Scotland Visit

On the 3rd of July I took my Kayak for a holiday, well I felt it needed a break. I went to a place called Ardmair Point on the West Coast of Scotland. It was at this place 3 years ago that I decided I would like a Kayak. It was, I thought, the ideal place to use one. Having spent a couple of weeks there with a Kayak I still think it's the ideal place but there is an if, it is, if you get the right weather. I was unlucky and had gales and a lot of rain but made the best of it and still enjoyed hours of pleasure catching Pollack and Mackeral.

  Using the Kayak in Scotland

Launching at Ardmair

River Mouth

Was that a spot of rain???

Unfortunately I was unable to use the Kayak for the last couple of days. I went out one morning with great expectations after a lull in the weather. I was hoping to catch myself a nice Sea Trout but alas, it wasn't to be. After being out on the water for about 5 minutes I was aware that something didn't feel quite right. I wasn't sure whether it was the Kayak or my sense of balance. Then, when I stopped it felt worse, as if I could capsize very easily. After that I noticed more water around my feet near the mirage drive than was normal. So, I opened the hatch in the hull and found it was half full of water.
I realised I had serious problem and made for the shore as quickly and as smoothly as I possibly could. After what seemed like 15 minutes (probably more like 10) I got to the shore and capsized. Once I found my feet I tried dragging the Kayak up the beach. I didn't get far because I could barely move it as it was so heavy. It was only after I opened up the hatch at the stern and allowed gallons of water to flow out that I was able to move it any further.
It didn't take long to find the cause of this near disaster, it was a hole inside one of the scuppers. This was caused but the use of the plug in cart made by Hobie. This cart plugs into the Hobie scuppers to enable the Kayak to be pulled up the beach. This, over the course of a year, has worn a hole through the plastic.
I am now waiting to see how Hobie and Bournemouth Canoes are going to respond to this problem. What ever happens I will not be using the plug in cart again.

So I'm a Jinx

The last couple of times I've been out I have been alone and not caught much. Tim on the other hand, and Chris his son, the new kid on block with regards to Kayak fishing, have done rather better. Bass to 3 and a half pounds and some bream. So, I gladly accepted the invite to fish with them and see whether I could learn something from the smug duo.

We set of early after digging some enormous ragworm and started fishing the mouth of the Beaulieu river. I got a few bites followed by a couple of Bream. We then decided to up anchore and follow a flock of diving birds in the hope of getting some Mackerel. It soon became clear there were no Mackerel , just small bass. So, we went back to the mouth of Beaulieu river and tried some more for the alleged 3 and a half pound Bass.

So what about the 3 and half pound Bass? I asked, it's you, was the reply, you are a jinx.

Our luck didn't improve so we called it a day. An enjoyable day apart from the lost of a rod holder that I was using as a club against the Bream pictured on the plate. I was trying to end it's suffering and hit my thumb as well as the fish which resulted in me dropping the rod holder. Another piece of my fishing equipment to end up at the bottom of Beaulieu river.

It looked better before it was cooked.

We have a fish!!

Got up to a dull but calm morning to go bait digging and then spend the day fishing. I spent a few hours the previous evening getting my stuff together so that I didn't forget anything. I'm not sure what Tim did about his preparation but when he arrived at Lepe and got his fork and wellies out of the car he found had two left feet and one boot about 3 inches taller than the other. Poor lad I guess he's nearing 50 and the mind is going, he did at least manage to find two of the same colour so, he had to dig wearing his Yaking boots.

More fun than digging the garden.

What fishermen?

The plan of the day was to head towards Calshot and follow the tide up and then return to Lepe when the tide was on the ebb. We didn't have much in the way of action until we came across some beach fishermen. The didn't say much but seemed a little agitated by our presence so we kept our distance. I was quite happily fishing away in a world of my own when I heard one of miserable buggers shouting something like, you've got all that sea why are you fishing here. I realised that I had drifted over his line and he realised he had caught a Kayak. So we parted company with the fishermen and moved out a bit further from the shore. I had no idea they could cast so far out.

Side saddle, see how stable these yaks are!

On our way back towards Lepe I got a couple of bites followed by a Bass. Not a big fish but at least it was a fish. It wasn't the best days fishing but thoroughly enjoyable just to be out in the fresh air and the beautiful surroundings which at times we take for granted.

The Fish

I see now why it fought, scary isn't it!

Chilling out.

Anyone for a beer.

Thanks for the photos Tim.

Fishermen re-united

I had found it bit lonely out there on my own the last 6 months or so Kayak fishing , so you can imagine how pleased I was to hear that Tim had taken the plunge so to speak, and decided to get himself a Kayak.

Now that the Florida fishing adventure is just a memory the Mick 'n' Tim fishing duo are trying something a bit different. The luxury of a boat with the latest electronic gadgetry, powerful engine and enough room to swing several cats has gone, we are now fishing the way some have been fishing for hundreds of years, the primitive kayak.

The Dolphins

It was Tims first day out in his Kayak. I had assured him a while back how stable these little Kayaks were and with the sea so calm, what could possibly go wrong?

We set out from Lepe beach and headed in the direction of Calshot. Tim had suggested we might paddle off to Keyhaven but I talked him out of it.

Launching from Lepe

The day was spent trying different spots around Lepe without much success and ending at the mouth of Beaulieu river. Still no fish but it was nice watching the geese from the Kayaks. When watching from they shore they do not let you get so close. I thought that maybe I should have taken my new camera with it's powerful zoom lens and got some great photos, it being so calm, it would probably have been fine.

To end the day we decided to give the other side of the Beaulieu river one last try to avoid blanking on the fish front. After I had dropped anchor I checked to see that I was not the wrong side of the post that marks the channel of the river. The peace and serenity of the day was then shattered with my spluttering and splashing as I capsized my Kayak. Getting it the right way up was no easy task. Then, like a big fat seal I got back onto my Kayak and surveyed the damage. I lost my rod, drowned my phone and wounded my pride. I half expected to see Tim snapping away with his new camera but, he did look a little concerned. So I got wet and cold and Tim got a free lesson of how not to turn suddenly when sat on your Kayak. The sudden shift of my bulk was all it took.

So as I sloshed my way down the beach, my dry suit bottoms holding a gallon or so of water, towing my Kayak behind me I thought, well that was different.

Looking forward to the next day of Kayak fishing..........................................