alun j.

Hi Adam , Did you stick a thermometer in the river?? Bet it was cold as well as being much clearer than of late . The river water tumbling out of Christchurch harbour was only just above freezing this am., plus remains of snow / ice on margins. You did well to catch anything !! Did the afternoon sun thaw you out; what aspect was your swim facing ?? Could have been pleasant/ sun trap ??.......unlike at sea! Alun.

I've been stocking up with a selection of line [ braid and mono. ] bought through ebay. Be careful..... know a sensible price [incl. p&p.] and you can get what you want at around 1/2 price ! eg. 300 yds. whiplash / fireline...... around

Not at all Spring - like yet !! ..... possibly the coldest day I've been out this winter, due to that windchill..... force 4 N...... 3-4 C feels like -4 C ! Water temp. at its lowest....... 1.4 C at Mudeford 9am.,,,,,,,, out in the bay , just above or below 5 C.... [ this is the 'surface water' ..... about 1/2 m. down where the sensor is] ....... coldest I've recorded all winter Out all day.......escaping the chores ..... tried 4 marks...... with similar lack of success: * Ledge - doggies.....slow but steady........dogged action.....soon bored !! * Barton ...... wind - assisted drifts....... baited spoons/ beads..... 0 ! * Lookout ...... " "" "" "" "" 0 also ! * dropoff .... last hour.... scorpion fish.... interesting tiddlers !! but the sun came out , the wind dropped a bit and everything looked wonderful ; feeling the increasing warmth in that sun ......... washing the boat down at 6 it was still light; spring can't be far away and this cold snap will soon be gone !! Wonder why I didn't see not a single other boat fishing !!! Next week..... must stick to gardening... [ that's why I went out...... ground was frozen !!]. Supplies of frozen whiting fillets rapidly depleting..... will I have to buy fish soon? Alun.