Gareth_

The Army trip to Alderney was a hard four days, having had to return on Thursday due to Friday's weather. The Monday crossing was ok, although not much showing on the mid-Channel wrecks. The inshore pollacking just outside Braye Harbour was good, using light gear with ball leads and rag or lure. Tuesday saw a trip to east of Sark for the bream, which showed but not in large number or size. We had a quick hour on the Shoal Bank, but no turbot or brill. Tiger Lily's crew had stuck it out all day there, catching a couple of turbot and brill. We finished off on the pollack again, not returning until around 7 pm. Wednesday was always going to be a hard day, with the morning forecast being SW 6-7. We started a species comp in the harbour and then ventured out as soon as the wind dropped slightly. Not much about despite several moves and after 3 hours we returned to finish off in the harbour with only 6 species caught overall. We had expected more just within the harbour, but the fish were not playing. We had also decided on the Thursday departure, so the trip dinner in the Thai restaurant was brought forward to Wednesday evening. As ever, enjoyed by all. On Thursday we headed straight for the wrecks in order to keep the weather behind us. Fishing started slowly, but we found a couple of wrecks where we started to average around 2 fish per drift. Reasonable pollacks and cod to just over 12lb. The rain caught up with us at the end and the final 2 hours and the departure admin was done in the wet. We had intended to break some Army shore records on the breakwater. On Monday night four of us went straight from the boat to the breakwater, missing out the B&B. Good pollack and wrasse caught, but no sign of the huss and gurnard. No shore fishing on Tuesday evening as we didn't get off the boat until 7.30 pm. However, there is no such thing as a bad Alderney trip and we all still enjoyed ourselves, with Paul Whittall and crewman Jai worked as hard as ever. Next year's trip is already booked. Gareth www.aafsea.co.uk

Thanks Barry, sorry you couldn't make it this year. I think the weather will be the challenge!

Our sport is getting very technical. I was out on Tiger Lily yesterday where Chris Caines was uploading photos of the plaice being caught within minutes of them coming aboard, published on his DeepSea webpages. There is also a webcam fitted that covers the fishing deck, but I think that is work in progress. Barry - we may be able to watch all your angling exploits live and remotely in the near future!

Barry - good to see you again at Weymouth and delighted you enjoyed your day on Offshore Rebel. Never a bad day with Paul Whittall. You could have come out on the Flamer III two day species hunt. Excellent fun, weather, company and fishing. Species comps are hard work, but its an excellent way of improving [and I need improving!]. Gareth

Barry The Army team was delighted to have you with us in Alderney and many thanks to you and Geoff for making up the numbers and providing such good company. I think we all agreed that the fishing could have been better, especially the large flatfish. However, the 5 days is more about the whole package - boat, skipper, crew, weather, fish, company etc. I think that we all caught enough fish to want to go again and again. Gareth

Barry, trust me - the Army team will look after you in Alderney next week. The weather will be great.