COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL - 12 First sailing, and joining me were Lee, Scott and Stuart. Why just three? Well, some clients enjoy that bit more space, or have national security secrets to discuss while fishing, and they buy out the spare space. Or spaces. A few of my clients choose to do this. Being a charter skipper is a bit like being a lawyer, only the pay is less. What goes on board, stays on board. Other than table fish obviously. It was a piece of tide that screamed topwaters. Too big a spring low to do my really close spots, as they were already too shallow. But the slightly deeper spots, were viable. And with the ebb backing off, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Three very experienced lure anglers, the fish were always going to be in trouble. Sizes were mostly good also. I have decided that the policy on BIF1 going forwards, on topwaters, is if you use trebles, you unhook your own fish, and deal with any aerial by-catch yourself. Why? I include some photos to show the damage trebles do, especially to small fish. The chances of such damage becoming infected is very high, and I suspect mortality quite possible. The problem is the lure lays alongside the fish in the battle, and all six points can be in the fish, three in the mouth, three in the flank, often tearing. Is there an alternative? I am very very happy with the 3/0 cox and rawle barbless inline singles that I replaced the trebles on my heddon one knocker spooks with.. As long as you work the lure well enough that the bass actually takes the lure, rather than nudges it and gets hooked anyhow, the hook ups are good. As long as you keep a solid bend in the rod, the drop offs are zero. But when you come to unhooking, it is rapid and with zero danger for you or the fish (or feathered alternative). Final tally was exactly 20 fish, and some crackers among them. Biggest, I think Stuart's 58, but some others going that way. Laughs a plenty. Stuart and Scott do like to wind each other up a little. But its all from the buzz. From the bug that is in the tug. Happy smiley people left, and indeed, Lee hadn't had enough so went and bagged a few more from his kayak. Joining one of my regular Marks on the 2nd sailing, three new to BIF1 anglers. Martin, Lonnie and his son Emmanuel. Lonnie and Emanuel quite new to fishing. And sadly it was a bit of a bitty session. We had to run around a lot to find just ten bass. There were five for the table among that haul though, so fairly good. Plus mackerel, and my rod was lucky enough to find a bonus cod. So, not all bad. Third sailing, and this was at a different pace. Sadly, my regular Joe is a very busy guy, and doesn't get to fish nearly as much as either of us feel he perhaps should. He is bundle of fun, sometimes quite destructive, but always uplifting. Which is why his super model and rock star clients keep booking him for his photographic skills. But today, he was bringing his Uncle Eugene once more, and I was also going to meet his lovely mother Bernadette, along for the first time. This session was not to be hardcore. A family session, more about the cruising than the fishing. That said, of course we gave it a go. I did try some proper stuff, and from it Joe nailed a very pretty bass. But rocks and tides were not fun to contend with, and this was to be about fun. With everywhere close awash with ... lots of wash from every kind of vessel imaginable being driven at high speed in all directions, I took us out to a sandbank away from the madness. And here we launched frolics and Isomes to catch gurnards and plaice. No sign of the autumn beasts that can occur, and no sign of any bonus thornbacks despite numbers again being caught from the beaches. Yet gurnards, mackerel and smallish plaice absolutely ticked the bill. We likely had fifteen between us. It noticeably got better as we dropped from 1.4 knot drifts to under one knot. Lots of fun. Session was actually only running 2.5 hours, due to Joe and his camera gear having to make it to a train to somewhere or other, so all too soon we were saying out goodbyes. A very enjoyable session.