We are back, still a bit windy and wet and I guess judging by the damage at home I missed the worst of it, hope you all had a nice christmas and are ready to make this year good if not better than last year it won't be easy and I suppose our biggest concerns are going to be the weather.One interesting bit of news was from Ken Collins at Southampton University one of our smooth hounds tag no 22726 has been captured by a french trawler the ALBATOR this was originally tagged by me in June 2005 by an angler from Leatherhead the fish had only grown 3cm.  Obviously others have succumbed but this shows the relatively slow growth rate. given these are live bearers that do not reproduce in their thousands it shows how easily the fishery can be effected.This really points to the care of the big females that come back every year to have their pups and is directed not at my anglers but the many other anglers and charter skippers who look at the short term gains.  I will find out more about this, how far it had traveled ect .We look forward to tagging many more this year and whish others would join the program.It does give an in site to fish movement and growth.

First day 24/2/07 eight anglers from up North regulars Steve Flint not bad ,wet and windy ,8 skate to 11lbs [all returned] 15 codling few whiting and couple of dog fish.

25/2/2007 Three anglers Andy Jones from West Mersea .Novices to the sport we went to the same area It was quite a miserable day weather wise,skate didn't want to play but we found the cod OK, few whiting and a couple of dog fish.  I kept this party small as it was first weekend back and didn't really know what to expect.  But from here on its back to serious fishing, Next trip Wed [30 mph predicted ]well see cheers Dave Weaving