There are fewer pursuits better than spending an afternoon on a boat with beer, friends and a fishing rod.

Especially when not only do you catch a fish, you actually catch the only fish of the voyage.

Followed by more beer on the shore at the local pub, followed by scampi and chips.  mmmm.

I was lucky to get the invite out – my friend Ben has been working hard with his family to restore this old boat (a snip at £6,000!?) which he assures me is slowly sinking off its moorings on the River Deben.  It was the first time I’d used my fishing gear since around 2000, since then it’s been sitting in my parents garage awaiting liberation.  As Ben and his brothers fancy themselves as amateur fishermen I’ve left my rods and line for them on the boat – this’ll mean they won’t need to rush off to buy some (bit more eco friendly) and as it’s a proper sailing yacht they can sneak up on that sea bass!  Hopefully it won’t be my last fishing session with them.

My next step is to do the Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall thing and go properly out to see to catch myself some eatin’ fish.