Well after months of discussion between the crew and on the forums, a pub planning meeting and dozens of weather checks at last it was time to go.
Boat in on Thursday to load the kit, bedding etc and then all the drama about a stern drive seal leaking oil just added to the pre trip excitement.
Day 1
No need for the alarm I was up early, empty the fridge into the coolers and of we go to meet Gordon and Will
The boys had everything [4 Trollies were needed] loads of tackle and enough food to keep us all very well fed all trip
This was all stored away and we set off at 0629
off to the shipping lanes at about 16-18 knots
about two hours later, we stop to check numbers and try a spot of feathering, the wreck showed but the macs didnt.
Off to the wreck we had considered anchoring, but with ships coming thick and fast plan changed to drifting, It fished well and did not take long for Sam to have the first fish of the trip a medium size pollack rapidly followed by many more to about 10lb. some went back but most would not.
In growing winds we set off for plan B, check a few numbers on route to Aldeney.
2 out of 2 were where they should be but by now the drift [wind with tide] was fast so no fish.
Onwards to the island.
Damn a caution warning , fine at low revs. but as the weather got better and revs could be increased it sounded again. Not what we wanted, so I waited for a ship to pass then changed the primary fuel filter. that sorted it
20 miles or so later we arrived in a well known tope area to find Joint venture and Sweet Chariot and I think Yelo trying thier luck on the drift. I decided to anchor on last years mark.
We had a hectic session with about a dozen to 28lb, later to hear of Aluns great 47 lb fish taken in the next bay.
Time to head ashore, to see the rest of the boats in Braye and join the crews in the Maris Hall for a birthday beer or several. after the crew dressing the boat with baloons earlier I had another surprise, a decorated cake with candles and Alderney 2009 shirts for all. Thanks Will and Gordon a very nice thought, much appreciated
Day two
It dawned bright and not too windy so its off to the shoale bank, via the very interesting wave sets at the bottom of the swinge, washing the boat with salt water was not in the plan.
Once through the swinge the weather was great for a sprint to the bank, and from the first drift it went well, Launce and the odd mackeral were followed by turbot and Brill.
We had a good day trying a few areas, and avoiding some longlines down the edge of the bank.
Our tally was 10. 7 Turbot and 3 Brill [with Sam leading the way with two turbot and a Brill, later he admitted that he had been reading up on websites about this type of fishing while on leave because he did not get one last year ]at 1500 we decided not to dissapoint Gordon and take him for a second crack at the tope
Even though we only had a few mackeral we had fine sport with plenty of lively fish to 32 lb,
Gordon had one that fought like hell, run after run and we thought Alun had competition but when landed it was only an avrage fish of 24lb. It fought well above its weight that one, something had pissed it off..
Finally it as time to head for Braye, Moorings were harder to find, eventually we found one, we took a picture of all the fish, they were still alive in the bait tank, slipped 3 back into the harbour to swim off after the two released earlier. [50% returned]
after a hunt for a mooring the wonderful fillet steak supplied and cooked by Will and washed down with beer cider or wine soon seemed to cheer us up again, before a shower and meet up with most of the others in the moorings.
Day three,
we knew we needed fuel after lunch so decided to try the South banks, again bait was available but apart from a solitary bass [My first in Alderny on Alfresco] it was quiet. after a couple of hours we opted to try for the bigger but more scarce fish on the SW bank.
Just two turbot today first again to Sam [returned] and then thankfuly one for Will [we all had one now, just what I had hoped for on this trip] before heading off to the inner harbour
Joint Venture was already at the pumps and Wight Magic close behind but it did not take that long to add 360 ltrs a bit of fresh water and be ready again.
All three boats headed to the tope spot, sods law this time we had loads of bait but the tope did not show up, even handful after handful of will's groundbait mix failed to get them going.
Oh well back to the pub, only to find that we were too slow to be fed at the bottom of the island and had to "borrow the car" to get back in time to eat at the Maris Hall, then back to the moorings for beers.
Last day
Good early forecast getting up later
Planned to leave 0700, delayed a bit waiting for transport for crew and bags, then a call from Paul D, that my new rod was still in the shop . about turn and in to meet Paul on the water Taxi for a batten handover of a nice new bit of tackle
[Thanks Mark and Paul ] By the look of the water Taxi Mark had been busy in the Shop.
20 miles to the first wreck and we were on straight away, loads of pollack to about 10lb, at about 3 a drift. I even managed two on one drift, not bad in 65 meters of water.
Noon saw us underway again stopping again 10 miles later but this one although showing fish was grabbing tackle to give up only the odd fish.
Will put lunch on and we set off the the Rips, only stopping for a drift with no lines in the water as we ate a Curry lunch.
After lunch was finished off we go again, but with increasng wind and reported slow fishng legs rips and others we decided just to get home, Yelo and sweet chariot just in sight in front and JV and Wight Magic just astern.
The trip home seemed to go on a bit, but eventually we passed Old Harry and into the swash for one more photo oportunity. JV and WM passing the ferry inbound.
As we approached JV the speed increased, I am sure the plan was to race off, but after over two hours of boredom I thought I woud play along. and sorry guys we did you [Just] 5 up, tons of kit, Ice and fish just about 30 knots WOT.
That ended a great trip.
It was absolutly magic to go back again. Especially with both Dan and Sam which is getting rarer now and taking Will and Gordon for there first trip to Alderney.
The company and willingness to help with all aspects of the trip , and its planning and preperations were top class, as was Wills cooking
The whole trip was a success for all
Made even better by the fact that so many boats managed to make the trip, many for the first time and apart from the odd glitch all went well,
we all caught fish ,had fun and arrived home tired but well.
Thanks for coming guys on whichever boat you used
sorry for the long report but I hope that it gives others a feel for what we did.
Maybe we can do it all again in May 2010 [Or sooner?]
Pictures to follow
Charlie