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 11 First sailing, and unlike the previous day, when I called the day off, after loading clients on the boat on the morning (very rare) as the dreamy forecast XC had sent me to bed with was nothing like what the actual weather was on the morning. Very disappointing with clients from London and Essex, effectively sent back home. But this morning, Max, Pax, Giles and Chris had no such worries. We headed out, and with an hour of ebb to bottom of the tide we headed to a coddie spot. Coddies had not read the script. Neither had the bass. My experience of this spot with bass is the odd big fish. But today, they were there in good numbers. Quality fish as well. We max killed quite quickly and returned plenty more table fish. But as the tide started to flood, it was a signal to the bass that they meant to go somewhere else for the early flood. All vanished, and off we set on the hunt. It still was reasonable fishing, and we kept catching reasonably regularly all through. I would have to say a quite good session. Final tally 25 bass plus bits. 2nd sailing, and I FINALLY got young Cass out, with his friend Freddie and his dad Duncan. I say finally, because, check this out, this is his birthday treat from September 2022... And finally we got him afloat today. It is his birthday again shortly... And happily Neptune was quite kind. It started well, with a few fish landed, then got a bit harder, as we hunted around for the fish. I set us up on a spot where we managed three cod last week, and happily the cod duly obliged, with Freddie being the lucky rod. A nice fish too. Thanks to the dredger delaying the start time by 30 mins, we found ourselves fishing a bit that I hadnt intended (I went to go in 30 mins prior, then checked why the alarm had not gone off. There was 30 mins to run, but I had looked at all the intended ground, which meant I took us somewhere I had no intention to fish). And it led to the finish being quite excellent. All caught good fish, and I felt a bit of a fraud quietly and without revealing my reasons. Final tally, 18 bass, the cod, plus gurnard and mackerel. Or were the gurnard on the first sailing? It all starts to blur at this time in the evening. Third sailing, and another birthday boy aboard finally. This wind doesn't just upset me and my income streams. Young kids also get very frustrated by it. I think all you that broke the weather should hang your heads in shame. And start connecting ladders so you can push the jet stream back to whence it came. James was accompanied by dad Martin, and both my regular Marks were aboard also. This one felt a real struggle compared to the earlier ones. It started ok, and then a fairly stiff ESE wind made things a bit more difficult. Everyone rose to the challenge, and yet, suddenly, we were moving around a lot to find not a lot. Neptune was smiling a little. Of the eight bass landed, four were for the table, but I was worried for James. Every birthday junior deserves a something special from Neptune, right? It wasn't looking good at all. I bounced around marks, but nothing anywhere. Truly sterile. With just thirty minutes to run, I elected to run the cod spot that was crawling with bass in the morning. Not now though. However, I forgot what a tease Neptune can be. James rod smashed over. Really over. Something special from Neptune. And that something special? A cod of course. I mean, we were fishing the cod spot...

Bye bye August 2023. We won't be seeing you again ever, and I am none to sad. Worst August for sailings since I started afloat in 2017, despite full boat bookings for every sailing, which is something every charter business strives to achieve. But wind prevents me from becoming super rich, and buying that Caribbean island, so I guess its business as (the new) usual going forwards. Please do remember, if I am cancelling you for the 12th time on the trot, that it is BIF1's tiny profile and low sides, that make her such an effective shallow water lure boat. But that is also what makes her vulnerable to cancellations on winds of double figures, which has very much been the norm this year. To finish as we started with August 2023, just the one sailing before again wind shuts the door on fun fun fun. With me, Mark and his son Ethan, returning, joining local regulars James and Loz. I had bought BIF1 round to the visitors bay the previous evening, as we were heading out at dead low tide on a particularly big (supermoon) spring low. A big spring low, the water retreats the furthest it ever retreats. and with the dredger not finished digging the silt out in the marina, I did not want to risk a grounding. Especially knowing that the forecast suggested we were going to be blown in near the end of the session. Plan was to again start on the top waters. Was a good plan, and we did get some interest straight away, with a couple of fish. But it was nothing like the previous mornings. I hoped it would improve as the tide moved, but it didnt. Some shad work did though, with a couple of fish of 58 and 54 falling to my rod. Just two more food fish from the final tally of just ten bass landed. Plus gurnard, wrasse, mackerel and Ethan bagged a small pollack. Tomorrow we welcome September 2023. And it already is looking as if I will be sailing every day at least until Tuesday. We love you already September 2023. Keep doing your thing.

