Hi Guys.

Mike Oliver here from the UK. Just dropping by to say hello. I have been coming over to your side of the pond now for around 12 years with the main intention of fishing for Stripers on LI and Cape Cod. I normally come with 4 to 5 Buddies all mad keen Fishers. I fish the surf from the shore and use spinning and fly gear depending on mood and whats happening. Normally come over for the fall run in Oct for LI and May for Cape Cod.
I also fish rivers and lakes with fly, bait and lure in the Uk. I have a Xmas trip most years to Southern Ireland where I fish for Bass with bait in huge rolling surfs in Kerry, small fish but a whole lot of fun.
Basically my whole life is centerd around fishing. I build custom rods and tye my own flies. Service my own gear and tye up all my traces.
I am a member of the Bass Anglers Sport Fishing Society in the UK and have held various positions over past 30 years. Look us up on www.ukbass.com Yes I am a tad extreeme and pretty cranky. I am pushing 58 but still as fit as a Butchers dog. I want to be casting into that Striper Surf into advanced old age so I keep fit.
Thats it in a nutshell.

Cheers

Mike

Mike, welcome to S-B :btu:

PS, there are no fish this side of the pond.

welcome and look forward to checking out that site. Wish I was going to Ireland for xmas , someday maybe. P.

welcome to the fun

Hi Mike,

I just joined this board as well -- good to "see" you and Merry Christmas.

Welcome to both, two guys with plenty to share.

Hi Mike,
Glad to see you've made it over here from that "other" site.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the welcome. I recognise a few names from Tim's site. I am going to be visiting both sites, it will be interesting to compere the two and see how culterally different they may turn out to be. Right after this I have to get back to my packing for the Irish winter trip. I have a few more traces to make and line to put onto my conventional reels. Need to get this done whilst Wifey is at work.

Happy Xmas Guys.

Mike

...Right after this I have to get back to my packing for the Irish winter trip. I have a few more traces to make and line to put onto my conventional reels. Need to get this done whilst Wifey is at work.

Happy Xmas Guys.

Mike

Well, Mike, apparently preparing for a fishing trip while the Mrs is at work is common on both sides of the Atlantic...:hihi:

I would think if your trip to Ireland isn't going to be longer than a few days a gallon of Guinness and a couple of liters of Jameson's should be fine...:gu:

Cheers and welcome to S-B - :wave:

Crafty Angler

Thanks. My trip is 17 days so a gallon of Guiness will not last the four of us too long. I regret to say I don't drink Jamesons or any whiskey but that don't mean I won't substitute a really good Rijoca or two.
I typically start fishing on Xmas eve about 22.00 and go into Xmas day until dawn. It is a very magical and spiritual experience to be standing in white water holding you rod horizontal just above the suds and right behind you are mountains shrouded in mist or with a dusting of snow. On the far side of the bay you can see the odd twinkling light from a house in the tiny Hamlets. Your ears are full of the sound of the tearing roaring surf and your body is tossed around like a cork as it comes rearing up in the dark in a solid menacing wall of water. You are locked in place by the previous receeding wave, balance is critical at this moment, when the water pressure from the oncoming wave and the receeding wave is balanced you are released and up you float up the side of a 4 foot wave. To topple over now means a very long tumbling ride under water at times onto the beach some 70 yards away and a cold sobering soaking. Yes it sometimes happens but its worth the ride to be there with no other human beeing in site. Some years I catch a Bass on Xmas eve and Xmas day in the one session. I call it Gods gift. This is the kind of church I feel closest to God in.

Have a peaceful Christmas everyone.

Mike

Nicely put, Mike

They say some men go to church and think about fishing while others go fishing and think about God - sounds like you're in the latter group

Best of luck to you on Christmas...:kewl: