alun j.

Trev, You're right......... not put a fly over pond trout for many years; but have caught a few in the Test which have varied up ones that scrap as good as browns. Must try some of yours sometime. ?? Alun.

Many thanks to Rich for the invite onto a beautiful stretch of water. It was great to get out in the sunshine and catch a few fish to break the February 'drought'. I was surprised how many we caught in the freezing cold water ........ but it was mostly the Arctic species of trout and grayling. Shame I couldn't track down a perch ......... but hooked into lots of wild trout in trying..... none of those flabby , round-finned , farm rainbows here ... just spotted browns of all sizes ............ I had two that were bigger than the pike James pulled out........ and Rich had an even bigger one. Grayling were fun, fishing float with a 4 - weight fly rod ....... with a few bigger ones amongst the livebait catch. Les ......... you didn't take the pike............ so now I'll have to try one or two of those French recipes for ' brochet ' [ quenelles est possible !]. ; grayling are just like trout. Bon appetit ........ cheers Rich, Alun.

Rich, I'll be there; I found the High Post crossroads on the OS map. Point me to the perch pool. Alun.

Kam, I have a folding dodger on my 4 40..... this is like a collapsable cuddy. Most of the time I have it folded down, then I have an open boat with access all around , for lines out in more directions !!... and easy access to anchor and warp. If the wind gets up or if it's cold [ and you still want to stay out ] , then up comes the dodger for cuddy-like protection [ but it is small..... as are cuddies on 4 40 s]. Anyway, you'll see when you come and have a go. I like the arrangement and will probably opt for same on new, bigger boat. Alun.

Or venture a bit further.......... ' Ship in Distress ' ....... Stanpit [ Chhristchurch ] Super pub / restaurant.......... small, busy, quality. Alun.

Will Burnham have enough 'buddies' ? PBSBAC has grown ! Alun.

Kam, Whenever you like !! Decide how you want to use the trip......... ..... if you want to come out and have a fish....... then wait till things warm up a bit; ..... if you want to have a whizz about and see how she goes single-handed and two up; launch / retrieve etc. ........ then anytime it's not too rough or cold Have a think and I'll probably catch up with you Sat. [ on the river ] ?? Alun.

Kam, How about sometime over Easter [ first two weeks of April , I'm on hols. ] ? Or later if you want to catch a few fish { bream ?}. Alun.

Terry, Boast !!....... moi !! Just enjoy my food......... esp. when most ingredients are caught and / or grown locally. And we are so lucky 'cause there are so many beautiful & tasty fish out there for 10 months of the year Alun.

Welcome Mike, Don't believe Tom and / or Jack ............ there's loads of fish to catch out there, except for Feb .. early March. My freezer and guests dinner plates testify to lots of edible lovelies !! Alun.

Hi Kam, If interested, I can show you all the pros. / cons. of an Orkney 4 40. I've had one from new for the last 4 years...... and she's a joy for single - handed fishing [ all the points you mentioned ]. I'm doing more fishing with others [ this is cramped and slow ] , so I'm going the opposite way to you.......... and looking to go bigger , later this year. Come for a spin out of Mudeford when it warms up a bit and see if it suits. Cheers, Alun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ........ Duncan Enjoy the rest of the day and take the opportunity to extend celebs. through the weekend. Well done on boiler repair ....... don't they always go wrong in the coldest weather? Shame your day is during the worst time of the year [ fish-wise ] ...... unless you can get away ?? Tight lines [ soon ??] Alun.

So desperate for a fish ....... I'd do Sat. & Sun. !! Count me in for whenever we can go. See you Thurs. Alun.

I've not seen any of these !............ ....... too busy fishing, cooking, or reading posts on this site.... ......[ or sometimes working !] .... ....+ ... I don't have the [ Sky ??] channels. Alun.

Hi Paul, Keep an eye on the anodes; I trail mine and am surprised at how fast they get pitted. Perhaps I'm in and out of the water more than yours........... but mine get changed with each year's service [whether I ak or not !]. Alun.

Bob, When Martin does this sort of thing........ .... he manages to correct / unscramble posts ............ .......as soon as they 'bounce back' !! Alun.

Paul, Just a query re. '3 year servicing'....... Do you have to still change things......eg. gear oil, plugs , anodes ?? Alun.

Confused at first........... but found it after playing the other !! I agree with Paul......... what sort of Coast 'GUARD' are they ?? and that cameraman was remiss in not shouting to the helm. Are their 'Rules of the road' different to ours ?? On that tack, Coastguard boat should give way. Perhaps other [ unseen] events were happening......... even so , easing back would have prevented this. Alun.

Further to last post................ Lee has got back to me and said he would post to club members for free. Also check out his site http://www.direct-angling.com Alun. admin edit-made link live

Yes, ' Fatboy ' ; aka LEE........ nice bloke; persuasive salesman ; always willing to help. Paul , all rods same price , postage depends on number [ but mad on one rod ] Tried the chap in New Milton [ who might be your Lymington trader ] but he didn't have any stock when I enquired [ in the New Year ]. Back to Lee........... find him on ebay and see he's started an online tackle store. Limited range at present, but growing steadily ....... with good prices .. eg. check out the link swivels .......... I just got a bag of 100 with my rods.. nice big ones! Alun.

I have just replaced my solid C rod , that ' jumped ' over the side of Neo. I went back to the previous supplier from ebay and got a good price by buying one for Paul F. at the same time and saved postage. .. just over

Nice one Tom, shame some of us have to work !! If they want to try the Shambles during the first two weeks of April [ just before Easter ], I'm on holiday, the weather will be good, and there might be a few plaice and turbot to be had ............. and I'd love to go. Would they steam from Poole ? How long a trip would that be ?? Alun.

Hi Rich, Sat. or Sun. ?? Can you count me in please ? Alun.

Gordon, All good advice [as always on this site ! ] As a good starting point , for stocked rainbows in a pond, I've often found an ORANGE fly gets many takes; something like a 'whisky' fly. Retieved in short pulls and fished a lot deeper in the Spring , when the water is colder. If fish are showing, a nymph can work well, fished very slowly. See you tomorrow ......... if we can find the place !! Alun.

Steve, Where was this ?? Looks like turning wet & windy so unlikely to get a go at them ; unless you were in the harbour. Could the echos be shoals of sprats ?? I've found that even tiddlers can give relections on my little Garmin Fishfinder. Alun.