I will have to see if I get the ambition over the next couple of days to check my log and get a count on the fish caught. Lacking that, here is a short recap of the 2011 season.
The crew of the Irish Ayes had a decent spring striper run. Some quality fish came over the rail and many breeders were released.
Fluke season was so-so. We had a few decent days with keepers but many, many short fish were boated and released. I do have to thank Hunter2 for the clicker. That sure did show the high number of shorts released. Amazing you can catch that many fish and not have many for the pan.
Mid/late August was somewhat of a catastrophe. Was entered in the Irish fluke tournament and didn't make the first hour before we had major engine trouble. Took the ride-of-shame behind TowBoat US to Gateway Marina in the Highlands and was sadly informed that I had two scorched cylinders and bearing problems. The only bright note was my extended warranty kicked in and the entire rebuild was covered by Yamaha without a question asked. As it stands now, the only original parts on my four year old F225 is the housing, fuel system and electric system. All else is factory new. It did take a month before the boat was put back in service due to a delay in receiving parts. Late September I was up and running again and running I did. The rebuild has 95 hours on it in a little over a month's time.
This leads to the season ending yesterday. Although I did want to get one last trip in today, the weather forecast was enough for the marina owner to almost insist that the boat be pulled yesterday instead of waiting till it's scheduled dry dock date tomorrow. Probably a good thing as it sounded like it was a real pounder out there today.
Time now for a much needed clean up and gear replenishment.
Thanks to all who fished upon the Irish Ayes this year. Every trip was a winner because of you guys and gals no matter what the catch.
