This stuff always seems to send a shiver down the backs of our Northern friends but here it doesn't seem to be that popular.
We paid for our boat tickets - £70.00 to fish including a boat for two inclusive but there was no mention of the catch policy. I mentioned to the guy on the till that it would be wholly C&R and he acknowledged but the price still stood! Just how many fish are you allowed to take on this ticket Essex & Suffolk Water? We boarded boat No.0 and Wes seemed to be happy at taking the engine end. This was the first time we had shared a boat I think. Having been to the inlet and a enjoyed a drift along the eastern section with the wind coming from the West/South West it began to get choppy. Wes was looking uncomfortable so we motored back to the Lodge Bay which is mostly sheltered. We had a few spots of rain but otherwise enjoyed the sunshine (14.0C) when it came out and the clouds playing cat and mouse with the sun - perfect fishing weather.
I lost a fish just eastwards of the lodge along the south Hanningfield bank on a yellow/green gold ribbed nymph. Wes lost one just outside Lodge Bay with a cruncher. A joy however to see the swifts circling around picking off the buzzers both green and brown that I saw.
And of course they were skimming the surface providing good entertainment with their acrobatics.
Found this in the boat presumably to deter thieves.
Some sort of bag to house the anchor I was guessing.
Wes was not happy with the waves hitting the boat and jarring his injured back so we headed back to the lodge. We moored up and turned the life jackets in to one of the rangers who was chatting to a potential customer about beginners lessons (££££££££!). He appeared shortly in the car park to say how sorry he was that we had abandoned our day and gave us a signed compliments slip as a voucher for a free boat for our next visit. Now that was impressive as we had not asked for anything or explained our plight. Will be returning for sure.
