needles 7-12-08

[richi]

Woke up to frost everywhere,for once the new forest did look like Lapland

Arrived at Keyhaven and eventually got ready for launch expecting a cold one.

 

 

It was superbly flat and it was a pleasure paddling across watching the sun and it's effect on the scenery

 

 

Hurst Castle looking majestic

 

 

Approaching the Needles heard Ron Bundy on the VHF,he reported to his mate that he'd had Whiting aboard came out with a typical Ron classic"there must be 40 boats out here and they are all in the wrong spot" ;Dthen went on in a solemn voice to say that he'd been reading all about the diahorrea etc. that was becoming more and more commonplace in the hospitals.He said to his mate"did you know that diahorrea was hereditory",his mate said "No"to which Ron replied "It runs in the genes"----------------I nearly fell out the bloody yak laughing

 

Anyway,threaded the Needles and counted 47 boats,me making 48-------Picadilly circus

 

 

 

 

but none of them were on my inshore spot

 

 

 

 

Couldn't believe how warm it was in the sun,very little wind.

 

During the slack water period bites were scarce all I managed during this period was a doggie that spat the hook at the surface.

 

As the tide began to build(ended up with 1lb of weight on one rod and 12oz on the other)it picked up.

 

First fish to the yak really put a smile on my face,another species for the yearly tally a beautiful Spotted Ray

 

Caught

 

 

Unhooked

 

 

And released

 

Next fish was Whiting,most of them were around this size

 

 

then the good old doggies put in an appearance

 

 

Sadly the Cod didn't put in an appearance,maybe partly due to the 5 bloody trawlers that were there yesterday,but that's the way it goes,some of the boats had the odd one still though

 

Up anchored ready to paddle back with the sunset with the aid of the flooding tide,no Cod but a happy bunny with the new species and a wonderful winters day on the water

 

 

 

 

 

Can't wait to get back out there

 

 

Edit: heard Ron Bundy later on in the day saying that one of his punters had caught one around 30lb and I just dismissed it as a joke............................................................................

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just found out it is true 35lb !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

lucky fellow