Graham Nash

checking the forecast... its looking even worse than a fortnight ago Is there a plan C??

Excellent post Chris .... similar sentiment to me but rather more eloquently put

debate eh...... These guys are going to get paid irrespective of whether we give them information or not ... our taxes WILL pay for it anyway... why not have some input? (If we don't, we can have no complaints when they make an ill informed decision) Many on here will already know my views on fish health, conservation, catch and keep/release so I personally have no concern about giving information if it will help improve stocks for future generations (even if it means we have to limit our freezers full of dead fish). Many years ago, I was friends with a "doctor", (trust me i'm a doctor ) he was no ordinary doctor but he had a doctorate in FISH!! His job (that we all paid for) was to follow the lifespan and movement of Dace in the river Piddle, and record the expansion or decline of the species and the reasons. He was an immensely interesting chap to share a pint with and I learned masses from him about the life and times of fish. His studies/results did not limit angling activities (in fact it helped the authorities to understand how best to preserve stocks for future angling generations). I point you to the second from last paragraph on the Sea Angling 2012 fact sheet. "Of course, Sea Angling 2012 may demonstrate that recreational activity is having a negligible effect on stocks, and there is no need to seek additional voluntary measures for those stocks. However Defra cannot assume that will be the case, which is why it is important to have data collected as accurately as possible. Well-informed decisions are important for the benefit of all stakeholders". No wine was hurt during the making of this post

Well done and thanks Jim & Dave.

Rob, My reason for driving back from Woking on a Sunday morning is now an "EX" reason, so if you need me I am available. I would probably like to fish the competition too so wouldn't want to be hanging around too long.

I generally drive down from Woking on the Sunday morning so doubt I would be here in time to take the reigns at 7 either Rob. Sorry.

That looks awesome Paul. While in Floridal last year I booked a "bass trip" over there. It was $500 for the day and it was "one to one". Unfortunately something else happened which meant I had to cancel and although I saved $500 i quite possibly missed out on a trip of a lifetime.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20...t-children.html I know its the Daily Mail but still!

As a guide Shane, I have just paid my next year account for a Raider 18 and it is a shade over 2 grand. Unlimited launch/recovery. I think its one of the cheepest locally but is a fair distance from the harbour entrance. Gives plenty of time for the crew to clean her down on the way back in :-)

Lots of us have boats in lots of marinas down here shane, Mine (and many others) is at Rockley. Cobbs Quay is another one that many club boats are kept. I just looked on the net to get you some details and there is one that may be of interest to you ... LS Marine. It would seem they are secure and are on an industrial estate not far from Cobbs Quay.

I have just got back from walking the dogs on the seafront and that was DEFINITELY a good shout yesterday Rob. (As it happens my usual crew was not available today but they will be on the 18th )

Congratulations both

http://www.boroughofpoole.com/go.php?struc...=S4649E14817E63 every hour apart from the one that would be best it would seem!!

can she get some for me too please jim. that was not funny nigel!

Superb James .... you guys are so dedicated. Great report and pictures.

and I thought I was special

I am pretty sure you are right Nigel... I have just googled "red mullet" and that is almost certainly what I had! It would seem it is normally found in the Med, not off Bournemouth pier!!

we covered miles again today, saw a couple of nutters heading towards Wareham as we headed out Got to Christchurch just to turn round and head back without even dropping a line coz it was a little grottier than we wanted. Back towards Bournemouth pier where we found some very small bream, doggies, mackerel and a fish I dont know what it was ... maybe someone out there will tell me? It looked similar to a gurnard but wihout the large fins, no blue on it just an orangy red colour. Headed back into the harbour to catch WEED!! then moved well inside the harbour towards Rockley where we were joined by a couple of shadey characters we used up the last of our worm and managed 2 small bass before heading back to the pontoon at just after 5. Enjoyable to be out, but i seem to remember better days fishing!

I will be out tomorrow .... gonna try somewhere new as I cant imagine I can improve on the rays I have had so far this year.

I found 1 mackerel all day!

well thats come out of the blue .... Good luck Martin .... If only I had

good luck Dave. Your new boat looks LOVELY!! I look forward to seeing you out there sometime soon.

what stunning scenery .... excellent thread guys.

The saying goes, If brains was dynamite, I wouldn't have enough to blow my nose!!!! Last week while we were out we pulled in our anchor rope and left a large loop on the bow ready for dropping when we stopped again. In our bouncing about the loop dropped off our bow and went under the boat before snagging on my skeg on the engine. Fortunately no harm done and we were easily able to free it in the shelter of Studland Bay. Lesson learned????? Erm ... well...... NO! Yesterday we popped out and found our desired mark was taken by Nigel so we motored around a little and found our "number 2" mark, which is about 150 yards up tide of our preferered spot. Motored past it and dropped the anchor only to find we had drifted well back from our desired spot and were sitting virtually on top of nigels anchor so we manually pulled our anchor up so it was off the ground then I came up with the brilliant idea of leaving the anchor dangling just above the sea bed and motor forward to a couple of hundred yards before dropping it again. It wasnt till the engine stopped with an anchor rope around it that I realised just how STUPID I had been!! Fortunately once again there was no harm done and we drifted past Nigel with a fair amount of room for error. Nigel upped anchor very soon afterwards and left (for which I dont't blame him) and I apologise if it was my presence that scared him away! maybe I am getting old before my time, maybe I'm just stupid but I really do need to be getting my brain in gear before making these stupid decisions .... If its any consolation Nigel, the fishing was dire and we had mackerel & scad by the dozen, a single small blonde ray and a single red gurnard.

Paul ....the post was started in early March ......... I got a new boat on 17th August .... quite a snooze !!! Dave thats more like a coma Dave!