We arrived at Noss Marina where we met 3 young lads about to start fishing from the marina pontoons. Now these young gentlemen were equipped with fresh shrimp bait and as we started to sort the monthly safety checks they started fishing. Before we had finished and unmoored ship they had caught one bass and a couple of pollack. Now I have no idea how much we have spent on the boat but these lads didn't even need to leave the marina to catch more than us!

Still today was about a gentle cruise and not fishing. We slipped our moorings and made our way at a sedate 6 knots up river. we both realised we had not made enough trips like this up river. The Dart has some amazing scenery and wildlife to watch as you gently steam up river on the tide.

Now Mike had not navigated all the way to Totnes so he was in concentration mode ensuring we stuck to the deep water channel. At least I thought he was until he produced a new mascot for the boat - a stuffed seagull toy!! It must be his age I suppose.

The river is enjoyed by many craft and we were surprised by the number of canoes on the water. Even a large group under tuition.

Wildlife a plenty and even a vineyard to wonder at but all too soon we had Totnes in sight. We had been very concerned about the depth under us but we were being closely followed by the Cardiff Castle a large passenger vessel who managed to turn around in the Dart to moor and unload. If she can make it up this far we had nothing to fear. There was a large queue of passengers waiting to board so we headed off downstream safe in the knowledge she would be some way behind.

A short while down stream we were approaching an inflatable which suddenly stopped mid stream. As we came alongside it was obvious they had a problem. We threw them a line and kept them safe mid stream. Mike boarded her and quickly found the problem - out of petrol. A quick search luckily revealed a spare can full and after Mike located the filler the problem was soon solved. The crew clearly were unfamiliar with the boat but grateful for the help.

However this delay meant we were quickly caught by the Cardiff Castle so we made some room and let her pass. I even did a spot of trolling with a lure and caught a pollack which was returned to the river.

We were soon back at Noss where we moored under the watchful eye of the three young lads. They were keen to know of our catch. I proudly declared my pollack only to be shown a bucket full they had caught just by fishing from the pontoon. I was told I was too late for any Bass as they had sold them already!!

Perhaps we should take up shore fishing??

Ships log

Date: Thursday 02/09/2010

Weather: Force 3 to 4 E

Sea state: River trip

Engine hours at start: 235.8

Engine hours at finish: 240.5

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 1010

Tide: 1 hour before high water

Author: Steve (skipper)

Freya is 8 months old and this was her first trip on the water in Granddads boat. Staying a week with Nan and Granddad and took the opportunity to visit Dartmouth Regatta, 2010. Because Freya is only 8 months old and we would go aboard unless she had a life-jacket, I was a little worried when it arrived and it seemed it would be a very tight fit.

In the end there was little to worry about because Freya didn't even blink when we put her into it! Because it was nearly as big as Freya we decided that when on board she could have it off since she doesn't toddle yet. If she was mobile then the life jacket would have to remain on. This proved to work well since she put it back on with a smile.

The only problem was Freya was better at the helm than Granddad! Whilst it was only a short river trip (around all the rowers racing!) she enjoyed the experience and even the August weather!!! We certainly won't be wearing the special life-jacket out though, since the next time she visits it will have to be a new one and worn all the time since no doubt she will be mobile!

Ships log

Date: Thursday 26/08/2010

Weather: Force 4 to 5 NW

Sea state: River trip

Engine hours at start: 235.0

Engine hours at finish: 235.8

Crew: Freya,Vicky,Justin,Sandy and Mike

Time off moorings: 1400

Tide: low Water but on the Flood

Author: Freya (skipper)

Beautiful visitor to Dartmouth

According to Wikepedia "she is an 18th century wooden barque tall ship, currently being used for historical films. She can also be rented for excursions.

She was built in Pukavik, Sweden as "Orion" in 1945 or 1948, available sources disagree. Until 1974, the ship was used to haul timber in the Baltic Sea. Square Sail purchased the ship in 1979 and began restoration in 1985.

