Product Review - Seal Skinz Mid Weight Knee Length Sock

• Anatomically designed knee length fit
• Close fitting knitted construction
• Merino wool pile lining for warmth and moisture control
• Poodle padding on the toe, sole and Achilles panel for extra comfort
• Elasticated instep and Achilles ankle panel provide support and ensure a close, comfortable fit

I''m a fairly hardy soul when it comes to being out and about in all weathers fishing but cold/damp feet is something that can really give me the homing instinct quick time. Coupled with the fact my feet seem to eat boots/wellies etc and create leaks in my footwear relatively quickly is not a great situation for me. So when my friend who is a hardcore cyclist suggested I check out Sealskinz products I took his recommendation as I knew he was regularly out in cold wet conditions.

Now with a recommended retail price of £34.95 for a pair of socks and being tight by nature you can guess I initially wasn't super keen to fork out that on socks (cheapest I've found is £25ish online). But on researching more there were a lot of positive comments to be found online from a very diverse range of sports, but all being mostly conducted in cold and wet conditions; rowing, fishing, cycling, hiking etc. 

In the hand they feel slightly odd to touch, mainly due to the triple layered construction with the middle one being a waterproof membrane. But once on they are extremely comfortable due to them being designed to fit the foot/ankle/calf snugly rather than just a traditional sock 'tube'. 

On the comfort side I've worn these on long rambling 8 hour fishing sessions covering a good distance several times now and they are superb, padding round the feet takes a lot of the impact (of my) plodding steps and I have noticed a reduction in how sore my feet are after long walks/sessions (which I generally suffer due to having fallen arches). The snug elasticated outer layer adds to this without being over tight, almost making it feel like an extra layer of skin rather than a product or piece of clothing being worn. 

The waterproof nature of these socks is the most remarkable and one I only really trialed due to an error on my part. I was going out and had brought the wrong boots (not waterproof ones) and decided to test the socks out. Before setting off across the rocks to the low tide point I had a bit of a walk through some rock-pools about ankle deep in water. I was pleasantly surprised that I felt absolutely no water or even slight dampness. Baring in mind all I had on was an old battered pair of hiking boots this was an unexpectedly good result in my opinion. 

After a few hours on the rocks and having to wade shallow stretches (no more than ankle to calf deep) a few times I was intrigued to take of my now soaking boots and see what the socks them selves were like. I knew my feet were dry and warm. On removing the boots the outer layer of the socks was as soaking as the boots themselves and on turning them inside out bone dry as I knew they would be. 

Since then I've worn them a few times on dryer sessions and with hot sweaty feet they work well in reverse taking moisture away from the skin. I can't speak highly enough about these socks and I'm already eyeing a shorter pair for the summer and some of their hats and gloves.

Codless once again

Well another trip out organised to try and get a cod or two for the table. Jim, Brad and myself planned to meet up just past Elephant Rock. Jim and Brad were going to get there early to book the spot and then I was to follow once I'd been freed from the shackles of work.

So dark a clock when I arrived and after a wee hike along the cliff top and down the field, wee scramble and there I was on the rocks with the guys. They'd been there about two hours, had a few bites but nothing landed as yet. Quick to set up the rod and get a bait out quick smart as ever. It was a fairly quiet night bite wise but after an hour Jim had a bit of a disaster his line caught round his night light and stripped off his tip eye from his rod. Nightmare as he had no spare with him.

Deciding to fish on was a good decision as next cast for Jim went, nod, nod, nod and resulted in a nice 5.4lb Cod. Soon Brad was into action as well with a reasonable 2lber. Second cast with his broken rod  Jim had a second cod, this time around 6.5lb. 3 fish in a 20 mins period and that was that unfortunately on the fish front. An amazing night sky and some good banter made an enjoyable night but another blanker for me.

