A rare event indeed when the three of us actually come together in one place. Whilst David our younger brother only lives in Lifton his work keeps him very busy and he cannot get out fishing that often -shame!!!!

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)