Duke 1, Oysterhaven, 13/07/07

People:Myself and able seaman Phanover.

Duration:8PM to 10PM

Tide:Dropping

Weather:Fine, breezy

Results:About 4 stone of mackerel, oh and a solitary pollack.

Report:

Took the opportunity of a fine, calmish, mild evening to drop the wee Orkney in for an hour or two with Paul. Opted to launch from Oysterhaven as its only 6 or 7 miles or so from the house. It was merely a brief trip to get the hull wet and hopefully lift a few macks if nothing else. After a small bit of bother with the engine (cutting out when putting into gear) at the slip, once it was properly warmed up it was fine and off we went. There was a nice bit of wind against the ebbing tide that made for a nice 3 foot short chop on the water heading out but with the 2 of us at the front, we cleaved through it with ease and got into calmer water. We headed about a mile and a half out from the harbour and drifted alongside the 2 islands whose name escapes me. Mackerel were there in numbers and suitably equipped with buckets, cool boxes and cool bags we began laying into them with gusto on a mission to fill the freezer for the coming winter. I find Mackerel get very oily towards the end of the season so now was prime time to begin laying some stores down. We weren't disappointed and just over an hour of steady fishing had the various implements filled to capacity. Paul managed a small pollack during this too. Tried fishing a few baits on the bottom and tried a bot of gilling over some promising looking patches of reefy ground to no avail. No matter, we had got what we came for and I was happy just to have Duke out on the water for only her third sortie this year.

Small bit of bother at the slip as it had dried out and we had to retrieve the boat and trailer with a rope but thats no big deal. Many thanks to the chap, whoever he was, in the Classic Kitchens van, who gave us a hand to straighten her up on the trailer. Cheers mate... :wink: A handy wee evening, I look forward to many more down that way before the end of the summer.

Nice to see your getting in some speed work you'll need it. :twisted: :lol:

Oh! BTW they were the Sovereign Islands

Sovereigns, thats it... Didnt check the charts before heading out, more for a nosey than anything else. Looking forward to doing a bit more exploring round there in the near future.

Speed work eh?! Hope you get your lucky hook back off MC, YOU'RE going to need it.... :twisted: :D

Speed work eh?! Hope you get your lucky hook back off MC, YOU'RE going to need it.... :twisted: :D

Used the last Sunday knocked the boys on the kk's for 6 or should that be 26

You'll be well annoyed now if one of them puts you to shame on your own turf in September.... :lol: Ill be more than happy to see you fish for Wrasse all day.... :wink:

You'll be well annoyed now if one of them puts you to shame on your own turf in September.... :lol: Ill be more than happy to see you fish for Wrasse all day.... :wink:

Maybe you can tell me how it felt, Rathmullan gone but not forgotten :twisted: :evil:

Wrasse will only be a by-catch here. This is conger country no place for boys and the toys :lol:

How it felt.... Well, annoying....!! One ray seperating 1st and 4th, gutting... Could have been worse though, could have only caught 3 fish and finished 5th.... :twisted:

Conger country eh...? For that I'm going to make sure the skipper leaves the anchor at home... :D