Swansea - Morning Tea with Mr and Mrs Colmer

Swansea

July 2016

I hadn't planned on going to Swansea on Sunday but Ken has a way of convincing you that you dare not say 'no'. I agreed to go on the proviso that he could pick me up from the ramp at Blacksmith's around 7.30 as I had a prior engagement the evening before and hadn't planned to be conscious at 6am. He agreed and so I arrived a Blacksmith's at 7.30 ready to go. A quick phone call told me he and the missus were out off Moon Island chasing some salmon down deep (without much success). Ten minutes later they turned up and I joined what I thought was a happy boat. However no sooner had we stopped inshore of the island than it started:

"Geez Mac, what sort of cast was that?!"

"I don't see you with a rod in your hand Ken."

"Did you book into Morsie's casting class. It looks like you could use a few lessons."

"You know, I have no concerns about tossing a geriatric overboard."

And so it went on. And on and on and on.

Luckily I was soon onto a fish. But then ....

"Geez Chris how long are you going to play that thing. Stop wasting time."

"He's been at me all morning Chris, don't listen to him."

I tried to keep my head down and get the fish boated. Soon I had it to the surface and ...

"Are you gonna net the fish for him or what Ken? Stop bloody filming and get the net."

"Geez, I'm trying to film here. Can't you net the thing yourself?"

Luckily (for me? the fish? someone?) Ken took a few seconds to grab the net and land the first fish for the day. Then ...

"Come on Mac. What are you doing? Chris has already caught one fish. Can't you cast?"

And so it went on. And on and on.

It wasn't long however and Mac hooked into a nice fish.

"Geez Mac, what are you doing? Stop mucking around and land the fish."

"Are you going to net it for me?"

"Do you want me to? I'm busy filming"

I grabbed the net before it went any further and helped Mac land the fish.

We caught a couple more (one for Ken and another by Mac - I managed a solid hookup but dropped it) and then chased the fish for a bit longer, following them out past the island, even watching the school surface for a bit, causing a flurry of action from a number of boats.
But soon the activity died off and there were no further fish caught, and after a run outside we moved back into the channel.
Back in the channel there were teasing signs of fish everywhere. One jumping here, then another over there. Never in the same place twice.

I was rigging up a gurgler on a floating line when ...

"Do you have anything to eat Ken? I'm a bit hungry."

"What would you like Mac? I have some banana bread."

"That will do nicely."

"Did you want a drink with that?"

"Yes please."

"Whew," I thought. Looks like they've settle down. But no ...

"Geez that was a lousy cast Mac. Lucky you're doing the casting course with Morsie."

"I don't see you catching any fish Ken."

I kept quiet and cast out my gurgler hoping Ken didn't notice me.

And so we wiled away the rest of the morning. There was a bit of excitement when a fish boiled behind my gurgler about 20 feet from the boat. And a loud cheer from Ken when Mac hooked a monster fish which proceeded to snap the line where the head met the running line. But few fish were boated and we only saw Col Breese land a fish in the channel.

So by 11.45 we decided to call it a morning and head back to the ramp for a well earned steak sandwich and other people.

Reports of catches were mixed across the other club members with some landing half a dozen and others having a hard time of it. But all in all everyone had a great morning. The weather had cleared and we enjoyed a laugh and a good feed in the car park before heading off back home.

And so ended my morning out with Mr and Mrs Colmer. I thank them both for great company and a good laugh. However next time I think I'll go with Richard for some peace and quiet.