Page 107 - AGC-Journal-2016

GC JOURNAL
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AGC JOURNAL 2016

2016
We’re Going to Need a

Bigger Boat

By Major Scott Booty

On 18th August 2016, skies and hardly a breath of wind. The
members of the Management Bournemouth Airshow in the background
would not only provide entertainment, but
Accountancy Services (Army) gave Kev Alford the opportunity to brush
deployed on a mission to up on his aircraft identification; a break
capture beasts from the from working in support of the Capability
Equipment Finance Team.
deep aboard
the fishing Out on the Water
charter boat The picturesque trip from Poole saw us Dave Miles allows the skipper to hold his tope for him
‘Piscary’ out pass the toys and play houses of the great
of Poole. and good as the sun rose on a perfect Most other members of the team soon
morning; the boat powering through the followed, with the skipper on unhooking
glassy sea as we motored to the first mark duties whilst the guys tried to work out
to join other boats already fishing. the best way to hold wriggling, and often
The initial quarry was the humble spikey, fish for the camera in the manliest
mackerel, which would later be used to way possible. John Leddy came close to
target more worthy specimens. With the taking the lead, but his small-eyed ray was
boat being full of complete novices the just grams short of the target.
skipper certainly earned his money, and
following an initial safety brief, which
included the hazards of hooking each A Change of Tactics
other as well as fish, we were away. Before
long everyone was catching mackerel, and Following a quiet spell just after lunch,
we soon had sufficient for both bait and Mark Robson decided the addition of some
the planned post-trip barbecue. ground bait may help. This did the trick,
and resulted in myself edging to the top
of the big fish list with a 5 kilo undulate
ray. The lead was brief however, as Mark
O’Mara fought back with a tope of nearly
7 kilos in the dying minutes to take the
honours. Fortunately, for the reputation
of the Army there was nobody around
to see the reaction of several fully grown
members as the skipper hauled this
most baby of sharks aboard. Eventually,
sufficient courage was raised for the captor
to stand behind the skipper whilst it was
held aloft for a photo. The only person not
John Leddy proud as punch with this small-eyed ray The team getting ready on the quayside before we set off to catch a good ray or tope was the boss,
Donald Watt, who mumbled something
Background Time for some proper fish about it all being luck and sacking the
organiser.
In a department where individuals are Taking a break from his usual role, Mark
often detached working on high level O’Mara was into a good fish before many Craig Blackmore and his wife, Debs, were
projects across Defence it was an ideal of the team had even got bait in the water. excellent hosts at the barbecue. Their
opportunity to engage in a touch of team After a brief tussle his small-eyed ray of ability to provide top-class food in advance
building. We had fortuitously picked the nearly 4 kilos gave him an early lead in the of an operational tour is beyond doubt.
most glorious day possible, with clear sweepstake for the biggest fish of the day.

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