Characteristics

• Length: 145 ft (44.2 m)
• Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m)
• Draught: 10.5 ft (3.20 m)
• Displacement: 350 tons
• Crew: 15

Film and television career

She has been used in the following films:

• Hornblower Series III
• Treasure Island
• A Respectable Trade
• Moll Flanders
• Cutthroat Island
• Frenchman´s Creek
• Shaka Zulu
• Longitude
• Wives and Daughters"

An impressive vessel. We continued out to the East banks and joined another 5 or 6 boats fishing for Bass quite successfully. The difference between the commercial lads and ourselves was the bait. They were using live sand eel and we were on lures. They caught several, we caught ......... none! What we really need to do is source a supplier for sand eels near Dartmouth. The commercial lads go to Teignmouth but that is out of the way for us.

After a good attempt at trying to catch Bass we decided to try what we call "Steve's Rock" (don't ask). On the first drift I had a fish on the line at last! Suffice it to say I didn't land it. The second drift I again was into a fish and again it won the battle. In all the first three drifts saw me into fish, none of which I managed to bring aboard! Very frustrating.

Because of a medical condition I cannot reel in fish of a reasonable size so Steve is my reeler in-er once I feel I cannot carry on. This is especially so over deep wrecks. However on the fourth drift I was again into another fish (see picture above) and rather than loose it during rod transfer (and we were in only 50' of water) I decided not to hand her over until the trace showed whereby the rod was given to Steve and I hauled her in by hand!

Since catching her was such a farce I thought that Sandy (my wife) could do without this particular meal and she was returned to the sea (not the wife!) to fight another day. Since I had now pulled something else we cut short the trip and headed home.

Adrian had the helm home and even docked alongside our sister boat on the mooring. This is no mean feat because we are at the front of the berth with only a floating pontoon a few feet in front and a speedboat just behind. However once safely moored up Steve, who is almost obsessive about is security, (retired Policeman)locked up the boat and isolated the batteries (there is a story here but I suspect it would be edited out if Steve got in to the edit window!!!).

Whilst it may not have produced any Bass, the trip was excellent with great weather and always something going on. If you know of a local supplier of live sand eel  near Brixham or Dartmouth then please let us know!

Ships log

Date: Monday 16/08/2010

Weather: Force 4 to 5 NW

Sea state: slight to moderate

Engine hours at start: 234.0

Engine hours at finish: 235.0

Crew: Steve Mike & Adrian

Time off moorings: 1000

Tide: High Water but fishing on an ebb tide

Author: Mike/Adrian (skipper)

Still we set off down the Dart and could clearly see a somewhat massive vessel moored. Before we reached her however we also had to slow for a somewhat smaller vessel in the form of a gig rowing down the Dart. The contrast in size was amazing. This cruise liner cast a massive shadow over the river and as we neared she was identified as the Ocean Princess. The river was busy with her tenders going to and fro the shore and the quay side of Dartmouth was heaving with visitors.

Still we were supposed to be going fishing and I will probably better end the story there. Apart from a massive bite that Mike lost whilst changing hands on his rod we came away with no fish. (we never count mackerel which commit suicide and jump on anything we put in the water).

We did however see a pod of three Dolphins but alas I was too slow with the camera so you will have to take my word on this.

Still a nice trip on one of the few sunny days this August.

Ships log

Date: Sunday 08/08/2010

Weather: Force 2 NW

Sea state: smooth to slight

Engine hours at start: 232.2

Engine hours at finish: 234.

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 1000

Tide: Low Water 0950

Author: Steve (skipper)

Well we didn't catch any fish (we don't count Mackerel since they throw themselves onto your hook!) so that's out of the way. Now onto a beautiful ship that was moored in the river Dart. We quiet often see interesting vessels moored in the river including cruise liners and large naval ships. However today was the lovely Nahlin registered in Glasgow.

