overnight in a secure compound for a very reasonable small charge. Perhaps we could do the same if we do a trailaway soon. Castletown saves a couple of miles steaming across the harbour. Enjoyed all four plaice in big family meal last night........ excellent fish , all in superb condition although a bit smaller than expected / hoped for ! Postscript to other post............ I also had a ' turbot rig ' out all day yesterday without a bite......... using fresh launce and smelly mackerel ; all untouched. Squid on with the worms seemed to make a big difference, but spoons didn't ! Weighted beads beat the spoons 7 - 1 . Alun.

One 'sleepy' bass ......... just slid into the boat...........either too cold or too murky to be aware of surroundings............ other two reminded me of the 'feisty' bass who snatch and run............ although only ' pounders' , on light gear and bream rods they scrapped [ a bit]...........wiggle/ wiggle !! Hope for something bigger on Thurs / Fri. ............ Weymouth ?? Alun.

First day of holiday........ just had to get out today..... ........mostly sunny......but much, much windier than forecast ! NW., so quite sheltered at Mudeford..........and a late start so that there would be some water. 10.30 and with the tide pouring in through the Run, it wasn't hard getting out.......but still shallow [ 0.8 m on the Bar ]. Interesting to see the water temp reading fall , from just under 8 to little over 6 near the Ledge. Rounding Hengist.....bang into the wind.....fresh ,, top of 4, but not much swell, so tried over towards Southbourne...... first a drift , but going too fast with the wind, and found a few snags , so tried anchoring [ now up at the lookout ].... nothing for an hour so moved to familiar spot near Ledge as tide was easing a bit... nothing for another hour and the wind was increasing further [ good 5 now ]. Looking for a more peaceful spot , I came back round near Mudeford beachhuts and explored a bit with the sounder.......looks pretty rough at the top end towards the Head and proved with the loss of a few hooks. Further out, and back towards the entrance, I saw the temp. was now showing the 'magic' 8 C; so I dropped anchor in just over 4 m of water and put worms out on one and limpet on the other . Within 30 mins...... 3 fish ............ small bass around the pound size; too small to keep , all lip - hooked , easy to return and in good condition; 2 to worm, 1 on limpet. Wind still blowing and not wanting to run the gauntlet of the ebb on the Bar, made a quick return at 3. Sunshine made the trip enjoyable and those little bass hopefully herald the imminent return of Spring ........ but it really needs to get a bit warmer first ! Alun.

And a bit warmer still today................ BUT .......... venture out and temp. drops steadily............ only just over 6 C out in the bay. I came back into Christchurch Bay and found it was just up to the 'magic' 8 C this afternoon ............. see Catch Report ! Alun.

It will get better through Spring and into Summer; as the bank near the yellow buoy grows......... it keeps the water more into a channel that then cuts its way through a bit deeper ......... we all hope !! Alun.

4 pm. yesterday a small sailing cruiser found that bar as he tried to get out on the falling tide........and going the wrong side of that yellow buoy. The wind and waves slowly bumped him along , and 20 mins later , he got back in the ' channel' and crept out , bouncing over the waves ......... but there didn't seem to be much swell further out..... ......... nor this morning , as I drove past Branksome Chine, on my way to dig some worms ....... for when I can get out later this week [ ???????] Back to the Bar at Mudeford....... the sand that got washed away through the winter is starting to return......... you can see that on these photos. On the last big tides, two weeks ago, the area was completely flat at LW., with areas of hard gravel level with sand. Now , the bank is building close to that first yellow buoy; but it still looks tricky between the next two. If I go out tomorrow, it'll be much later than these photos show, to be sure of water. Alun.

Adam, Hope you have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY ..... at least the sun is shining, even if it is a bit blowy....... Spring is in the air. Good to see there are no jokes and jibes about the date........... never have I seen such a wise head on such young shoulders ......... [ I think you must have been around before !! ?? ] Have a good one ......... we'll all be able to get out soon. Cheers, Alun.

......such control ............ Could be Mon. or Tues. ??????????????? I'll dig some worms this weekend............ just in case. Alun.