Another day of just the single, early sailing, because the wind forecast said no for the rest of the day. And the wind itself dictated where we could fish, which at least took that stress from my shoulders. Along for the quite bouncy ride to the less bouncy waters, all returnee's, Jon, Paul, Richard and Thomas. Happily for the guys, and therefore for me also, the fish were once again present, with a desire to smash surface lures. And the very good news was that Neptune also turned the size knob up a few notches, with table fish for all that wanted them. Not so many mackerel around though, which might be down to better bass being around. And a stunning sunrise also thrown in. After an hour the surface action tailed off a bit. I went for a wander about, but struggled to find a shoal. I suggested we go to the coddiest spot and have a run through on shads. Everyone was up for that, and it did produce a cod hooked to Richards rod, and a half decent one gauging the bend on the rod. It's number was not up though, and it sadly departed about half way up. Two more bass though. We tried a much shallower area for the last part of the session, and this was a good move as we found ourselves back in touch with the fish. Final tally was nineteen landed. And a fairly bouncy run back in again. Same again tomorrow by the looks. Friday, and Saturday, perhaps sailing all day. Sunday... Screaming NE Wind. If only I had my Minn Kota with spot lock sorted. These are the winds this outfit would beat. Whilst hosing down BIF1, I noticed how big the sprat (Herring?) fry have got. They are bigger than the 14gm Mighty minnow now, and it is something I have noticed that they are hitting the 28gm lures with much more enthusiasm. Video attached.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 9 First sailing, and onto genuinely calm seas. A real dilemma on where to go. I really couldn't say. But, hoping for more topwater fun ,I went back to the scene of previous first sailing success. With me. all returning, Kas, Havel, David and Loz. It was a bit like yesterday. The topwaters were working for a while, but 1lb fish. It took some searching around with the soft plastics to put food in the well. We did manage it in the end. Alas, no cod on this session. Five killed, from fifteen landed, and a lot of laughs had. Plus gurnard and mackerel of course. Second and last sailing due to the, actually very accurate forecast of stiff SW breeze by 1400, I was joined by new to BIF1 Jeffrey, and returnee's Shinji and his daughters Mika and Alice. Jeffrey fairly new to the fishing, Shinji and daughters all with skills. It was a very pleasant session. Winds remained ok until right at the end when the bouncing began a little. A few fish everywhere and not many anywhere kind of session. Highlights? I guess Mika landing cod number 9 for the season on BIF1, but also Jeffreys face as I did a demo cast to show him how we do it, which was intercepted by a quality schoolie also featured highly. Final tally was fourteen bass landed, four killed, plus that cod. Mackerel and gurnard by catch once again. We headed back into a freshening wind, which as I type is battering my bushes. Wind does a North to south west swing again tomorrow, meaning just the first sailing will be happening. Thursday also in jeopardy. Friday more promising. Time will tell I guess. FOOTNOTE - Forgot my big camera and my phone camera is weird when wet, but the accidental black and white photo of Alice with a bass I just had to use as... cover girl!

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 8 It is a shame that two days cannot be alike in fishing. Yet, it is a constant fact. "you should have been here yesterday" really is a very common phrase between folk of the angle. Yesterday was a bit special, and the first sailing especially, had echoes of yesterday. With me for this one, Dan, and I am pretty sure Lee returning, and bringing with them Mark and Tony. I hoped to repeat the previous days routine for the first sailing, and it did go. With good weather a fair few other boats were also prospecting, making the most of the flat (but actually still with some bounce) seas, as they have been scarce this year. I set up the drift the same as previously, assisted by identical winds, and broke out the Heddon One Knocker spooks. I have excellent news about these. Distribution kind of vanished, but there is a company well versed in tackle distribution that has grasped the mantle. As soon as I have more details, I will put them in here, and you can go to your local tackle shop and promise to buy all the bone and chrome and puke he can order. Thats pretty much what I had to do to maintain stock in these dry times. The spooks worked their magic immediately. Raising fish a plenty. I struggled to keep up for a while. The big difference was sizes. Whereas everything that smashed the surface lures yesterday was table fish plus, these were mostly 1lb fish. Still excellent fun, with entertainingly enthusiastic takes. Then the tide died, and so the action. Feeling smug, I went to where they went yesterday. Proving that bass are rarely creatures of habit. We did find a couple more, but nothing like