Wee trip to say hello to Sharpie - Day 2

Day two started with unexpected torrential rain, but as there wasn't much wind we thought a conger bash at Cullen harbour. That was quickly needed to be re thought as when we arrived it was obviously not safe on the harbor wall. Three hours to high tide and waves already coming over the wall. The picture doesn't do them justice but there were some huge lumps of water hitting the harbour and streaming across Cullen bay towards the beach. Quite an awesome sight to watch but far to heavy a sea to fish nearby, or so we thought. Next stop was Portknockie.

We didn't think we had a chance of fishing there and only went for some photos (did get one I am pretty fond of). The headland here was actually providing the harbour with more protection than we thought, and though the outer wall and breakwater were off limits the inner harbour and fishing into the harbour mouth were definitely safe.  After watching for a while just to make sure we set up. One rod each into the harbour mouth behind the breakwater and one each into the harbour hoping for a conger.

Sharpie made the break through first with a small coalie followed by a couple of angry shore crabs. I got my own blank off with a tiny pollock. Still they are all fish lol.

All this time Sharpies conger rod was getting we knock knock knocks, ratchet drags but nothing more. I was fairly sure it was either a large crab or lots of small fish and decided to test the theory by changing out the conger rig far another flapper.

Sure enough this quickly led to the culprits unveiling with a coalie quickly tacking the bait as soon as the lead hit the bottom. Lots and lots of coalies later the only other 'species' to appear was an edible crab. Pity the sea state stopped us with our other plans but a fun few hours. never the less.

Hopefully cod o'clock after tomorrows trip...

Wee trip to say hello to Sharpie

After an invite up to Elgin to stay with Sharpie for a night, we decided to meet up as Sandend Bay for a few hours fishing into night then see what the following day would bring weatherwise before we decided where to go.

On arrival the weather was cloudy but reasonably warm (for the time of year) and the wind no more than a stiff breeze. First thoughts were to target flatties until dark O'clock then see if there were any silver spikies about. As there were half dozen to a dozen or so surfers in the bay when we arrived we walked towards the far end of the beach to set up and see what was about. Lots of different baits went out, mackie, squid  lug, sand eel  bluey and prawns.


Things started well, first in was myself with a not bad flounder of 22cm. This was quickly followed by a belter Sharpie reeled in, 29 cm and pretty chunky.

All I was getting was casting practice (but I need it :))and stripped baits. Sharpie was much the same till after another hour he landed a lovely double shot of fat flounders at 28 and 27 cms.


The wind was building and the skies becoming more menacing as dark fell. But this didn't stop Sharpie. Another double shot of flounder 27 and 29cms.

So the flattie bash part of the session went well (for Sharpie 5-1) for the couple of hours we were at it. Unfortunately the bass hunt never really got began. A couple of casts in we were hit by a really strong wind and heavy (and bloody sore) hail storm. And after I just managed to stop my tripod going over for the second time we decided discretion was the better part of valour. We were lashed all the way back to the cars with pretty big hails stones, face and hands stinging by the time we got the gear stowed and off to Sharpies for some scran and to plan day 2.

Usan and beyond

So short trip up to Dundee to meet Jimmy a few how do you dos etc and off we went to Usan to start with.

First stance was a nice rocky outcropping it had a channel behind but we reckoned we had about 2hrs fishing there before we'd have to move. there were a lot of creels close in and a creel boat working them so we had to be pretty careful casting but there were a few nibbles to keep us there for a bit and I missed one cracking bite. But though the sea was fairly calm to start with over the first hour it got up a fair bit so with safety in mind we moved round to another spot.

The move here produced a lot more positive bites, with combos of lug, squid, crab, bluey and mackerel all getting interest. Firstly Jimmy has getting a few nice big knocks but nothing was hooking up. I was getting some nice bites as well but was missing them. But that was just the start of the frustration. Next wee nibble I get set to strike felt it again and, fish on. I felt a decent fish (nothing massive) thumping its tail and knocking its head. In it came until things just seized up, into a bloody snag. Nothing would shift it, I slackened off the line and left it for a while hoping the fish would lift it out but not to be. I pulled for a break and the bloody swivel went and not my weak link. More frustration to come. Next cast right back to the same spot and after only about 2 mins same again; nibble, strike, fish on, snag and broken off. The air was blue, I can laugh now but was pretty annoyed then lol.