Initially we thought it was a brand new build but on old lines however when we returned home and checked her out on the internet we found she had just completed a $35,000,000 refurbishment during the last 4 years. The ship was built in 1930 to a design of G.L. Watson by John Brown & Sons for Lady Yule of Glasgow and was charted to King Edward VII as well as hosting American divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson.

Lady Yule then sold her in 1937 to King Carol II of Romania but after only two years he gave up his crown at the beginning of WWII and the NAHLIN passed into the ownership of the Romanian Government and renamed LUCEAFARUL (Evening Star). Following the war's end in 1948 her name changed to LIBERTATEA (Freedom). For the next 60 years however she was moored on the banks of the Danube until 1999 when she was purchased by British interests. The buyers then changed her name back to Nahlin and after a few years on the Mersey she was towed to Germany in 2005. Now her restoration is complete and she visits Dartmouth.

We also wondered about the head on the bowsprit of an Indian so good old internet helped to tie up the name of the ship and its figurehead since Nahlin means "flag ship" in native Indian.

She is a thing of beauty but one of those strange vessels that in 'real life' looks far more impressive than any picture can show. As to her owner? If you know then please let us know.

Ships log

Date: Monday 19/07/2010

Weather: Force 3 SW

Sea state: smooth to slight

Engine hours at start: 230.2

Engine hours at finish: 231.4

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 0945

Tide: Low Water 0817

Author: Mike (skipper)

Still he arrived not long after me at Mikes home in Brixham at around 0900 Friday 8th July on a warm sunny morning with a shopping list of fish required for his family barbie.

As it was the 1st of the month our departure from the berth at Noss Marina was slightly delayed due to our monthly checks. We do a thorough equipment check including the radio and all fluid levels before we sail.

Since we had the boat out of the water and serviced she has been a lot more economical with her fuel. I usually fill two 10 litre cans of diesel and top up each trip but since the service we are finding every other trip is sufficient. We use refined garage diesel as opposed to red diesel since our experience with the old mercury diesel engine which broke on us.

We departed Noss and headed down the Dart. The river was busy with activity and there seems to be plenty of visitors about which must be good news for the local traders.

We motored out to one of our marks where David had requested some mackerel to take home. Mike and I do not fish for mackerel normally but I quickly kitted David up with a set of feathers and over the side they went. Now we expected their to be plenty about and we were not dissappointed. It took only six drops down with feathers to retrieve six fish per drop! We only kept the 6 biggest and the rest were returned to grow a little larger.

Whilst over a local mark the commercial boats that were long lining were pulling in literally hundreds of them.

Following his success David was kitted up with lures and we went after the alusive Bass. It was not to be so we changed marks and Mike quickly had the first Pollack of the day which was again returned due to its size and two more decent Pollack followed so David was able to take home a variety of fish for the barbie.

I do enjoy being on the water and like to watch the activity of other mariners. Some times it makes for a good photograph for the blog. Today was no exception and the Brixham lifeboat passed us at speed and she really does look impressive. There must have been something going on as shortly after the Coastguard passed by at speed although nothing was mentioned on channel 16. The wildlife was taking it casually as well the Phalacrocoracidae family of birds were sunning themselves (big word eh - Cormorant to you and I) on the rocks - it was that kind of day.

The weather and sea state were great and once we had just enough fish for David to eat it was back to Noss and home again.

Ships log

Date: Friday 08/07/2010

Weather: Force 3 SW

Sea state: smooth to slight

Engine hours at start: 227.7

Engine hours at finish: 230.2

Crew: Steve Mike David

Time off moorings: 1000

Tide: Low Water 0817

Author: Steve (skipper)

The last three weeks have been glorious with regard to sunshine but the last two trips saw rough seas, however Steve said it looked like glass when he came over the top of Brixham, so we decided to go offshore to a wreck we have fished before, about 7 miles out of Dartmouth.

Before we set off from the marina however the gremlin's came back with the GPS, taking its time to find any satellites, so it may be a replacement is needed after all. It certainly brought home again our vulnerability and the value of our marks. Since if the GPS went down permanently, then whilst the hard won main data would not be lost (since its backed up on paper)all the additional marks we plot to give the shape of the wreck, would be and that would be a problem!

