Post by overrun on May 4, 2012 18:54:22 GMT
Always much anticipated, that time again, 4th year for me. Beginning to recognise one or two of the locals and they us, they've even stopped asking if it's the Bass we're after.
Arrived very late Tuesday night after hurriedly rearranging work commitments and grovelling with the boss. The wind noticeable from the land down at Dog poo alley, hoped it would ease for the morning.
Day 1
Woken by the train, dozed until Lozz phoned around 7:30, they'd all be down by 10:00, launching from the town beach. Stuck my head out of the van, a classic Welsh morning, blue sky, no wind, ...magic. The river flat and strangely low considering all the recent rain. Breakfast cleared away and on the water for 8:30, ran the rapid and out onto a flat sea, ...game on!
3 hours on the water at the spot known as “Lozz's mark”. A few Huss and Dog's fell to Mackerel.
My secret weapon Plaice fillet (in lieu of Dab), was being ignored even by the Huss. Watched the chaps approaching from the south, while Ben paddled in from the shore side. Moved position slightly north in the hope of shaking the Dog's for a while.
Simon, Lozz & Gareth duly arrived, Gareth decided to head further out. Lozz & Simon set-up nearby. They'd hardly settled and I'd a text book run, pause, then run again. Wound up the drag and fish on! We'd only been talking about sleigh riding a Tope minutes before, popped the quick release and off uptide. Moments like this when I really should have a video cam rigged, Mr Tope breached about 20 yards away then stuck his head vertically out of the water for a second or so. Looked like a photo-shopped image against the background. Simon was on hand for photo's together with Ben excitedly texting a pic to some poor working fellow Kayak fisherman LOL!
Nice fish, made it on-board briefly and over the other side, difficult to judge weight but around 35-40lb. That perked things-up, we fished on with no further runs or interest, until the flood died away. Evening full of banter, tall stories, phone calls and the odd drink as is customary, ;D the chaps resolved to an early start and fish the ebb. I could afford to take a more leisurely attitude. 05:30 and they were up. Followed about an hour behind. Simon went out early and bagged some fresh Mackerel, Lozz also found Herring, key to a good days fishing as it turned out.
Day 2
I trolled around Sabiki close-in trying to find Launce or something without success, then joined everyone out on the mark. The Huss were being a nuisance as always, fairly soon Lozz was into a Tope, another good sized fish,
then followed a few minutes later by a very vocal Simon .
This of course nothing compared with Ben's screaming later ;D ;D ;D . Meanwhile, Lozz was entertaining, several dropped runs and running commentary as only Lozz does!
While this was going on, I'd been back and forth a few times and moved anchor twice. My frozen Mackerel were pitiful, like fish paste wrapped in wet paper
. Stuck a Plaice fillet out in desperation and bagged one of those enormous Huss. Continued with the Sabiki and hooked a Mackerel, elation soon turned to expletives as I knocked it off with my hand. Then Gareth was in, paddled over for the money shots:
Returned to my buoy, last crappy Mackerel out and crack on with the Sabiki. Thought I'd hooked a full house, but no, a pound and half Codling, doh! Bit large for livebait. Simon had a few dropped runs then Ben in again, just about to move for a pic and sadly it was gone.
Sabiki finally paid off, dropped Herring No.1 but kept the second. Lobbed him out to grizzly Huss oblivion. That was me finished, couldn't complain as we'd all caught over the two days and clearly there were fish about.
Lessons learned this year: bring fresh bait or get up early and catch some. Found new way to lose knife while safely stored in scabbard cable tied to crate. Yank carrier bag trapped under scabbard, snap cable tie and flick the lot over the side.
;D
A cracking couple of days in magnificent surroundings, with excellent company, always a pleasure, can't wait for next time.
Cheers
James
Arrived very late Tuesday night after hurriedly rearranging work commitments and grovelling with the boss. The wind noticeable from the land down at Dog poo alley, hoped it would ease for the morning.
Day 1
Woken by the train, dozed until Lozz phoned around 7:30, they'd all be down by 10:00, launching from the town beach. Stuck my head out of the van, a classic Welsh morning, blue sky, no wind, ...magic. The river flat and strangely low considering all the recent rain. Breakfast cleared away and on the water for 8:30, ran the rapid and out onto a flat sea, ...game on!
3 hours on the water at the spot known as “Lozz's mark”. A few Huss and Dog's fell to Mackerel.
My secret weapon Plaice fillet (in lieu of Dab), was being ignored even by the Huss. Watched the chaps approaching from the south, while Ben paddled in from the shore side. Moved position slightly north in the hope of shaking the Dog's for a while.
Simon, Lozz & Gareth duly arrived, Gareth decided to head further out. Lozz & Simon set-up nearby. They'd hardly settled and I'd a text book run, pause, then run again. Wound up the drag and fish on! We'd only been talking about sleigh riding a Tope minutes before, popped the quick release and off uptide. Moments like this when I really should have a video cam rigged, Mr Tope breached about 20 yards away then stuck his head vertically out of the water for a second or so. Looked like a photo-shopped image against the background. Simon was on hand for photo's together with Ben excitedly texting a pic to some poor working fellow Kayak fisherman LOL!
Nice fish, made it on-board briefly and over the other side, difficult to judge weight but around 35-40lb. That perked things-up, we fished on with no further runs or interest, until the flood died away. Evening full of banter, tall stories, phone calls and the odd drink as is customary, ;D the chaps resolved to an early start and fish the ebb. I could afford to take a more leisurely attitude. 05:30 and they were up. Followed about an hour behind. Simon went out early and bagged some fresh Mackerel, Lozz also found Herring, key to a good days fishing as it turned out.
Day 2
I trolled around Sabiki close-in trying to find Launce or something without success, then joined everyone out on the mark. The Huss were being a nuisance as always, fairly soon Lozz was into a Tope, another good sized fish,
then followed a few minutes later by a very vocal Simon .
This of course nothing compared with Ben's screaming later ;D ;D ;D . Meanwhile, Lozz was entertaining, several dropped runs and running commentary as only Lozz does!
While this was going on, I'd been back and forth a few times and moved anchor twice. My frozen Mackerel were pitiful, like fish paste wrapped in wet paper
. Stuck a Plaice fillet out in desperation and bagged one of those enormous Huss. Continued with the Sabiki and hooked a Mackerel, elation soon turned to expletives as I knocked it off with my hand. Then Gareth was in, paddled over for the money shots:Returned to my buoy, last crappy Mackerel out and crack on with the Sabiki. Thought I'd hooked a full house, but no, a pound and half Codling, doh! Bit large for livebait. Simon had a few dropped runs then Ben in again, just about to move for a pic and sadly it was gone.
Sabiki finally paid off, dropped Herring No.1 but kept the second. Lobbed him out to grizzly Huss oblivion. That was me finished, couldn't complain as we'd all caught over the two days and clearly there were fish about.
Lessons learned this year: bring fresh bait or get up early and catch some. Found new way to lose knife while safely stored in scabbard cable tied to crate. Yank carrier bag trapped under scabbard, snap cable tie and flick the lot over the side.
;D A cracking couple of days in magnificent surroundings, with excellent company, always a pleasure, can't wait for next time.
Cheers
James