We moved again shortly after and tried another spot but with nothing doing we decided to have round to Elephant Rock.

Again out with the rods there were loads of wee bites from the off. Jimmy got the blank off pretty soon with a small but super fat rockling and with that decided to move to the other side of where we were as he'd heard of conger being hooked.
With the bites dying off I moved over to where Jimmy was fishing to see what was what. Shortly after he had a couple of decent bites and as he lifted up his rod it slammed over and it was obvious he had something decent on. Was it cod or conger? As Jimmy was fighting it he said he could feel it rolling over and over so we both thought conger. And so it was as Jimmy quickly got it to the surface a big black shape appear below us. I'd skipped down on to some lower rocks to help land it and got a really good view, it was death rolling over and over like I've seen crocodiles on the telly and was getting wrapped up in the trace. I reckon it was in the 10-15lb range and was giving Jimmy a hell of a battle. hen just as it was out of the water and starting up to us the line went. Arrrrgh another lost fish. Looked like it had bitten through the line. Was a killer when Jimmy remembered he had a drop net in the car! Jimmy was buzzing, exasperated and exhilarated all in one. We fished on another hour but nothing more came of the session.

We're planning to go back and land the fecker soon.

Sick Kids Charity Comp - Eiliot Beach Arbroath

Sunday was the annual charity fishing competion to raise some badly needed funds for the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh. I had been looking forward to this as it had always clashed with other things and this was the first time I was free to fish it.



Early arrivals wait for the start

Registration was 8 - 9 a.m. with fishing 9:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. and it was a pegged match which means you pull a number out of a hat and the luck (or lack of it) give you your stance on the beach for the day. I pulled out 22 from the hat and after exchanging a few hellos with some folk wnodered down to see where I was on the beach. Turned out I had been drawn right next to another Jedi SAC member, Sultzer. We were down at the peg early so had a lot of time to chat to others as they came down to the beach to find their own pegs.

Weather was absolutely beautiful and there was just a gentle breeze in the air and nice a warm. Perfect for a sociable days fishing catching up with some folk I'd not seen in a while and hopefully also catching a few :)

And we are off

My second wee flounder

After a waiting a while the time came to start fishing. As it was a catch and release competition everyone was limited to fishing with one rod and a rig with no more than three hooks on it. Fishing was slow for me all day long, but there were some really nice Turbot being landed all along the beach. Unfortunately now chanced by my hooks and all I had to show for the day was two small flounders. Still won a case of beers and another couple of things in the raffle.

Best of all the day raised over £2,000 for the Royal Sick Children's Hospital in Edinburgh. 

Scouting Crail

Saturday pasts plan was to scout some potential winter cod marks to see the lie of the land over a low tide and possibly winkle out a few fishes to boot. To cut a long story short the scouting gave some potential for winter and the fishing was a big fat blanker. I moved about a fair bit but to no end unfortunately. Ah well next time :)

St Andrews

After not getting out for a wee dangle of hooks for over three weeks I was set to get out this Friday. -high tide around 8 p.m. and a weather forecast of little wind a some rain. Well the tide was right lol, bright shies high could no rain and a fair gusty wind from the SE.

Just my second trip to St Andrews pier with the last being a flounder fest I was hopeful for a few fish. Two main rods out off the pier end one left to the rockier stuff and one a bit right onto sand plus the mini species rod just over the side of the pier wall. Nothing for the first half hour or so until my mini species rod buckled immediately after a re-bait. It is an extremely light rod so I knew it was nothing massive but certainly not a blenny lol. Soon a double hook up of two wee pollock appeared. Released then rebaited and again almost immediately another slightly larger single pollock appeared. Not exactly ground breaking big fish but pretty fun on the light rod whilst I waited on something to take on the big rods and there were the usual progression of folk coming for a chat to break the time.


