Benone Beach, North Coast

Two weeks now with a rotten chesty cold and still no sign of it lifting, I had to get some fresh air today. A fish or two would be a very welcome bonus, I was just happy to be heading out..
I chose a beach that offered comfortable fishing from the car. I left home late morning and in rainy wet weather but arrived at the mark to a glorious mild day (13°C) with even some breaks in the clouds. The wind was fresh but it was on my back, the sea was calm and it was approaching low tide.
First thing I noticed was a decent sea tout, about 2lb, lying dead on the shore - probably the result of poor fish handling It had been dead for some time and there were a couple of hooded crows pecking at its eyes and gills, they were struggling to get at the rest of the flesh though so I got out of the car and did them a big favour, I cut the skin down the length of the fish.. my good deed for the day.
I was soon set up and had 2 rods fishing, both with 3 hook flappers (2up 1down) baited with manky yellow mack; I was happy too to be christening the new Shimano reel (Beastmaster 10000 XB), it felt smooth and sturdy. I let the baits soak for a bit then checked them, in came small bundles of leaves and crap on every hook, and the crabs had cleaned the hooks 'n' all in the process. Ballix. I re-baited and cast out again (hopefully it would be manageable or would clear) upon where I heard a bit of a clatter behind me. I turned round to see a young fella face-plant the sand then roll head over tit along the beach; his horse had thrown him, bolted, and was now galloping into the distance. He was about 12 years old and of the rolly-polly type anyway and so he actually made for a nice uniform tumble, he performed it well and I initially thought that maybe he was training himself to be a stunt man. This cheered me up a little. I caught his eye and asked “Are ye all right?!” to which, between the sobs, he gave me a reassuring thumbs up. He jogged off after the horse, still sobbing, but a stronger man for it.
Upon the next reel in I saw the inevitable bundle of leaves and crap come in but this time I glimpsed a little flap of a tail amongst it; I was made-up as a nice little flounder was holding on. It made my day. 24cm. I was happy with that
After about 2 hours the rain had started on and off and so I started packing up, as i didn't fancy fishing into dark neither. I had a quick chat to the lad (of three) beside me and all that they had had between them was 2 doggies over several hours. Another fisherman arrived and drove over to me for a summary of how I had fared. In the process, he was keen to tell me about a bass that he had caught of this very beach 4 years ago, at 11lb 2oz! Jammy get
As i was driving off I saw my wee buddy getting a foot back up onto his horse, good for him. And the sea trout had been well and truly properly cleaned, with a now handful of birds nearby with smiles on their faces.

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getting out in the fresh air is half the battle, a nice flounder tops it off

An interesting day out Charlie, even if not that piscatorially rewarding! Marks out of 10 for the Dismount and Forward Tumble?

An interesting day out Charlie, even if not that piscatorially rewarding! Marks out of 10 for the Dismount and Forward Tumble?

9.5