Becky M Newsletter

Monday 26th July, 2004

I am sorry that I didn’t put any thing out last week, but there just wasn’t anything worth reporting. I am sure that you would be over the moon to read that we had caught some Dogfish, and a few Mackerel, but that is the way it goes sometimes.

This last week saw me taking the World Wildlife Trust out to do some Tope tagging, the initially wanted to go Shark tagging, but knowing the predictability of the latter, (you can spend days putting down a bait trail, and not even see one) I thought that it would be a safe bet to go for the Tope. Which we duly caught and tagged, much to their delight, and my relief, because as soon as you say that you will go for a species you can bet your butt they will become illusive on the day you want them.

The next day I had a group out who were inexperienced, but prepared to listen and learn, and they had a good days fishing ending up with a mixed bag of Painted Rays, Bass, Black Bream, Mackerel, Smoothounds, and not forgetting, (ta rar ta rar), Dogfish, who put in an appearance, and I managed to get a rod out for myself, and bagged me a Plaice for my tea (sneaky sod).

The next trip saw an individuals day, which consisted of mainly my regulars, and John Metcalf managed to find a nice Plaice of just under three pounds, (two in two days) which was a good start to the day, and I was really chuffed as it was an area that I wouldn’t associate with them being there. The rest of the day saw us boat a few Black Bream, but not a lot else I am afraid.

The week-end saw me cancel the mid - channel trip as the reports that I was getting back didn’t make me want to go all the way out there for very little return, so we decided to stay inshore where we had a play around for the Bass, not as good as last time with the best fish weighing five and a half pounds.

Sunday I had all rod hire, so we started off getting Mackerel for bait, of which there was an unending shoal, but then the sea breezes set in, as did the sea sickness, so we finished early.

I will endeavour to get my next set of jottings out in time for next week.

Tight Lines,

Dave.

Monday 12th July, 2004

I am beginning to get board with constantly whinging about the weather, could somebody please arrange for us some proper July sunshine instead, then we could all get out and enjoy the fishing.

When we have been able to get out there we have had some good catches, not big fish, but lots of action and enjoyable sport.

Most of this last week has been a wash out, and due to a cock-up on my part last Saturday was a day in harbour for me.

Sunday I was suppose to have gone over the hill, but due to the weather that was prevailing on Saturday I decided to knock that idea into touch that evening, and suggested to the crew that we played around inshore, not everyone wanted to do that so I ended up with five on the day.

We drifted around and found some Mackerel for bait then we tried for some Bass, with Brian Waghorn bagging a nice one of about nine pounds, which set the standard for the day really. In the end we had a good mixed catch consisting of Black Bream, Tope, Bull Huss, Thornback Rays, Smoothound, and how could I forget, we even found Dogfish.

That’s about it for this week, a bit of maintenance to be carried out, and then I am looking forward to the week- end.

Tight Lines,

Dave.

Monday 5th July, 2004

Well I wasn’t kidding last week when I said that STORMY WEATHER would interrupt last week’s trips.

It lived up to the predictions that the forecasters were giving, (why oh why do they always get those predictions right) still it made for a lively Light Line Competition on Thursday with virtually all the favoured places being very nearly unfishable. At least we were able to run the competition, and we were able to get a result at the end of the day.

Paul Copeman was the boat winner on Becky M on the day with a total of 60 points, if only I was able to have found him a couple of high scoring point fish it would have made all the difference, but then if the weather had been kinder ------ who knows what we could have caught.

This coming week isn’t looking too cleaver either with the prospect of more STORMY WEATHER on the horizon, oh well it is all part of the joy of doing the job.

By the way there are still some dates available if you haven’t yet booked up, new groups are always welcome, and the Cod season is only just around the corner.

That’s all for now folks,

Tight Lines,

Dave.