Not long to wait for a thumping bite on my left rod over the rocky ground, strike, hook up and I thought I'd missed as I cold feel no weight on the line until I saw the unsightly sea scorpion coming in. Must be a very powerful fish for its size as it weighed next to nothing but its bite was that of a much bigger fish. Ugly beggar but my 18th species of the year :)

Fairly quickly afterwards my other big rod went and there was a wee bit of weight on it this time and a couple of thumps on the rod on the way in, up the pier side and a nice plump flounder about a lb.

I stayed another couple of hours but that was it on the fish front, not even another bites just three bait robbing crabs.

Looking forward to a Jedi trip west next weekend, hopefully something a bit bigger :)

A week in Gairloch

With the family congregating in a holiday house (Lochside Cottage) for a week the rods were packed for a few wee sessions when I could sneak out.

In front of Lochside Cottage

Lochside cottage panorama

Long Spined Sea Scorpion

Stu and Me, Lochside Rocks

First full day in the house after we'd all got unpacked my dad, brother and I decided to have a wonder down to the rocks in front of the house to see if there was anything doing fishwise. Three spinning rods plus my mini species rod. A wee bit cool when we got down but there were a few birds working the water which made us hopeful of a few mackies at least for the pan and as bait. Walking up and down the shore a few 100 yards there were big differences in the depth (around high tide) from just inches to 20+ feet. Whilst Dad and Stu started with feathers and spinners I scavenged a few mussels and put out the mini rod before joining them hunting macks. It was to be a short few casts only and the lack of any fish shortened it a bit. Wee bit disappointing as a fish fest on the door step would have been a treat. Luckily for me the mini species beat my blank with a lovely ugly wee sea scorpion.



Sands Rocks

Sands Beach and Rocks



Me on the rocks



Next morning with the family going for a walk along the beach with the twins I decided to go ahead and have a few casts and to scout around a bit more. Nice deep water and kelp on one side with shallower water and sand on the other. Looked very very fishy to me. I had very little bait yet so again opted for spinning (jelly worm) and mini species rod with a few more scavenged mussels. Having packed light I made the most and had a few casts and moved round the rocks regularly. First few spots were deep, rocky and full of kelp but alas no fish, no bites no nothing. Bit disappointing but  was the way. As the tide was rising I had to move round a bit as the front of the rocks are enclosed around mid tide (very large and safe in calm seas but I did not have the time to stay). I found another likely spot at the back with a very wide deep kelp filled gully. Again out with the jelly worms and in with the mini species rods. Same outcome with nothing taking the lures had a few knocks on the mini rod that had me hoping for a flattie or a small coalie or pollock only to find a bait robbing crab which was followed by several more. First blanker of the holiday. Still think that there are fish there lol.

Gairloch Harbour

Gairloch Harbour

Wee Sea Trout



After a trip to Red Point on the south side of Gairloch and failing to find a way to the rocks at  Port Henderson, I wanted to try for pollock, on the way. I decided to pull in the harbour at Gairloch and try for mackies and minis. Pier was reasonably full with family groups of holiday makers mostly with wee rods spinning with mepps or the like so I had to set up further down the pier that I'd have liked. I could see lots of mackies were being caught along the pier end but I had nothing at all from my first dozen casts or so. I was glad when eventually I felt the feathers tagged and the rod get heavy as I only wanted a few macks as bait. Fullhouse of four was enough for me, one filleted there and then and some tiny wee baits cut up to see if there were any minis under the pillings. Straight away the baits were all being hammered very quickly and stripped, coalies were my thought but over the next half hour I was proved wrong as I pulled in tiny pollock after tiny pollock along with one wee sea trout. Was fun on the light gear but I had hoped for wrasse and blennies but none to be had. 

Portia of Poole

Portia of Poole in Gairloch Harbour

Going for a different tack we decided to book a trip out on one of the charters based in Gairloch Harbour North West Cruises. Being tight timewise we couldn't book a day trip so a three hour general fishing afternoon trip it was. First off cracking boat to fish from lots of room as it has a nice wide beam giving a lot of deck space and a great couple of guys, skipper Jody and Dee, running the boat. Plan was to get some mackies as bait and then  move to ground that should hold ling and pollock.