the initial barrage. Final tally, 24 landed, and four were taken for the table. Next, all returnees. Mitch, Mark, Mark and Paul who was on yesterdays trip. I did hope to relocate that shoal, so headed in that direction. We took in a few other marks along the way. One did give us a few fish, and got us off the mark. But back among the rocks, I couldnt find them. I decided to put some distance between BIF1 and that area, and that move did pay off. Some quality fish among the final tally of 17 landed, and Mitch bagged the only cod of the day. Five bass killed. Final sailing, Mark remained, young Tim who I havent seen for a while fancied a bounce about, and Misa returned, with his lad Sasha. Off we headed. New flood, and very light winds, and I was quite optimistic. But it was a bit of a struggle to find any consistent fishing. Mackerel a plenty, but bass were less obliging. The wind also stepped up to make conditions quite challenging. But we did manage nine, with three taken for the table. Wind finally shut us down, with a splashy ride back to the marina, thirty minutes before the allotted finish time.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 7 What a great session! Once more only the first sailing was being allowed by Neptune, his wind guardians protecting the fishes from BIF1's assault for the rest of the day. With me, returnee's Paul, Lee and Mose, and with Mose, a friend from the childhood, Ricardo. Swell was bigger than I would have liked, and much bigger than Ricardo would have liked as he is a bit prone to motion sickness as it turned out. Because of the swell, and the wind direction, once more that meant we were limited to a specific area. But after the last sailing, it was the only place I wanted to be anyhow. And because I am now "on the pulse" I knew the approach would be surface lures, and where that approach would be happening. It was fish from the off, and as before, the quality was really good. We maxed killed (6 on this occasion as Lee and I were not for the bass) with the first six casts, and it continued. I think we had got to about twenty fish landed, when the tide eased back and these fish suddenly decided to be elsewhere. Except, this time I had a good idea where. Moving the boat, and changing to Axia mighty minnows, we again found the fish. Less fast, but with no less than 3 bonus cod among them. And some good quality bass, including the two biggest of the day to Lee, at 57 and 62.5cm. The ebb tide kicked in, binging some movement. so I returned to the topwaters, and took BIF1 to where they liked their food floating, and off we went again. Smaller fish on the ebb, the final tally was exactly 50 landed. A quick rinse down, a quick breakfast, and then three shore clients where we added a further 12 bass to the days tally. Seems like its all getting a bit better.

Just the one sailing today, with the supposedly light NW winds due to swing SW and increase further this afternoon. I say supposedly as it was quite a brisk NW wind, which restricted the zone of operations considerably. Everything for the reason though, and Neptune was in a particularly giving mood for a change. With me, a coven of NRA licence inspectors, a voluntary role that requires the wearing of a kevlar vest, and a police companion in these modern times. How did fishing ever come to this? Perhaps this is why Neptune shone favour upon Martynas, Joe, Peter and Stuart. Karma in action. It started ok. Enough action to be interesting. And straight away it was obvious there was a good stamp of fish. No beasts, but lots of table fish. Of the 24 fish landed, I would say 18 would have gone into a commercials ice box. Luckily for the fish, BIF1 is not a licenced rod and line vessel, so we only killed the maximum 8. I was taught two lessons, and both by Joe. Joe has been a client from way before BIF1 times, and he always struck me as a thinker. He is also very respectful to the quarry. If we were going to kill the fish, he was going to do it, with the japanese method of... erm... edgysomething or other. A narrow bore hollow tube is inserted between the fishes eyes, into the brain cavity. Instant death, with the centre of communications shut down, so the flesh is at its peak stage. No messages for chemical reactions to the onset of death that a smack over the head incites. Then a fine but strong wire is inserted and fed in along the spine. Then a gill is broken and the fish put into ice slurry to bleed out. End result is sushi grade bass. Some of our commercials do this technique here in Brighton, to achieve maximum £ per kg. A good idea imho. With practice, a fairly fast process. Joe taught me, that he wouldnt end up losing fishing time as we quickly hit the eight fish limit. Joe also taught me that today was the day the fish were really looking up. A blessed relief. All year so far, topwaters have been a bit... well... pants. Shads far outscoring. Joe had a few swirls at one, and then fish on. This inspired me to break out the Axia glide. Fish on... fish on... fish on. This was toward the end of the session, but Martynas and Pete also jumped in on the action. A great way to end one of the better sessions of recent sailings.

