Slinky Kate 25th March 2012

[Norman]

Out at last . (report of Sat 24th March)

more of a test trip today since I've been laid up lately with a siezed (closed) Raw water intake valve and had to await the best time to take out and replace (and antifoul and polish at same time)

Great to report all systems go no overheating no steaming in exhaust all 100% fine.....

So, off we went, after looking outside the door I feared it was a no go today because of the mist but thought we ought to at least go and look just in case.
Couldn't see a hand in front as I left home but as the river drew nearer the mist around the river seemed to vanish, maybe more popolated or industrial heat or something but it certainly looked much better.

Left marina at about 6.30am and tried some close in spots with the first fish of the season coming some 2 to 3 minutes into the fishing (a weeny scotchie to myself).
due to the mist we decided to stay inshore and keep away from any shipping that might be around which resulted in a visit to St Marys ........
not long into it and at the first stop Tony was into the first codling of the day a few pounds of nice fighting fish........
As we got further north the mist got worse and in an hour or so the tyne fog horn could be heard so obviously it had moved south (the mist not the tyne fog horn )
we tried and tried but unfortunately that was it for the day .... thought hard about going out wrecking and hoping the mist might clear but signs were that it was worsening.
So, tests complete and all in order we decide to have an early finish.

An experience certainly coming in throught the piers on instruments only ... wow the pier should be right by our side ....... WHOA so it was some 15 feet away then itching up the river bouy to bouy and jetty to jetty ........ thank goodness for instruments .... Never know how me dad would have managed it in his day with no instruments

roll on now the season has begun ..... (well we did catch something I suppose )

couple of pics of the day ....

The first fish (just)




Tonys first codling ....



And the pier (rater close to be able to see it



at least we have started the season ...

cheers for viewing

norm

[KeithB]

Pleased to hear everything is running as it should be

[lingking]

hard work norman but worth it to see the smile on the face of tony

[dave craig]

nice to read the first report of many Norman - the mist was unreal this weekend!

[easyfish1]

well done norman, first fish eh...look forward to more reports

[northeast1]

Nice start to the season with a fish and flat sea...just dont mention the fog.

Until next weekend i am sure

[Kev1n]

Nice one Norman and Tony. That’s good news about Slinky being fully operational, I spotted her back in the marina when we left at 10:00. Today must have been one of the rare occasions that an early start didn’t pay off because this mist cleared a lot by the afternoon. Fishing didn’t improve much except for one hotspot.

[The Jester]

Great report Norman, and good to hear all is well with Slinky, top marks for navigation..

[The Great Wallsendo]

Certainly was interesting coming back up the Tyne couldn't see a thing - never ever been in soup like that

one fish better than no fish, priority was Slinky running test and all go go go on that scale

Deck Hand is learning to drive safely next weekend so good luck all who get out

[Norman]

Cheers for replies lads, I've been out many times when the mist has come down but this (at least at the point in time we chose to return) was something else.
Instruments were fine but even after first and second bouy we couldnt see anything, usually by that time in the harbour the mist eases.
We chugged past the Lifeboat and heard on the radio that the tyne ferry had been halted, unforunately we had to hug the north bank all the way back to the marina and I apologise to the fishermen who had to pull in lines to let us past, we simply couldn't see the middle or other side of the river, even back at marina it was still banked in mist.

Of course by the time we had filleted our "fish" and washed and cleaned up the sun was poking through and mist clearing ...... as kevin pointed out the early start this weekend didn't pay off. Still, we did get the test out of the way and are now ready to rumble ...

norm

[canman]

Just noticed this report Norman, good to see you've wet a line and both got fish.
Looked like an a.se clenching ride back into the Tyne, you need big rubber fenders up front. Good report, see you's both out there soon.