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Print versionA Year’s Journey
It’s amazing how time flies. I had been thinking, it’s exactly a year since the WSF/TSF Iceland trip. It seems like only yesterday that Mike Thrussell, Mike T Jnr and I were relaxing in the ‘Players’ bar in Reykjavik with Pete Thain of Icelandic Fishing Adventures, reflecting on what had been an unforgettable lads week of fishing and ‘sightseeing’. It was my first proper away experience, and provided memories that I will never forget.
The fishing had been simply unbelievable - for starters, the incredible numbers of flatfish. There are literally millions of big dabs in Iceland... we caught shed loads. They ate big baits, they ate small baits, they took bottom baits and they took baits off the bottom... did I mention there are plenty dabs in Iceland? Apart from that, the cod and haddock sport was phenomenal, and I managed to bag my first double figure cod from the shore thanks to help from Steve Mason. We had some odd captures too; Mike Jnr had a bizarre looking starry ray, Pete had a lemon sole, and we all managed some catfish.
Catfish are creatures that I had always wanted to see in the flesh. They are the true evil fish, and don’t often think twice about savagely attacking (which in catfish terms, means tearing and clamping with a substantial and almost dog like set of fangs) at baits, shoes, hands etc... and in general - any human flesh which it’s owner unwarily flaunts within meters of these blood thirsty wolves. Hook removing is interesting, especially when you put your hands towards them from behind; they turn around and look at you with a pair of ever-plotting and shifty eyes as if to say... make my day, I dare you! In all seriousness, these are a wonderful fish to catch, and despite the fact that they did manage to latch on to me a few times, it was through carelessness.
I found a great 'game' was to slowly lower my hand towards the cats head and pull away sharply each time it snaps, and then declaring 'got ya' out loud. Repeat a dozen or more times until bored and/or actually bitten. They are calculating and clever beasts, though, and soon learn... they will begin to stay motionless after a few of these dummy 'im going to get that hook out' hand actions, leaving you feeling secure... then at the last moment - CHOMP, and there goes another knuckle. 10/10 for entertainment value!
That night in Players whilst we sipped on some fine Icelandic gull beer and a nip of whisky or two, I somehow managed to get involved with the trips undisputed and unchallenged heavyweight. Thankfully, I escaped unharmed and was released back to the lads table for a session of reflecting and fishing plans for the future. As a side-note; for all that Iceland is great - you won’t drink much unless you remortgage your house or eBay all your prized possessions before flying out. That trip, as seen on the Features section, was a whole year ago already... that is one scary thought!
It’s hard to believe WSF’s yearly Luce Bay trip with Ian Burrett is just around the corner too. Last year’s experience was fantastic; everyone caught some fish and had a proper laugh, and most even learned something. The species count was terrific, and I managed to boat my first tope. This was a great chance for people in the WSF community to meet up, catch some fish, and have a beer... although on the pub front, i was so completely knackered after the rod bending tope action that I fell asleep against the bandit machine before 10pm - much to the amusement of the rest of the team. Needless to say, I left that part out of the TSF write-up. This year’s return trip promises to be equally fun filled, on both the fishing and social side of things. If the weathers nice, we might even have a WSF BBQ.
Later in 2007, Adam (BigAds, moderator) Mike Jnr and I travelled to Lochaline on the West of Scotland to see if we could get Mikeh his first skate. Despite his reputed unapproachable-ness, forum member Davy Holt kindly offered us a day out on his boat Catchalot, and crash space in is static caravan. For the duration of the trip, the wind truly blew a good-un’ and the rain lashed down, rendering any fishing efforts useless. Such was the intensity of the rain, the wet gear became saturated in moments... we retired to Davy’s static fishless and wet to the skin, but glad to be out of the storm.
Mike brought his Fox bed-chair and set it up in the middle of the van floor. As much as I believe that carp anglers really ought to man-up and loose some of their gear-for-wimps, this is the best bedding kit I had ever seen for on the road travels - as we sea anglers often are.
Bad weather summed up the year for me really, although I managed to catch some fish and have lots of fun despite this. Meets arranged through WSF really are a great way of catching some fish and meeting like-minded people.
THE SUN!
Enough of the past for one day... I have been dying to tell you all about my new gig that was borne right here in WSF thanks to my previous writings. I realise that this is utterly shameless, but hey. The Scottish Sun Newspaper have started a new weekly angling page, printed every Friday, and I have got the job of doing the Sea Angling column. This is a great opportunity to promote our sport, and I will be doing all I can to entertain and inform the nations anglers over the coming months.
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