COD ACCUMULATIVE TOTAL = 4 First sailing, and out with regulars Mitch, Dex, Max and David. Another lovely morning, although more of a breeze than expected. And such a different morning from the previous one. Whereas yesterday we didnt see any bait fish and hardly any mackerel, it was instantly difficult to get the lure through them to the predators beneath them. Mackerel do like playing "pass the Axia Mighty minnow" it seems. But of course, when lots of bait around, bass numbers are up. We were mostly finding smaller fish. It took a move to much heavier ground in shallower water before the table fish came to play, and from the 23 bass landed, we killed just four if my memory is correct. 0600 this morning seems like a lifetime away by the time I come to write about it. What I do distinctly remember was the two cod we caught. One to me, one to Mitch. These fish arrive inshore quite thin, but fatten up quickly on the crabs they have come to munch upon. Currently slender and 3-4lb, a month from now they will be fattened 4-6lb fish. Second sailing, and it was my pleasure to welcome back as a group, Martin, Steve and Andy, who were joined by Marc to make up the full boat. Fishing on this session was far less hectic, and no cod were landed. But of the 9 fish landed, six were killed for the table with much better quality fish found. Stacks of mackerel also still remained. And we finished on the bulk of the quality fish, which meant that for the third sailing where we swapped Marc for new to BIF1 Misha. Heading out, it did look a bit grey down where we were headed. We were only half way to the spot when the wind freshened significantly. Reading the clouds, it was obvious that this was going to turn into something nasty. I hovered a bit, trying to see which direction it was going, but came to the conclusion it was coming straight at us. I informed the guys that we were returning to port, where we would grab coffee in the yacht club and wait for this nastiness to pass. Quite glad we did. Intensely heavy rain, complete with thunder and lightning, which went on for thirty minutes. And then the sun came out. We left the yacht club (great coffee btw) and headed off onto the once more calm seas. With a hint of sunshine, I was feeling quite smug at making what had turned out to be an excellent call. About this time, I spotted the next lot. We debated which way it was going, and we all decided, prompted by landing a few bass including a tidy one, it was going to miss us. It really did look like it would as well, until the whole system picked up a new breeze and raced straight at us. As the first rain fell, the first flashes of lightning happened. Hoping I could beat the worst of it, I discovered that thunder storms travel a lot quicker than 22 knots. We got smashed by it, and totally soaked, while running for port. Session abandoned.

Cod Accumulative Total = 2 First sailing, on the first perfectly calm seas I can remember for ages, and joining me was Lee, Jack and Olly, plus regular John, who was with me fr two sailings, plus breakfast at Cafe Zio's. Last time the first three guys were out with me, it was all about the big gurnard glut of April 2018. This time it was more about hunting, hunting and hunting, to find the fishes we wanted. And we didn't really make it. I mean, we caught bass, with fifteen to the boat, but just one of those was for the table. It seemed the lack of tide did not help matters. It was a strange day, with zero baitfish around, and the only bird action we saw, a jet skier thought it would be fun to charge into them and donut. Strange some of these jet skier types. As if the gulls havent had a hard enough time from the decimation of their numbers by avian flu last year, they cant even enjoy a decent and today scarce bait ball burst without that being fun for someone who is clearly very bored at sea with a jetski. Second sailing and we fared somewhat better with the table fish, although we did have new to BIF1 James and Nigel joining a regular James and of course John. Very similar numbers to the first sailing, but a better stamp of fish. Sadly for regular James, with few baitfish, were few mackerel, as his smoker is one of his happy places. But he is out with me again soon, so hopefully the bait fish shoals will have reformed. I think we had sixteen landed, with three killed, and at least three further table fish returned on request. Third sailing, and check this out. How often am I going to get a sailing, where, booked upon it, is Peter, Peter, Theo and Leo... I'm not making it up, honest guv. That really happened today. Regular Peter bought his lad Leo. Well, kind of the other way round really, but thats another story. And first time to BIF1 grandad Peter bought grandson Theo along. Theo had requested to try fishing, as a reward for a swimming accomplishment. That really made me happy to hear, mostly because as someone that swims worse than a gold bar, you can never have too many swimmers on board. Now, I must admit, I think this is the first time I have gone straight in with teaching a non fishing nine year old how to cast, but something about his confidence told me to go with it. And with Leo, only slightly older, already an excellent caster, I kind of had to do it. Why? Well, I always try to remember being the age of the person I am working with (if younger of course!!) And I think that in that situation, not being given the opportunity to at least try, when someone same age is hitting 50 meters, would sting. Maybe not for Theo, but I think for a nine year old fishy rob, resentment would have brewed. And guess what? I was shocked. Within ten casts he nailed the timing, and by the end there was rod speed and 50 meter casts. For me, this was the best bit of the day. However, I have extremely experienced rods come onto the boat, and fail to catch first session, while all those around smashed it. That certainly wasnt the case, as the final tally of bass was jusr eight. However, of those six were for the table. And Peter the elder, also caught after an epic battle on the 28gm gear, his first cod for 38 years. So, what to do with Theo, as I felt it imperative he caught and under his own steam? Plus, first time fishing, after an hour of casting there were some signs of fatigue. "Want to try for a black bream?" I asked. More reliable than mackerel, I was quite happy that he agreed, as bream are quite happy to feed on scrubby ground. I set him up with the isome rig, and he missed the first bite, but nailed the 2nd, with what was actually a half tidy fish for this time of year in the shallows. Other notables, Leo we think got his biggest bass so far. and then nearly topped it pretty much next cast. And, I have had spaces become available on Sunday's 1430 sailing, which looks quite possibly it might sail. Text to 07970 112774 if you fancy that.