Gairloch is a stunning place and the steam out to Longa Island near the mouth was a great opportunity to see the landscape from a different angle. Once we'd stopped the whole boat was quickly into mackerel. Really small for the most part but the odd monster was landed. It soon became a bit of a game to try to get through the wee macks to get the the bigger ones that were obviously at the bottom of the shoal. To be fair not many biggies were caught as the wee ones were kamikazeing themselves on everyone's hooks. My brother got a couple of the biggest that were both 1lb+ and into the bait box they went.

My First Ling

After a short while on the mackerel we moved over the otherside of the loch's mouth to fish over ground that should throw up some ling. Hokkais with the freshly caught mackerel went down into much deeper water. Fishing just off the bottom I could fell a lot of bites but was missing them (maybe just tiddlers nibbling the bait) until fairly quickly I connected with a good bite and landed a small ling of 1lb or so. Delighted as it was my first ling ever. Re-bait and hooks back down and I quickly doubled my ling count with a bigger one of 3-4lbs. I was a happy camper but no one else had had a sniff one that patch so it was another move to some reef's that the skipper said should hold some decent pollock. Baited hokkai's and a jelly worm on a boom were the tactics here. Quite quickly another species was onboard when my dad got a triple shot of coalies a few more were landed round the boat, before a young lad behind us had his rod fold on him and with no help (other than getting it over the side) landed a decent pollock of 4-5lbs. That was quickly followed by 2-3lb'er to another guy on the opposite side of the boat and a small 1-2lb'er for myself. All the time a few larger macks were still coming into the boat, then shortly before our time would be up my brother's rod took a massive knock and he had obviously connected with something nice and big as his rod was nod, nod nodding and had me thinking decent cod. But unfortunately after having it on for about 10-15 seconds it was off and away leaving my brother somewhat peeved to put in lightly. A few more fish caught, but nothing of note before we were off back to harbour. A really enjoyable trip the only pity being we couldn't get out for longer.

Gairloch Harbour

Stu and me Gairloch Harbour

That evening my sister in-law (fueled by the tales from that afternoon's trip I think) fancied going down to the harbour to try and catch something. A few folk on the harbour but not as many as the previous day so all three of us had room closer to the end of the pier. From the off it didn't look great as there wasn't any catches from those that were there already and a couple of seals patrolling around. Still it was a good chance for Lynsey to get to grips with casting and there was always the possibility of the macks appearing at any point. First cast Lynsey caught a street light and second cast the pier :D. There were a couple of very very small (almost mini species size) mackerel caught at the pier end but that was it for the whole time that we were there for the 8 or so rods that were fishing. Still over the course of the hour and a half or so Lynsey's casting improved greatly and we all had a good craic. But it was soon time to get back to relieve my folks who were looking after Stu and Lynsey's twins (and open a cold beer) so pack to HQ it was without a sniff of a fish for the three of us.

Portia of Poole trip 2

Motoring between Marks

After missing a really good fish my brother was very keen to book another trip out with North West Cruises and Dad and I did not take much convincing. As there were a few younger kids on the trip we could make it was only going to be two hours out fishing but in the same format, some mackies for bait then general fishing primarily hopefully for ling and pollock again. This was a trip I'll long remember but not for the fishing (although good for a short trip) but the unexpected visitors... To start with it was a similar trip to the last one with mackies coming thick and fast as well as coalies (a triple shot of coalies puts a fair bend in yer rod! Much more than similar sized macks).