Anyone want to go out Mon.?........ looks like gentle N.W to W. breeze. Biggish tide and probable swells ; would the Swash be a possibility for plaice ....... or inside the harbour? Failing other offers, I'll try the flooding tide at Mudeford [bass ??] if the Ledge is too heavie-ho !! I'll have to get out as soon as wind drops. Adam........ are you looking at next weekend 8 / 9 th. or the following one, which is Easter [ bet they haven't got a clue for weather in two weeks ahead!]. Alun.

.......but.........a hint it may turn to the north and calm down in the week after !!; even if it does turn a bit colder again !!! Can you believe anything beyond 3 days?? Well, Terry, Paul and me will be having our fingers crossed. Two advantages could be : 1 . more fish there with undisturbed feeding during rough weather. 2 . warmer wind causing waves and more mixing probably warms the water faster than Spring sunshine [ followed by chilly nights] Alun.

Ditto.......... ...... some of those 'fish' - echo s are far from fish ! lobster pots throw up big, big 'fish' symbols...... .......seaweed can be good as well......... when I last fished the 'blocks' out of Portsmouth....... every drift showed 'fish' behind the lumps on the bottom, ... mais non !!........... weed !! ............. but don't you just love these cocky fellas ??? Alun.

It can work! Paypal is owned / operated by ebay.......... and they do work with credit card companies. Last year I Paypal..ed for a couple of reels from the US.......... and they never arrived; the seller emailed me copies of his posting and customs forms and I forwarded them to my credit card. I received an instant refund on my credit account......... but a week later got rude emails from seller because Paypal had taken the money off him !! .. he was right shitty with me !! Five months later the reels were returned to him ......... so a fault in the post somewhere . As a gesture of goodwill, I shared the post costs with seller and harmony was restored. This has been the only hiccup in my ebay experience....... but was glad I used my credit card, with their 'built - in' insurance

Duncan, TLD 15 is similar in size to Abu 7000 but a bit meatier. Alun.

As a change from Abu reels....... I have a brand new Shimano Lever Drag TLD 15 for sale; in its box with lube, papers etc.

Sounds like a loving family......??

Are we going fishing ?? ........... ........or a binge cruise !! ? Sorry lads...........I suppose you'll have have travelled a fair distance ! Let's hope for a good day ........ so it all stays down. Alun.

Can I join you ?? Alun.

Sam, Would that be year 12 or 13 ?? After Year 12 summer ...into 13 shouldn't be more than the usual 6 weeks !! After AS exams, don't you go back to start A2 courses ?? Work .. v. fishing .?.........a battle never won ! Alun. [ Sir. !!!]

Allan......... Apologies for spelling [ just followed Martin's post ]. I , too, get alternative spellings !! Alun.

Hi Alan, I fish out of Mudeford pretty regularly [ as weather allows] ; I'm one of the tiddlers [ boat -wise] in my little Orkney 4 40, but get plenty of fish in the Ledge area. I know your boat well and have often seen it out , about and whizzing past me. I look forward to meeting there , or at club meetings. If ever you are looking for crew......... I'm available weekends and school hols . [until I escpe / retire ...... over next few years hopefully]. Alun.

I'd be keen to go if it fitted in with school holidays....... ..... otherwise I'll have to wait a few years for retirement [ now it looks impossible this year ......... sob, sob !]. Alun

Anyone want crew for this weekend ......... ....... or the next ?? Alun.

Thanks Tom, Isn't that 'Mothers Day' ?? Lots of ........understanding partners then ? Alun.

With the postponement of the Burnham trip to the distant future, next action probably focuses on Shambles / Weymouth. My fishing mate in Weymouth is out of action [ small babies / broken boat / little time ] My boat is too small for all but the calmest of days......... SO.......... If anyone fancies a trip and needs crew [ I'll get the bait and share costs], then give me a call / PM. Any weekend day or any date in first two weeks of April [ hols.] will be poss. Fingers crossed for a plaice '/ turbot / brill. Alun.