Life's a breeze!

It might hamper fishing expeditions during the summer, but when it comes to evenings on the foreshore, even gale-force conditions can work in the wildfowler’s favour, says Alan Jarrett

- Alan Jarrett

There have been two main features of early summer for me this year: my hayfever attacks have been especially severe, causing a great deal of discomfort and, on one or two days, misery with the tablets seemingly having little or no apparent effect. The second feature has been almost constant wind.

Once the crops are well advanced – and as a result opportunities for pigeon shooting are reduced – my main interest is to go down to the coast with rod and line. This is no great hardship for me, as there are times when beach fishing rivals shooting in my affections.

Always, there is the ebb and flow of the tide, and the moodiness of the shore – both features that make wildfowling such an intriguing and delightful sport. There are always the birds of the coast of course, and such times are mostly relaxing and enjoyable.

WEATHER WATCH

Pay close attention to the forecast when heading out as sudden changes in the weather can catch you out!

There the parallels between the two sports perhaps diverge, for mostly wind is an aid to enjoyable wildfowling. However, extreme wind for beach fishing is often at best an impediment; at worst ruling the sport out completely.