Dashing Dolphin (photo courtesy of Dad)

As we were all reeling in to move on Stu caught a splash further out in the loch and as we all turned to look saw several dolphins breach a few hundred yards away. Fishing forgotten for now we moved over to a parallel course to them (giving then a fair distance as they obviously had young). That distance wasn't good for them as they wanted to play and they rushed over to play in our bow wave. One minute fishing for mackerel next surrounded by 20-30 dolphins arcing around the boat quite often almost close enough to touch. What an unbelievable experience, I've seen them fairly close from the shore but never in such a close sustained way as from the boat. They were obviously just having a great time cavorting and darting around the boat, amazing how the tiny wee calves keep up the speed of the whole pod. They must be born with rocket packs! And with that they were off chasing mackies for tea, probably a good 20mins or more round the boat, but there was about an hour of fishing left and back to it I went.



I was first in with a ling of about 2 lb, this was followed round the boat with a load of coalies. Things went quiet for a while with lots of rattling bites but no catches till Stu followed by me caught a couple of the bait robbers, pin whiting! Wee buggers. Lots of re baiting with them stealing everything off the hooks quick smart. I never knew I had my last catch of the day when I found I had a little pout when re-baiting. I was happy with four species as we had probably only fished for an hour between the dolphins and moving about marks. Another enjoyable session which had me even more determined to go back for a full day deep sea trip :)

In front of Lochside

Lochside Rocks

View over Gairloch 

My last day I decided to try on the rocks right in front of the house again. With folk spinning off the rocks I wanted to be on I moved a few hundred yards along the coast. First few casts showed that this was very shallow in all directions. Two bait rods, one my ever present mini species rod and my bass rod with a flapper as far out as I could get it. It was a beautiful day and to be honest I wasn't fishing hard and more just sitting on the rocks letting time go by soaking in the scenery and the scarcely glimpsed sun. Once again crabs was all that came ashore and though I would have liked to end on a fish and not a blank it was a lovely couple of hours to end the holiday fishingwise.

Back for more???

Well lots of places I wanted to fish and never managed has left me wanting more, Firemore Bay looked very deep close in at low tide and the beach itself looked likely for a variety of flatfish as did Sands. I never got out to Rhue Rhea lighthouse that looks so pollocky as well. Top of the list of wants is a full day trip on the Portia of Poole with the guys of North West Cruises  out to the back of Skye and Rhona. But it was a superb holiday and pretty good fishwise with five new species for the year (LSSS, Ling, Mackerel, Sea Trout and Pout) countless dozens of mackies and mini pollock, need to go for a fortnight next time.

Lots of driving, lots of midgies and a few fish

Well the plan was a nice leisurely rive over to Lochaline to fish the West Pier overnight on Friday night and then stop somewhere on the way back on Saturday. Beautiful day for a drive in the countryside through Perthshire and Glen Coe. Bit of a hold up going through Glen Coe for an accident (nobody hurt badly thankfully) but let me to get a couple of nice pics of the scenery. When I got to the Corran Ferry it dawned on me that it was the first time this year I'd been across on it. It's a strange wee ferry to cross a small spanse of water, always makes me think that a bridge would make more sense, but I'd be pretty sad if a bridge did get put up. Funny how small things like that can give you a feeling of well being, it like the gateway to the wilderness. Unfortunately on getting over to Lochaline I found half of it filled with logs and the other half filled with anglers with the same idea. I had a chat with them and they's only had a doggie and a small conger for the 6 odd hours they'd been fishing between the 8 odd of them. They said they'd make room but with me meeting Sharpie and Nikki I didn't think that there was nearly enough room for another 3 of us. Next thought was the Sheepshed but it had a family of Dutch ensconced in a camper van so no room at the inn again. Two hours and 60 miles later I passed the Corran Ferry again with the rods never leaving the car. So where to go, my banker in the area is Camasnagaul Ferry Landing so that's where I decided, phoned Sharpie to arrange to meet there.

That night turned out to be a doggie-a-thon and all tiny as well. Fort William seemed like it was jumping shrieking, hollering, loud dance music and sirens. Funny how different things can look at a bit of distance as the photo I took that night makes it look so serene. After about three hours we packed it in as there was nothing moving bar the doggies and planned to get up early to fish the tide down on daylight.

