The Wirral.

4am, Saturday 21^st May 2005. Three of us were traveling up the motorway, heading for the Wirral. We had arranged to arrive at Bill’s (Sparky’s) for 7/7.30 that morning. M1, A50, M6, M56, and M53 with a stop, half way for that welcome cappuccino.

Arriving at Bill’s on time, there he was standing at his front door with those welcome words, “What kept you, the kettles boiling.” The cracc soon got to the battle plans for that day, and with computer turned on, Cliff n Brian could see what had been caught with recent fishing reports.

Refreshed we headed around the corner, down the hill and there we were on the promenade. Two minutes away from Bills door.

The kit was soon set up and lines cast into the Mersey. 50/60yds was all that was needed. Bait was Live Peeler, which Bill had provided and Squid that we had brought.

It was not to long before Brian got a good knock but was to keen to catch and lost it. A likkle later Brian and Bill both got the nods, but this time left them to develop. This time Brian was successful by landing a Codling, while Bill landed a Flattie.

The morning started with a Chilled South Easterly wind, from our right, coming up the river. Broken clouds racing over head, with the threat of a shower. Again Brian was getting the nod, this time to land a Silver Eel. Soon Bill was into fish with another flattie. Cliff and me were to blank in this half of the session. The morning raced by, tide dropping and conditions said time was up for wetting a line at this venue.

 Soon we were back at Bills stuffing ourselves with the delights of the local Chippie.

We soon devoured those, coffee n tea, while Cliff had a snooze. He’d been on the road since 3am. After a couple of hours it was time for the second half and we headed out to New Brighton. This is about 3 minutes, if that, from Bills house. Here we left the cars on the Perch Rock Park. Following Bill we were taken to the rock pools where he showed us how to collect Peelers. This man is an artist, collecting Peelers like taking candy of a baby. These turned out to be all males and we were told next month they possibly will be females. With bucket of peelers, enough for the four of us, we headed back to the car. Here we changed into fishing clothes then soon we were heading down the beach, a venue called The Rock Channel.

Two anglers had already cast there first line, giving us the welcome nod and wave when we arrived. Spread along the shore we were soon casting our lines, with great anticipation, towards the horizon, well hopefully to the horizon.

 Bill assured us that we would catch here or he would eat his hat. With all rods out Bill proceeded to go walk about, Bait pump in his hands, and soon returning with big fat juicy yellow tailed worms. We had the freshest ever Peelers, and now the freshest yellow tailed worms. We were shown how to prepare these for the hook.

Hold the worm in one hand, on the body near the tail.

Using, the other hand. Squeeze two fingers, running it down the worm towards its mouth. It will then spit out water. Repeating this again and all red gory inners are ejected. Next you throw the worm onto the beach, where it stiffens, to be easily threaded on to your hooks.

Soon Bill was into a fish, a good in size Plaice. Then shouts of fish on, looking at Cliff,s rod,  this looked like a good one. Yes a Bass, just under 2lb was landed, a PB for Bass off the beach for Cliff. Brian and me were to let the side down for a likkle bit longer. Cliff n Bill with others along the shore, continued catching. Then at the same time Brian and me got the knocks we had been waiting for. Yes, Yes it was a fish that I caught, a likkle Dab, but it was a fish. Adrenalin running the positive vibes had returned, next it was to be a PB for me, with a Plaice. I’ve caught Plaice before, but not from the beach. During this period of fishing we were splattered with heavy showers and lightning flashing well behind us. Warnings that we would heed, drop your rods onto the beach if the storm was to come closer. Luckily the storm clouds soon dissipated and we were left bathed in warm sunshine. Fishing was comfortable but soon the tide was pushing us back. Time was called as the race of the sea was coming in to quick for it to be safe. Just up the beach we soon arrived back at the cars, with smiles that all had caught, not a blanker in our ranks. 7pm.

 Out of our fishing attire we were soon heading back to Bills. There we recollected the day’s events over coffee, we felt that we had earned.

Fish Caught :- Codling, Bass, Plaice, Silver Eel, Flounder, Dab and a Whiting.

8pm, we said our farewells and the three of us thanked Bill for giving us a days fishing + his experience of collecting live bait.

Happy memories of a special day, fishing with friends who met on the internet

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