Total Tales

Fred Conjures Up a Giant Skate.

Senior crew member Fred Wallace amazed the younger members of the party by landing a huge skate. Ken Shucksmith takes up the story: “A group of us go across to Baltimore, West Cork, Ireland for a bit of sea fishing every year. We charter the Rooster, skippered by Nick Dent, who has been our fantastic skipper, and a friend from day one.

“The senior member of the group is Fred Wallace. Fred is 87 years young, and next year will be his 25th year of sea fishing in Baltimore. We hope to make it special, but we will struggle to beat this year’s effort!

“This year Fred caught a 110lb common skate totally unaided, battling it from start to finish. Afterwards he had to be sat down with a mug of sweet tea with the shock and strain of it all – but what an achievement!