After a fairly fitful sleep in the motor I was up the back of six and back out with the rods. That's when I realised it was still calm and was hit with a wave of midgies. Honestly in all the summers I've spent in the west I have never ever experienced anything like that. Clouds and clouds of the wee scottish vampires.  I am glad to report that Skin so Soft works wonders as the midgies were out in full force and I only got bitten 6 six times even though I was surrounded by 1000's. Sharpie and Nikki were more sensible than me staying in their tent till the wind pick up and blew them away.

Still fishingwise I had a reasonable thornie of 4lb odd and a couple more doggies to add the the bulk load the night previously. But sharpie when he venured out had a wee species hunt landing a Grey Gurnard (my target unfulfilled for the weekend) then a doggie, dab double hit followed by a codling and a wee thornie. So 5-2 in Sharpies favour species wise but I had the bulk of numbers in all the doggies from Friday. Would rather have had the Grey Gurnard though. Will be back to get one :)

Got a few nice shots of the local swans as well.

Wee head clearing session

After not being out for a month and being tied up with other things lately I took the window of opportunity to get out and dangle some hooks in the water at Riverside again. Tide timings etc were not great but at the mo I just need to get out when I can so was there and fishing an hour past low tide. The water was manky dark so just fished one rod as I didn't expect much.

 One chap fishing to the right of me with what looked like baited sabikis and another to my left fisihing similarly to me with a three hook flapper, bait of choice good old raw prawns.

I got chatting to the guy to my left (as usual never asked his name) and he was just getting back into fishing after seeing folk down the Riverside. He asked me to ID a fish he had caught over on the Fifie side just before low tide. Turned out to be a nice bass about 1.5-2lbs he had caught on fresh crab he had scavenged where he was fishing from. Jammy git :)

Baits were getting stripped and the rods rattled constantly but clean hooks were coming in all the time, tiny flatties the most likely culprits and they were soon proved to be as I landed three in two casts. It was just after these had been caught that a wee flash of silver caught my eye close into the wall and when I looked there were 100's of sandeels (or similar) boiling the water for about 20 yards either side of where I was standing (maybe further) not sure if that is normal for the Tay or not though? Would've thought the water too brackish.

I'd only brought bait for a short session so after about three hours I packed up, out of bait, with another three flounders to my name, six for the session (no photos as there was nothing of note totally average for Riverside).

Still the object was to clear the head and that was achieved and without a blank, hopefully a more productive session over the weekend though.

Mull of Galloway trip

Day 1 - Terally Bay



Terally Bay

 An uneventful drive down to the chalets were were staying at in Ardwell, quick look round chuck all necessary gear into the chalet and of we went to wet the first lines of the trip. A nice easy mark to begin with for us soft east coasters a short walk down the pebbly banking from the lay by to the shoreline set up and fish :) Not the most favorable conditions fairly flat sea, gin clear and a very bright skies. Still on holiday and fishing. Not the most productive session though as all we caught was a handful of doggies, but no blank.

Day 2 - Ardwell Back Bay Rocks

The sun of the previous day continued with little wind. Everyone was pretty tired in the way that the sun makes you. A rock mark was the plan for the day due to the clear water and still water. The sun was blazing again and everyone was mndful of the roasting we were in for on the rocks. Callum and Malky walked on a bit further whlist Sharpie, Nikki and I opted for a closer mark with rocks off a nice deep water gulley. Float fishing was the tactic with lug worm the teaser morsel hoping to tempt a few a wrasse. Fairly quiet to start with until Nikki landed a small wrasse. Looking good we all thought, but unfortunately they weren't feeding hard at all and we ended the day again with one fish a piece, Nikki: wrasse, Sharpie: coalie, me: rockling. When Malky and Callum they had had a few more fish but not a huge haul. A 2-3 wrasse and a couple of smallish pollock I think. No blanks again was good. Everyone was wasted by the sun so decided to have an evening off.