The journey out to the wreck was uneventful other than passing an LPG tanker ship moored quite close inshore! The wreck was picked up on the sonar and our first drift was used to gauge the speed and direction over the wreck, which fortunately due to slack water wasn't great. On the second drift Steve managed to get into a pollack, with 180' to come up Steve took his time in case we put the fish back. If you bring them up from that depth too quickly then the chances of them being safely returned is low.

However the pollack turned out to be of sufficient size to keep and with early success we both thought it was going to be a 'good day'. Steve caught the fish on a new lure, whilst I used a sprat lookalike. However, that proved to be the only fish landed this trip.

The trip was great with lovely conditions that even brought a Dolphin nearby showing off, although he was too quick for a photo, and teased us waiting for another appearance. So before we headed back to Dartmouth Steve gutted the Pollack and fed the 4 or 5 seagulls ,who sat alongside us the whole time we were over the wreck, hoping we were better fishermen than we are!

Ships log

Date: Friday 25/06/2010

Weather: Force 3 Variable

Sea state: smooth to slight

Engine hours at start: 225.9

Engine hours at finish: 227.7

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 0930

Tide:  High Water 1050

Author: Mike (skipper)

Another big wave building

Fishing can be a tricky business especially if you depend on the weather. Our boat Blue Marlin III is a family boat as well as a fishing boat. We are lucky to be able to choose when we use it and not to have to depend on a living from it. This was brought home today as despite the sunny weather it was a tad rough out to sea.

But first I failed to record the previous trip which briefly consisted of Karen Steve and Adrian plus Rolfe the German Shepherd  having a family trip out of the Dart where we anchored and enjoyed a family picnic.

We continue to be surprised at the sea keeping qualities of the boat and today's trip certainly was a good test with a large swell running. The conditions were such that in our previous boat (Quicksilver ???) we definitely would have turned back. However, knowing conditions out over our mark may be a little better we soldiered on, taking spray over the wheel house several times.

There was an air of expectation when we saw several gannet's diving over the mark and Mike was soon into a fish! The expected bass was brought to the surface only to transform itself into a mackerel! A few more drifts saw Mike into another fish which he forecast to be another mackerel, only to turn out to be a nice sized bass!

The swell was not uncomfortable due to the frequency of the waves but when the boat was in the bottom of one particular trough the following wave height was around 8 - 10 feet! At times the two other boats fishing at the same site would all but disappear!

Mike then had another fish hooked. Bass this time.....nope, another mackerel which wasn't much bigger than the lure and was returned straight away. We never land mackerel and only have the odd one for bait but today's pair went back to fight another day.

You may have noticed that the one landing the fish today was Mike so Steve decided to concentrate on the landing net. Things started to quieten down so we moved to a more sheltered mark where on the first drift Mike again was into another fish but this time it was bending the rod considerably and Mike was having difficulty retrieving it so Steve took the rod and during the transfer the fish got away! It was a big disappointment since both Steve and Mike wanted to see what had taken the Storm lure. Best guess would be a large Pollack but we shall never know.

Another couple of drifts and it was back to the mooring. Steve was having some fun with surfing when past the Mewstone,  before the headland calmed the sea. A sunny trip up the river to the mooring where the fish was gutted and boat tided up.

Ships log

Date: Friday 04/06/2010

Weather: Force 5 SW

Sea state: heavy swell

Engine hours at start: 221.8

Engine hours at finish: 223.2

Crew: Steve Mike

Time off moorings: 1000

Tide:  High Water 1230 ?????

Author: Mike (skipper)

On one of the forums there was a suggestion to disconnect the aerial connection and spray it with WD40. So before we spend out on investigating the problem it seemed sensible to give it a try, and low and behold it worked! Well it has for the moment. Whether this is a permanent fix or not, time will tell but for now it seems ok.