plaicemat

If it's any help, here are the ins and outs of a gas conversion for diesel engines. Diesel/LPG conversion. Hope it helps. Terry.

Your information corresponds with where we used to catch the odd ones in the '60's, Mike. Our's were also in the 1lb class; maybe there are some bigger ones there but we'll have to wait and see. The ones we caught were on unbaited hokkies meant for mackerel. Terry.

Of course, all this speculation and doubt, wishing and hoping is wasted on me because I know what I caught and whether or not it's believed is of no consequence. But, when I catch some more, I will be careful to weigh and photograph them. Terry.

What's the record for haddock? Terry.

Thank goodness for that, Graham, I was beginning to feel like a leper. Despite people saying things like 'I don't doubt you' and 'I'm sure you know your stuff, I can read the sub-text which is saying 'b@ll@cks'. Exactly as Dan says. Yes, Paul, I do know a hoss mackerel when I see one, I've baited hundreds of crab pots in Norfolk with them. And I'm surprised your so sceptical, Tom, we all believed in your record herring! Don't run away with the idea of fish and chip sized fish, these would have made a meal for one, although I didn't bother keeping them. Terry.

No probs, Tom, I'll go back and get more. If we randomly got 3 whilst feathering for mackerel, there have to be quite a few of them there. Very strange things are happening these days and I suppose we shouldn't be surprised at anything. Terry.

Bu@@er! I didn't think of that. Well, I know where they were, strangely in two different spots, so will try again. I marked them on the charts just for interest sake and so I could put 'Haddock Mark' on my chart. Terry.

Strangely, Paul, we did get them on feathers as well as a lot of gars, far more than mackerel. I have checked my fish i.d. charts and there is no doubt about what they were. I can remember catching them in Poole Bay in the 1960's (rarely) but haven't seen them since. Terry.

What a super day to be out on the water, such a pleasure after being confined to barracks with the weather for the last few weeks. I had a little bye day yesterday on a conversion job. I have a friend who I have converted from carp fishing to the more exacting sport of fly fishing and who now wanted the experience of sea angling. We went out from Christchurch and had a super day, not a red letter one in the sense of trophy fish but it was just a pleasure to be out. Mackerel were hard to find and we managed 4 so had a go for a late bass; too late, I'm afraid. We then tried for a trigger and had everything but; not huge but he had his string pulled. He added about 7 fish to his list of species caught, one of the more surprising which I haven't seen for a number of years being 3 haddock. Which is the point of this posting, really. Are they about in numbers and have I just been unlucky in not catching any? Only downside to the day was when launching, I gave him some jobs to do and foolishly didn't check. He hadn't pushed in the number plate holders on the trailer which comprehensively furgled the trim tabs on the boat when trying to launch. Fortunately, no damage was done to the hull as they are alloy and bend fairly easily, which was fortunate as we were driving home in the dark. Terry.

The same applies to petrol vapour, of course, and there are plenty of boats running on petrol. In a properly sealed system with the necessary precautions taken (as you say, ventilation, etc), there should not be a problem. In a previous existence, I used to work for Thames Water (as was) and part of my brief was involvement in inspecting craft for river worthiness. Unlike sea craft, this was a requirement of the licencing system. We never found a problem with with either gas or petrol after the recommendations had been followed. This did not stop very rare accidents but these were almost exclusively down to incorrect proceedures, i.e., refueling an outboard tank with the cooker going, etc. Is there a body that does these sort of inspections on a voluntary basis for sea craft? Terry.

Of course, an alternative is to use removeable bottles and have them charged at your local supplier. A company I did the training for ran a Scania 38 tonne truck on LPG and, although the performance was not bad (I drove it several times on a run to Lancashire overnight) the downside was availability of fuel, or not. A boat would not be put under the loads expected of a vehicle like that so, if the maths work, as Charlie said, I would have thought it was a go'er. Also, one has to consider the benefit of witholding money from the Chancellor; definitely a big plus! Terry.

Have I missed a toy? What is a wedge? Terry.

Once again I miss the opportunity. Now virtually recovered from my indisposition, I'm off to Munich tomorrow for Oktoberfest, back Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully, the weather will play ball next week. Terry.

Anyone need a good fishfinder? I have a Garmin Fishfinder 250 in perfect order that is surplus to requirements now I have a dual chartplotter/fishfinder unit. Everything is there to just wire straight in. I would like

Someone obviously didn't totally understand the meaning of 'phishing'. Terry.

Right, having checked in another post, Alec, our sponsor bait man usually has sand eels in season and you can collect from his house early. Terry.

Thanks, Paul. I saw it on the sponsors page but thought that may have been out of date as I couldn't find the ad. Terry.

Ssshhh. Keep it quiet. Terry.

I won't get involved. Whatever one suggests, someone will say it's b@ll@cks and what they use is best. That's a good price for a Solid C, though. Terry.

Just for interest, is Alec the bait still a sponsor of the club, I can't seem to find an ad? Terry.

Would love to but probably inadviseable. Just returned from a short sojourn in hospital with e-coli poisoning (should stick to my own curries) and am apparently going to be about another week on top of the 6 days already. And it looks like being the best week for months! Bu@@er! Let's just hope it lasts. Terry.

It's already been on for one week, Pete. If you're interested in fishing and like to see lots of fish being caught in the Trossacks (and if that isn't cruelty, I don't know what is), forget it! If you like Rich Hall (and I usually do), there is still not a great deal. Sometimes two comics will spark off each other but these two don't quite make it. Terry.

Of course I did but what fun would it have been to have just accepted it. Terry.

Worryingly, I've just finished speaking to my sister in Florida regarding our forthcoming trip. She informed me that she has a friend who wants to take me out to the flats fishing and hunting on his air boat. Gulp! Perhaps it will be an opportunity for a little diplomatic education. A cultural exchange, if you will. Terry.

The well known dog trainer? Or perhaps you meant Mrs. Whitehouse SIT! Terry.