Day 3 - MOG Flat Rock



Malky in the distance



Plan was to fish through the day from 1ish till whenever. Though the fishing was meant to be good I wasn't particualrly looking forward to this due to the climb back up from the rocks later on. Not a long walk by any means but roughly a drop of 125m from the carpark to sealevel. So traveling light was the way to go, though all things are comparative when you are talking about fishing rods, tripod, weights etc etc. Still off we went as I was determined to 'see the sights' Not nearly as bad as I thought it might be on the way down, just a little awkward with the rods clambering down some of the rocks. Now this was the first busy session of the week, bait in, doggie, bait in, doggie, bait in, doggie etc etc for pretty much the whole day. A few mackies fell to Sharpie feathering for fresh bait. Catch of the day sharpie getting three doggies on a one hook rig. They truely are greedy beggars. Good fun down on the rocks in the sun having a laugh and though the fish were only humble doggies and nothing bigger it was a great day. The hike back up was the killer expected but hellish at the time it's quickly forgotten when you've had a nice busy day fishing.

Day 4 - Port Logan Beach and Portpatrick Yellow Isle

 

Stealth Turbot



Port Logan bay



Sharpie and Nikki decided to have a day off fishing so Malky and I went over to Port Logan to have a look see and get out of the cabin before the evenings planned trip to the rocks at Port Patrick called the Yellow Isle. The sandy bay said flatties to us both so we decided to have 3-4 hours before getting back to the chalet for a feed. A nice sandy bay with a rocky fringe to the left hand side which we decided to fish near to in the hope that there may be turbots about. First few casts produced nada not even crab action as the lug/mackie baits were coming back untouched. On my third of fourth re-bait I could see a wee flat fish coming in through the surf which turned out to be a small turbot :) And that was that for the short session a fisrt blank of the trip for any of us falling to Malky but me fairly happy with a second new speices for the year in my little turbot which wasn't bad for an ad-hoc session.



Yellow Isle dusk view

The Yellow Isle was another steep decent but with better footings on the way down. Just Malky, Callum and myself this time around. We were planning on fishing 6 p.m. till midnighish and got set up on some faltter bits spread out over the front of the rocks. Callum about a 100yrds to my left and Malky about 20-30 yrds to my right. Deep water right in front and nice clean ground, the only snag point was from the hight that the sinker and rig occassionally swung into the rocks and snagged, but I only lost one set of gear and that was due to a crack off. Essentially this has a frenzy of dab fishing loads and loads of them to begin with probably in the 30's or so landed with the odd pollock, whiting, gurnard and more than a few doggies between us all. Again a nice busy session but none of the big beauties showing up to play unfortunately. Seemed shorter climbing back up in the dark due to being more careful in the dark with the head torch on.

Day 5 - Terally Bay (weed stops play)

Title says it all weather much windier and sea kicking up. Was actually hoping for a decent session but we all only lasted one cast with the line looking like a washing line after 5mins. Dreadful stuff. And that was a blank to end the holiday on (not sure it is a blank after only one cast) as the weather steadily got worse and worse until the group decision was made to break for home a day early :(

Cracking place and I really hope to come back soon for a crack at the smoothies, huss and tope.

Riverside Drive, Dundee

Another short trip along the road to Riverside Drive. I decided to fish behind the football pitches if there was space as I hadn't been there for a few weeks. There were a few other guys already fishing, but someone must've left not long before as there was a nice big gap between a couple of groups of folk fishing. Rods set up and oot about 3 hours before high tide. It was a wee bit breezy and cloudy but the rain stayed away and it was pretty pleasant sitting on the car's tailgate watching the rods.

After about an hour a car pulled up next to me and the driver turned out to be bobsygreen from the shoreangler forum. It's always nice putting a face to a forum name and chat face to face to folk rather than on the forum.

I'd left my baits out a lot longer than planned and thought I'd missed a couple of bites but I got a nice double shot of small flounder. These were followed a couple of casts later by another small flounder. The weed wasn't bad at all for most of the session, but started as the tide turned and grew gradually worse.  When I got another bite and landed a small coalie, with the weed getting worse all the time I decided to pack up and head home. First coalie of the year (never going to be the last lol) so that was a bonus for the species list :)