Swansea - September 2008

Swansea MkII

Date: September 2008

The difference weather wise between this trip and our last foray to Swansea was like chalk and cheese. Rain and strong wind gave way to sunshine and generally balmy conditions. That wasn’t the only major change, but more on that later. The roll up was great, with Mac Lyall, Roy Browne, Chris Bannerman, Col Breese, Richard Montgomery, Dan Cleary, Ken Colmer and Hamish Read launching; Damian Webber, Jimmy Hyatt, Paul McGrath, Murray Keating, Russell Piper, Pete Frere, Bob Williams and Gerryn Read acting as crew. Last but by no means least was Dan‘s ever enthusiastic first mate, Jonesy the wonder dog . The boats moved out, some scouting the area where we had success before with the rest heading out to Moon Island. Hamish, Ken and Dan motored down to the “Catho” Pier while the rest mooched around M.I.. Ken and Dan returned after finding nowt while Hamish & co pushed on. Mac and Pete decided to attack the seaward side of Moonie, where they got a couple of touches early on which fuelled optimism. Then Mac unveiled his cunning secret weapon; a sinking line that floats! Imagine, something bought cheap off the internet turning out to be a dud. Who’d have thunk it! Mac and Pete’s persistence turned up results, at least as far as company was concerned. Like bees to a honey pot boats came sniffing around and such was the quiet run of play even vague stories of “touches” was enough and soon 4 boats were flogging the waters. There was a bit of a swell and the water was crystal clear; the bottom visible even without Polaroids in up to 6ms. Conditions were great, but…. Little by little enthusiasm waned and folk made their way back inside after trying the landward side of the Island, to no avail. Back in the channel every feature deemed a fish attracting area, drop off, rock bar, you name it got a flick out of someone or another. No go. A far cry from our last trip which saw fish in abundance. The back channel near the bridge was investigated and Mac was soon hooked up. Unfortunately the Mangrove tree won the argument and it has the fly to prove it, despite Mac’s crotch soaking efforts to retrieve a prized tying effort. More disappointment prompted a tea break. Spirits renewed it was back to Moonie with more of the same; much effort, no result. With 12:30 approaching it was time to motor back to the ramp and compare dance cards. The results? Richard bagged a pigeon pair of salmon [ 61cm ], Hamish, Gerryn and Bob followed a stream of birds south untill they found several huge schools of salmon and spent a few happy hours catching and releasing bags of fish, the lucky f, the lucky f.f, the lucky f.f.f….fly fishermen! However the catch of the day went to Jimmy Hyatt, with the capture of a Gurnard, a first for Jimmy on fly and for the club. As usual Ken’s site-ting and provisioning of the Barbie was impeccable. Chef Roy f*u#%!! Ramsey’s efforts were notable by the pockets of silence they produced as people were too busy munching to share a joke or comment, a rare event when our members meet. A glorious day, only next time we will have to remember to invite the fish!