Gillies

Was beautiful tonight, we had a great show of the Northern Lights here on the Isle of Lewis also. Really is impressive. Gillies

Great wee game - I managed to get on high score (for now) am 3rd with 535.013 I wonder if 536 can be done, doesnt look like it. Gillies

went to Univeristy with: Steve McQueen (actor) David Unsworth (footballer) Willie Miller (footballer)

Agree with Paul - got to be Freddy Mercury Gillies

Thanks Newt, I'll definately be taking you up on that offer some time soon. I took a train ride up the Hudson from Grand Central to a sleepy wee town called Cold Springs (about an hour out) the waters looked excellent up there for a spot of fishing. Any ideas what kind of fish can you expect to catch from Brooklyn area up into the Hudson? Gillies

Hi Been in New York the past wee while, took a few walks along Manhattan’s Seaport area, downtown between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge and there were loads of people fishing. The water is dark brown as its part of where the Hudson River meets the sea, and also with all the shipping that passes through it – the water is dirty, and I mean “dirty” - how a fish can see/smell a bait I dont know! Really was fishing for the pleasure of it, I did not see one fish caught by anyone (apart from very very small Wrasse like fish) and tackle and technique used was extremely basic. Sticking chunks of fish on 2 hooks with a lead, casting them on a 6 foot spinning rod loaded with 30 lbs line as far as it would go, and waiting. Still, there must be fish there if there are so many people fishing, when I’m over next I think I’ll give it a go. Gillies

What a great catch - a beautiful fish, well done !!!!! I have been trying for one for ages during quiet spells in competition, and am yet to get one . A 42lbs one - sure is a cracker !!!!!!!! Very Very Well done. Gillies

There are so many great scenes, ones that stick out straight away to me are: Shawshanks Redemption - The realisation that Andy has escaped, and not topped himself. Goodbye Mr Chips - Opening scene, when hes late. Picnic at Hanging Rock - The search for the girls Planes Trains & Automobiles - Waking up in bed scene Something About Mary - (loads) especially the resusitating the dog scene Whiskey Galore - Church bells ring to signal its sunday Star Wars - ANY I could go on and on. Gillies

Oh, thats a tough question - would have to be a toss up between 'The Godfather Part 2' would have to be my favourite with the Shawshanks Redemption a close second. Gillies

They are funny old things Cod, some days at sea you struggle to catch even one, but when I went fishing on Saturday with 3 friends we enjoyed our best ever days Cod fishing, when we began fishing at the top of the tide we had an hour of constant Cod in a feeding frenzy, Ive never seen anything like it, they were even readily coming to unbaited Mackerel feathers. During the rest of the tide, we were still picking them up readily along with Haddock. Was weird, catching all those fish and seen those supersized trawlers fishing 1-2 miles away - how these Cod escaped them I dont know Way I looked at it, better we have them - than these monsterous things! Gillies

Hi Just a small general question. I'm noticing a lot of the fish I am catching over hard ground on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis are full to the belly with 'Pipe Fish', especially Pollack and Cod. I've not seen this in years. They are extremely strange looking fish. I'm wondering if anywhere else seems to be showing an increase in Pipe Fish? Gillies

Some good surfing up here on the Isle of Lewis I'm told (http://www.hebrideansurf.co.uk/) but possibly a wee bit to far away for you I have never got round to having a go myself. Gillies

turned 28 this year. Gillies

Belated happy birthday Chesters, we share it on the same day. Gillies

ha ha, good one. Gillies

Hi Am wondering if anyone can help me, Iam trying to reduce a 3 meg MP3 file down as small as it can possibly go, just now at a bit rate of 56, I have reduced it to aroun 1.46 meg. Is there anyway I can reduce it further? and don't mind a reduction in sound quality? Any suggestions would be great. Gillies

Was Redshaw any help? Gillies

Just emailed you his details. Gillies

Have fished Scrabster for the sharks, I would advise you get all the correct information Some good friends of mine from up there have fished for the regularly and caught a number of them. If you want I can give you an email address of one of them, and he will point you in right direction. When I fished for them, was amazed there is so much more involved in it that just heavy line, big reels and rods, and big hooks. Gillies

Fully agree with Spasor and others about use of Braid, it makes a great difference, and once you get used to using it, you find it hard to return to braid! I would recommend a 20 lbs class rod, or if you can find one for a good price, a 12-20 lbs class one. The Daiwa Powerlift ones are great rods, and can be found for pretty good prices if you shop around. I'm using a Penn Tidecutter 12-20, looks like a spinning rod almost, has plenty of power and great sensitivity, and its rings are designed especially for braid (which is great for fishing into the wind). I recently pulled up a 3 Pollack on it from around 50 meters, for a total weight of 32 lbs, and it still had plenty of power in reserve I felt. The Penn Tidecutter 20-30 is a great rod also. There are so many good rods on the market just now at good prices you should have no problems. Gillies

Make emergency response computer software for an idiot company through the day, and freelance web and database work at nights, at weekends ... I hate computers !!!!! Gillies

Well done Billy Think I should look at doing same thing Gillies

I have not seen the article yet, am feeling slightly guilty infact, I was supposed to give the author numerous photos for the article, and put together a cd for him, but then I was called down to London unexpectedly for work for a week, so forgot all about sending the cd to him and it got burried under paperwork at home I was at work (again of the island) the day they went out fishing I'm working on the redevelopment of the Stornoway SAC web site just now, when I get a moment and you will see a few ugly mugs appearing a few times that you will no doubt recognise there. Gillies

Had an unexpected busy night on Friday, and fishing competition on Saturday, but I've put the video clip online in a rather rushed rough and ready manner, and sent the link to Littlefeathers for approval. Gillies

Littlefeathers, Got the video clip, and made up a small Flash prototype just now to test it, and all worked fine. Will do proper one when I get home If a good laugh Gillies