plaicemat

I shall be down amongst you all tomorrow and going fishing, I think Stingray has forgotten what a fish looks like. Any mackerel about?

Obviously, the problem is he only used one strap. 😄

Enjoy your birthday break, you'll be back there again soon.

When I examine it, nothing much has changed.

An old gentleman at the allotments came up to me a couple of days ago and said, as I go fishing, would I like one or two bits of gear he has as he can't go anymore. Not expecting much, I humoured him and accepted. What I received, apart from some dated and worn end gear, were two reels in pristine condition, in their original boxes. One was a multiplier with a metal spool, a Penn Dexta and a fixed spool casting reel, an Intrepid Surfcast. I haven't heard the Intrepid name for years, they were made by the firm K.P. Morritt, and were standard fare back in the 50's/60's. Nostalgia is a thing of the past.

I must have missed something again, didn't this used to be the flatfish and ray competition?

Have a fab cake day uncle Trev, hadn't realised you were THAT old.

As it's cast steel, brazing may be a better option as a lot of heat and pre-heat is generally required.

I do believe the fishing for flatfish has deteriorated over time but there is still some great fishing for other species. Bass, for example, but these have lost their general appeal due to legislation, which is obviously the desired effect. Bream offer some fantastic sport, light line pollack, tope when they're there etc, etc. However, whether or not anglers would be prepared to make an extended and expensive trip for these species is another matter. For us, to a certain extent, it is not wholly about the fishing (although this would ultimately be the deciding factor) but also the excitement of an extended voyage and coming together with one's friends for food, beer and the craic in a place that we know and enjoy.. I still enjoy the trips enormously and am grateful to the skippers who offer me hospitality on their boats but, if another venue came up that offered better fishing, I think most of us would be tempted. Some people in Alderney recognise these facts and see it as a problem to their tourism trade but we all know there is a certain amount of complacency and inertia amongst those who regulate things in the Channel Islands.

Have you got a fitness ticket from Lorraine?

And if you could please mention the ones coming later in the week. Ta!

Unless something has opened since last year, no.

Have you tried Mark at Alderney Angling for accommodation? 01481824884.

Thanks for additional info.

Useful tip I got from Martin as a throwaway and checked on the Internet. Partially used tubes of Sikaflex or similar can be stored in the freezer until required which halts the curing process.

Hope you're having a very happy cake day, Jim.

I assume this will be found in the 'Fiction' section.

Please find something to catch, I'm busting to get out there.

A great cake day to you Craig.

You must remember that as far as alcohol is concerned, your all amateurs compared to the residents of Alderney. The old description of the island is 600 alcoholics clinging to a rock. They have plenty in reserve.

No, I personally don't think it is fair to expect someone to put aside two lots of four days, especially a friend. I've never failed to get accommodation before and hope that continues.

Who wants accommodation?

Where do we form the queue?

I am holding accommodation but we are going 10th to 13th. Can Joint Venture confirm their dates please?

Do people have any idea what dates they are going? Useful for arranging accommodation.