Re-visiting Etive

Moored off Barrs

It’s been weeks since I was last out, and it’s been frustrating watching a shedload of wet and windy weather blasting through on any available free time. However a calm sunny day was forecast for the Etive area so I decided to combine that with an over-nighter boat camping well up the loch. Launching in… Continue reading Re-visiting Etive

Back to Oban for more Skate Fishing

Playing a skate as the sun fades

It was a bit of a toss up whether to head to Etive or carry on a bit and try fishing for skate off Oban, but a combination of small tides and calm weather tempted Ian and I into a spot of skate fishing from Gallanach. My reservations about skate hunting were further overcome when the sun… Continue reading Back to Oban for more Skate Fishing

Low key at Dunbar

Just a quick update on a short 3 hour outing about 10 days ago on the inflatable, out of Skateraw beach. Mackerel, Pollack and ling were all in evidence, but no trace of their tasty coddie siblings. The most exciting hookup gave a really solid fight all the way until just under the surface, when up popped… Continue reading Low key at Dunbar

The High Sierra Trail

Casting a fly at 8,500 feet.

“Awesome” is a wildly over-used word in the US, but the High Sierra Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California really is just that. If you’re into hiking, camping or fishing and you want to trade in a cool, wet, midge-ridden summer for something hot, dry, bug-free and spectacular then you should seriously check… Continue reading The High Sierra Trail

Camping in Death Valley

Devil's Golf Course Panorama

We paused as we heard the distinctive rattle of yet another Death Valley local warning us to stay away. It had been quiet in the cool of the early morning as we climbed, but the sun was now hot in the sky and the reptilian inhabitants were waking up all around the trail as we… Continue reading Camping in Death Valley

Lazy Summer Morning…

Whales are still rare enough round here for a sighting to be memorable, and this Minke looked very purposeful as it ploughed steadily along in the direction of St. Abbs. Close enough to be impressive, but too far for a decent photo! A little later its baby cousin, a small porpoise, also paid a fleeting visit,… Continue reading Lazy Summer Morning…

Prophet of Doom calls it right (almost) :-(

Just for a change, this one's actually a bit bigger than it looks

I’ve not clambered down the harbour wall at St Andrews for ages, and was looking forward to a bit of coddie bashing on what was quite a reasonable forecast. Perhaps I should’ve paid more attention to Cassandra, in the form of skipper Ian, when he pointed out that there had been a couple of days… Continue reading Prophet of Doom calls it right (almost) 🙁

A week in Galloway – instalment 2!

Tope Closeup

Trevor arrived early on Wednesday morning after a long drive from Aberdeen and we launched from Port William again, with high hopes of bettering yesterdays total of 28 tope. Luce Bay was flat calm as we headed out the short distance to our chosen mark and dropped the anchor in around 45 feet of water.… Continue reading A week in Galloway – instalment 2!