Cod Accumulative Total = 1 They're here!! Well, they have actually been here for over three weeks, but the wind simply hasn't allowed for any determined hunting. Joining me for the only sailing of the day, before wind removed later options, were returnee's David, Richard and Mose, and Mose bought his friend Paulo along also, as he visits from Italy. Italy is a very different country in many respects. One being an absolute reverence for mackerel. The fish that we take for granted in the UK, is sought by specialist charters, with whole tackle lines dedicated to their capture. Apparently, simply feathering does nothing for Italian mackerel! As such, Paulo was delighted with some very fat, super eating specimens that began the session. Bass also began to show, but the first decent net fish was by Mose, with the first cod aboard BIF1 of what, if the wind allows, is likely to be a very good season indeed. By recent standards. Those fish of 1.5lb last year, are the fish we are seeing this year. And I hope lots survived a summer of feeding up on the wrecks, before they head inshore for the crabs on the rocks. Very specific crabs as well. Very small with oversized claws. Same as I have found at Chesil, another cod concentration. Time will tell but 4-5lb fish are likely to be the norm by the end of October. Final tally was 11 bass landed. Maybe more. Best was David with a 61cm cracker, his best from BIF1 to date. One not far off that for Mose. Plus that cod. Lots of big mackerel, a couple of gurnard and a bream completed the species. Not tragic for a 3 hour bounce around.

Early birds catch the worms. Early anglers often catch the best moments of the day, regardless of what they catch. Out with me this morning, Mark, Mick, Nick and Richard, all returnee's, all enjoyed a fairly dramatic sunrise over Saltdean. Sometimes, a waffly introduction like this is to pad the lack of fishy action. Yet happily this time, it was literally just to say wow. We anglers are so lucky. Most people are either watching a road or the inside of their eyelids at this special time. My favourite time of day for sure. Considering how little I have been sailing lately, it all came together ok. Fish were pretty much everywhere we looked for them. A few here, a few there. Quite fun, although sizes a little on the low side. From the twenty three landed, just four for the table. Second sailing, and Nick and Martin were back, joined by Geoff and Roly, also returning. I went around the same marks in a slightly different order, fine tuning for the tide. Wind was so light, that I could be really precise in where we hunted. Less numbers, with sixteen fish landed, eight over the 42 to 55cm the biggest. Some lost also, with one that briefly connected to Martins rod having 60+ potential. Third sailing, Kas was back, and with him his brother in law Havel. And new to BIF1, former Brighton resident Geoff, and still local Russ. So, three new people aboard BIF1. You may have realised we are all a bit, erm, different, those of us who like to make money from the sea. I have reached a very happy place where I am mostly taking out customers, who return. So, we got to know each other. They know my ways, I know theirs. It works. The stress levels (well hidden obviously) when new people are on board, hits the roof. Especially when they are instantly likeable, as all three instantly were. And just to add to the pressure, Geoff's trip was a birthday present from his missus!! I simply had to find fish. Neptune must be pitying my world at the moment, as fish were found. Not big numbers, but enough. Russ was very happy to land a brace of table fish for his efforts, and birthday boys Kas and Geoff were both rewarded with bass to take home. Havel had some excellent eating mackerel as well. A few gurnards through all sailings today as well. Final bass tally was nine, with just the three killed. And I suspect, that next time Geoff is passing through town, he might just be getting in touch. I could see a very relaxed man for the light line experience. It is a refreshing change when you have been used to heavy gear for long time. Russ and Havel, perhaps a bit sooner. I think they also found the concept exciting and enjoyable. Time, as always, will tell. A bloody chatterbox that time...