Steve had organised to go for a fish with Alan this morning, but Will was not too keen when she heard about the dawn start. Steve explained to me it was the best time to catch those elusive fish, and sure enough a good number of people were already there when we arrived. Justin and I had joined Steve with an aim to make it for first light, it was close:
Steve set himself up on a rock and practised being a garden gnome, while I gave Justin a quick tour of the area pointing out the lines that are and are not mentioned in the guide. While it may seem that I have only just recently sent images from Castle Rock, it felt worthy to do so again as this time there are a few new angles:
The two of us polished off three easy lines on the west face. Well Justin did as he led them all, as he was keen to get more practise with trad climbing. I was on strict belay and seconding duty so I could be ‘sensible’. Steve meanwhile had been given a more suitable rod, bait and lures by some friendly fisher-folk and having resumed his garden gnome position promptly watched them reel in plenty of skippys while he caught nothing:
Hence he decided to give the fishing a rest and come and play on the rock. So we sent Justin up one of the longer lines and he again ate his way up the route placing bomber (as confirmed by Steve) gear. Having three of us climbing allowed me to run round like a mad chook scoping the best angles. From atop his throne Justin was lucky to see, for his second time, dolphins and this time they even put on a bit of a display jumping out of the water:
Steve was keen to jump on Lou’s favourite line, doing so in style and of course using only tri-cams. We followed this with Justin having his first bash with the Australian own brand carrots. I was about to send him up the line, when he looked in a puzzled at the little plates as if to say what the hell are these for. I’m pleased to say he didn’t drop them and better still crimped his way up the line:
As we were climbing Steve heard the familiar call of here they come… the salmon (all eight of them) where ‘running past’. So he dashed for his purchase, but was once again unsuccessful in catching a feed. Like a yoyo he was back with us and followed up the slab just as Will and Alan rocked up. Now at this point I was contemplating going for a bit lead on minty freshness, but was very happy when Steve decided to take the lead off me:
We all three had a fine old time on this steep, slopey line and then being all fired up Steve wanted to up the ante. So while the two of them did that and Alan and Will fished I jumped in the water for a snorkel. I’m told a school of salmon literally ran circles round me several times, but I didn’t see them and no one managed to catch any of them. I was however very chuffed to see a heap of other scaly creatures including this (in UK language) Place:
I popped my head up once in a while and saw that Steve was making quick work of his chosen line, for which he successful used his fishing rod to rod-hook the first bolt to make it a bit more sane. As I got out the guy on the far right of this image hooked a salmon (finally someone did), but it managed to get away before he pulled it in. I then followed Steve, while Justin swam with the fish after which we all agreed it was time to wrap things up. But not until Steve had just one (unsuccessful) last cast:
Eventually we headed off after another brilliant morning out in one of our many local playgrounds, leaving Alan and Will to fish. As we rolled back into the Capel pub carpark Steve got a message with an image of Will proudly showing-off a salmon they had just caught.
Sandbagged 