Loch Etive RNLI Species Hunt 2014 . Kayak Edition When Gordon aka (tickety-boo)asked me if we could participate in a found raising event for the RNLI and bring some kayak buddies I said Yes .The RNLI is an organisation providing rescue at sea ,relying mostly on public donation , fund raising events and saves hundreds of people each year . A quick round up of my kayak fishing buddy and we have 6 contenders ready for the task . We head to the scenic location Loch Etive driving the night before .The weather forecast looks promising with strong easterly wind supposedly dying as the day goes ! We head to the meeting point with already a good measure of boats , lots of new faces .The tide was high making beach boat lunching a little easier , Not easy holding on to those fancy boats once in the water , the wind was strong cutting through the scenic bay , with a sea full of white horses .We organised our kayaks and prepare ourself slowly for the expedition . I sat off first testing the water , my plan was just to tie on a big buoy a few hundred yards from the beach , stay there till the weather improves and fish . Four of my buddies followed cutting through the waves .The first sight was not promising , in the corner of my eye I could see an upturned kayak . I rally towards my friend and first thing I did was pick up his floating lunch box . All our equipments are packed into waterproof boxes in-case worst happen . Brent boy was having an early cold swim in the freezing sea loch , with his thick wet suit on he controlled his kayak and eventually upturned the craft . Self rescuing is part of our package , and with group kayaking safety comes first . Andy boy decided to head across the loch and find a sheltered spot half a mile in the distance . His progress was good until he met strong wind and raging sea , eventually he turned back safely down to the beach . Catherine , new lady in the team was struggling finding her way , cutting across strong heavy wind ,she stayed on her craft (well done) and saved herself further down the sandy beach .Colin then joined us and also Danny .Colin found his way in the freezing water too .Good self rescue young man , At the precise time and once back on the water I could not see any rods sticking out and though they were gone . Moment later , Colin came back with his 2 rods well tucked inside his kayak , using rod leashes is the right thing to do .To this point nothing lost nothing gained , just a little more experience . We all went back to the beach , most of my friend would not go back out . I took my chance and headed back to the fat buoy ,tied on and started fishing 2 rods .The ride was heavy . First fish was a dogfish , lovely marked dogfish ,rough skin and beautiful spotted body .The dogfish dance started and within no time four of those came up to the yak , Still one species though . I baited my little hooks back and capture species number two . One medium size codling and another one even smaller , and thats 2 species . My heavy rod was doing good too and soon I was lifting this heavier load . A good thornback ray at least 4lb with a yellow marking tag attached to her wing , I unhook the lady , took a photo and send her straight back to the abyss . Job done with seven fish up and 3 different species I was pleased inside , I stayed well afloat with not too many scares . I headed back to the beach and most of my friend have already gone . My car sharing buddy was still there though enjoying an afternoon nap . One by one all the boats came back with some happy faces and some not too happy , well thats fishing . After a small raising fund raffle event and a end of day get together Gordon shared the donated prizes . Some fishing tackle , rods and reels were kindly donated and made most of us happy . I lifted the 12 years old Glenfiddish bottle of Scotch and that made for all the good effort . Now thank you all people joining us on the day ,Thank you Gordon for organising the event but next time you better check out the weather !!,Tight line all ..Nicolas
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:49:50 +0000
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