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Alternatively, you could try a sea anchor which will keep you stem on to the tide and reasonably stable. Just a bucket streamed from the stern and attached to a cleat. The bigger the bucket, the better the fix; within limits! Also helps to save two anglers fishing from one side of the boat when the effect of the wind puts the boat beam on. Terry.

Damn, not quite quick enough to correct Alun's essay. Terry.

Dilys is dishing it up as I write this. I had it cooked ready for her return from School. Bl@@dy hard working these Prmary School teachers. Terry.

Ditto. Terry.

And the Cimarra crew. Terry.

Hopefully, a couple of photo's from Sunday. Terry.

2.1 mtrs above Mean High Water Tide Level. 6.88 feet, somewhat less than 7' 6". DUCK. Terry.

Thanks to Alun and Gastronaught for a pleasant day out. You will notice that my report doesn't end with "and the FPO and I scoffed the lot for tea". Although it was great to get out again in this extended period of gloom, wind and rain, the fish decided not to come out to play. Apart from a few lsd's and pout which at least kept up the interest there was nothing for tea. Still great fresh bacon and tomato butties on homemade wholemeal bread with cups of hearty, spicy celeriac curried soup helped to keep the wolf from the door. That's my lot, I think, until the spring fish arrive. Roll on the good weather. Terry.

Have spoken to Simon, third place on Cimarra taken. Terry.

My mistake, it was only Man Flu. Pete appears to be o/k now and would like to come. If you have room Simon, put him down. Ta. Terry.

My friend will not be available for Cimarra. Flu! Terry.

Perhaps he's joined the forum to see when we're going! Terry.

Alun, I'll give you a call this evening. Terry.

Done and circulated. The most worrying thing about this is that it is a back door way of tracking most of the population, most of the time. It's the sort of thing one used to read about in books like 1984 and say to yourself that it could never happen in real life. Strange, isn't it, that the country that has always lauded peoples civil rights is the first to dare to try a move like this. Remember this sort of thing at the next general election. Terry.

Babel fish must be getting a pasting this afternoon. Terry.

I have a pair of stainless steel dog nail clippers that I use for the job. Otherwise a good sharp knife. Be prepared, the more active type fish bleed immediately and fairly profusely. It does make a difference to the flavour of the fish. You have probably heard that line caught fish taste better than net caught ones, something to do with the fact that they evacuate during the fight so this additional proceedure should make them as good as they get. Terry.

Apologies if you're a New Labour supporter. The Government annouced today that it is changing it's party symbol to a condom because it more accurately reflects the party's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed. Seems to fit the bill! Terry.

Adam, this is good practice but still works even when the fish has been despatched and is a lot more humane. Because their hearts don't stop immediately after being clobbered, a good bleed is assured. For larger fish, I have a cord attached to a rear cleat to hang the fish in the water thus saving a lot of mess in the boat or ice box. Terry.

For years I have been using the butt end of a billiard cue, which is already weighted, for salmon. I have been given several proprietory priests as presents but stick to my old one. Butt me no buts! Terry.

I'll keep my powder dry for another day at least, Alun. If it really looks worth while taking the trip down, I'm up for a blast on Gastronaught. I've got a big box of squid doing nothing much. Terry.

Wait for the bolt of lightning!

Happy birthday, Gordon. Have you though about writing a few predictions for the coming year? You could now call it 'Old Moore's Almanac'. Or has that been done? Terry.

Just to keep things even handed, I don't know about the rest of you but I found this month's edition of BFM to be both interesting and informative. Plenty of good photo's and interest for the angler fishing British waters. Well done. Long may it continue. Terry.

For those who may be interested in navigation kit, etc., Steve Walker of JK Max Navigation has requested I point out that he will be very pleased to meet and greet any Club members on the Silva (Lowrance, Eagle, etc) stand at the boat show. His deals are very competitive (haggle) and there will be the young fellow from Lowrance there who is a whizz on the technical and operational side of things. Terry.

Au contraire, Martin. A relatively stiff wrist action is desireable and this can only be gained through regular exercise! Terry.