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05/2011
Fishing Report by Gethyn Owen
on My Way 2 (Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey)
May 2011 by Gethyn Owen
Report on-board My Way 2
Sadly the weather for the end of April and throughout May has seen far too many trips cancelled.
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Strong N / NE winds or very strong southerlies have seen My Way left tethered to the pontoons at Holyhead Marina on more occasions than I care to think about. The photo on the right shows the weather on our berth at the start of the current period of bad weather, April 30th 2011. I cancelled our trip but despite the wind, it was a dry day – so down to the boat it was to do a few of the odd jobs on my list.
When cancelling I think it is fair to say that all skippers take careful consideration of the day that may lie ahead. It is not simply a case of throwing the ropes away and rushing out for cover. Safety is no doubt paramount, but our enjoyment is next most important thing on the agenda. Sometimes the weather scuppers the odd plan, such as a trip to Holyhead Deep, yet a safe and enjoyable day catching a variety of fish is still possible elsewhere in the bay.
Although when the wind is howling to the extreme and your boat is going to swing around on anchor, throwing gear or the anglers around as the next wave hits the beam of the boat – is it really worth it?
Whilst writing this we have 40mph constant outside with gusts over 50-mph, not the nicest of days. Normally May is a fairly settled month in north Wales and we find ourselves afloat most days. At the time of writing this, 23rd May 2011, we have only sailed 5 times and cancelled 12. Think on all those that comment about charter boat operation being easy money – not so good when can’t earn it!
With the trips run, restricted inshore, we have still managed to locate a few fish, with early May offering a variety of species for the novice crews aboard My Way; catches included huss, thornies, spotteds, codling, pollack coalie and wrasse all mixed in with the inevitable doggie, pouting and dab etc.
I guess we are simply paying for the exceptionally good weather that we experienced during much of March and April this year. I am though sure it will come good and this run of very poor weather will be quickly forgotten about.
Where ever you may be reading this I hope the weather is not not hampering your fishing too much and your able to get afloat and have a great time. Hopefully my next report will be a little more upbeat.