Heroes On The Water Fundraising Weekend

[Acuspell 329]

We were asked if Paul and I would put on a kayak fishing skills and safety course for the South Wales lads. The date was arranged and we made a weekend of it, great campsite and the venue was Oxwich Bay, sheltered even in strong winds - a southerly gale would simply have blown is back on the beach!
On the Saturday we all had a great time learning new skills, new techniques and had a lot of fun getting wet, fairly often so as to become completely confident with jumping off and getting back on a kayak. The evening was spent in the drizzle around a roaring BBQ, massive piles of charcoal glowing bright red soon had chunks of dead cow sizzling. A cheese board was spread on the bonnet of a car and someone even brought a load of charcuterie - just the job after 8 hours on the or in the water. Did I forget the beer and whisky? How could I? Oh, yes, because of the fuzzy head the following morning, that's why!
Sunday morning, things gor off to a slow start! The 09.00 planned start slipped a bit - oh, the coaches were on the beach, rigged, ready to start.......the people coming for the workshop were arriving in dribs and drabs. We eventually got going about 10ish! Paul ran a float fishing workshop and I did one on fly fishing from the kayak, which had a much greater following of interest than I thought it would.
We ran through gear, leaders and materials, then through fly selection and fly tying materials - answering peoples' questions and then on to the casting aspect. Bobibbing around on the bay getting the understanding of how to get a long line out from sat in the kayak - one day I would love if someone would do some video of it for me.
After a couple of hours of practical sessions it was time to put those new techniques into practise and the group split up to fish along the rocky edge of the bay. I paddled about, had a few casts here and there and helped to iron out a few wrinkles. All but two had to leave early - long drives and work the next day. This gave me a couple of hours to fish properly - I had seen some rocks awash on the Saturday, so headed for them and winkled out two bass in fairly quick succession, one arond 2 3/4lbs and really plump, a great little fish.
As the tide dropped, I headed out of the bay to a long ridge of reef that had a proper boil running over the top, it was breaking and that was the only white water for miles, so I headed for it and drifted through the breaking waves, casting one of my baitfish flies and letting it get swept around by the tide, as I tightened on the line to make the fly swing up in the current it was pounced on - I ended with seven bass, three over 4lbs. I took a brace for the table and headed up the M4 and M50 for home - thanks to Pete for showing me the back route to the M4. £400 was raised for HOW too. A damp but productive weekend.

 

 

[air gun ant 1,666]

sounds an exellent weekend mate! you will have to let me no if your ever doing one in the north west?

[Acuspell 329]

sounds an exellent weekend mate! you will have to let me no if your ever doing one in the north west?

 

That could be arranged for next year - where would you suggest for a venue? Workington? Ravenglass estuary? I have done them on Anglesey in the past.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Acuspell