The biggest surprise for me was that on arrival at the hospital and being seen by the consultant neuro-surgeon, he told me that he had decided not to do the trial run but to go ahead with the full and final procedure there and then. This was a fantastic bonus for me, as it meant that there would only be one procedure and not two which obviously meant only one visit and less time in hospital.

I’m told that the procedure is relatively simple. They made an incision just below the shoulder blades and placed one end of the lead along the spinal cord. This end ‘forks’ and has a number of electrodes which transmit the stimulation to either side of the cord.  The lead was then ‘threaded’ along the spine to the stimulator unit that was placed in a ‘pocket’ cut just above my right buttock, which has left me with a nice small hump.

Once the surgical part of the process had been completed, a technician then calibrated the stimulator and loaded the different programs that vary the types on stimulation available. This took some time as there are so many variables to consider but once completed, it gives me total control over how the pain is managed.

The stimulator unit itself  is controlled from a remote control which I hold over the buried unit when I activate any of the buttons to change the stimlation level or type.

The stimulator runs on rechargeable batteries which should last for years, meaning I don’t have to be cut open to have them changed (phew). The charger is a small disc-like unit which sits in a recharging base station. When I need to recharge the stimulator, I am prompted by the remote, I then take the charging disc and stick it on the skin over the stimulator using a double sided sticky pad. The charge then passes through my skin to the stimulator beneath. The remote lets me know once it’s charged and I’m ready to go again.

This whole thing has meant the start of a new life; free of pain and freedom to do the the things I had previously taken for granted. Needless to say, I’ll be making the most of it once I’ve got the soreness out of the way and it’s declared safe to do so.

A big thank you to the manufacturer of the ‘Precision Plus‘ Spinal Cord Stimulation hardware that’s made this possible, Boston scientific, the staff at Hurstwood Park neurological unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath for their kindness and professionalism. Many thanks to Dr. Stephen Ward and James Akinwunmi for their work in obtaining this treatment for me and James in particular for doing the surgery.

After a long battle, I’ve finally been given the go-ahead to have surgery that means I could be pain free for the first time in years. I’m absolutely over the ****in’ moon. The procedure is called Spinal Cord Stimulation and in simple terms, consists of an electrode inserted in the spine and pulses are sent along the electrode from a ‘magic box’ that is implanted nearby. The pulses replace the pain sensation with a tingling which is slightly more desirable. The whole thing is managed by a remote control which can be used to vary the levels of the pulses. Here’s a video presentation for anyone who is interested.

I’m booked into hospital for 9th October for the trial which should last for about 2-3 weeks. If that is sucessful, then I’ll have the full implant done immediately. I’ll update the progress here for the sake of anyone reading who may be in a similar situation and is considering or has been offered this treatment.

Looks like I’ll be missing some fishing in the mean time while it’s all being sorted but that’s a small price to pay to be pain free. This also gives Seaford beach a chance to build up it’s stocks ready for my return.

Just gotta keep me fingers crossed that it works.

So armed with some peeler crab, I arrived at the East arm around 9.30pm. I first set up in bay 16 but after a few casts, decided to move further out to bay 26. Tackle consisted of a DVice on a running ledger and single 3/0 hook.

The weather was settled, although the predicted North Westerly breeze had shifted to a Westerly and so was blowing straight along the arm instead of behind.

I had my first run some time later, which happened just as I was engaged in paying for my ticket, so missed it. However, As I retrieved, there was tons of slack line which after taking up, I found a fish still attached - a nice little Smooth Hound of around 2½lbs.

I rebaited, cast out and had a run instantly which was another Smooth Hound, this time around the 5lbs mark. This turned out to be the largest of the night, although I totalled 8 by the end of the session. A couple were really small pups which I couldn’t believe could get a 3/0 hook in their mouths.

A second rod had been used during the session which I had baited with lug worm in the hope of getting some Sole. All it managed to attract though, was a small ‘micro’ Bass, as small Thornback and the usual Pout.

For ease of access, I plumped for the East arm at Brighton Marina and on arrival settled, myself in bay 28 and unpacked my gear.

I set up a rod using a a DVice on a running ledger with a 3/0 hook baited with hermit crab and cast it out. I then saw the Mackerel shoaling near to the wall, so set up some feathers to get a few to top up my bait. Within a minute I had enough to see me through the session.

The water was literally boiling with the amount of Mackerel. I have seen big shoals there before but not to this extent; to say the water there was full of fish would have been an under statement. It never ceases to amaze me when I see this happening, it really is one of nature’s little shows.

Having stocked with bait, I set up another rod with a running ledger and two hook pennel baited with Mackerel fillet and lobbed out.

The next wonderful nature show was a couple of Dolphins a few hundred yards out from the wall. I saw at least two individuals doing there thing around on the surface but don’t know if there were others around too. I wish I could have caught them on camera but with the limitations of the camera and not knowing where they were going to surface next made it impossible.

Having watched the Dolphins, I sat back and waited and wondered when the predicted rain would arrive, The clouds were dark and threatening and were coming in on a light breeze from the South West, where it appeared to be getting darker. As it happened, the rain never materialised and it stayed a dry night.

First fish didn’t arrive until the last light had gone and was a small Thornback about twice twice the size of my hand which had taken the crab bait. This was released, the hook rebaited and cast out again. The next bite was a sharp tug followed by nothing which I left to see if it would develope. After about 2-3 minutes, I retrieved the rig to find a small Whiting firmly attached.

As for the other rod, I rebaited several times and no matter what I tried, I could not get a bite on this at all.

The next customer was a small Smooth Hound pup of about 2lbs which was swung in, unhooked and released. I did hope that the larger ones would show up soon but it went really quiet with no more action until about two hours after high water when the crab rod suddenly lurched right over and the ratchet screamed, indicating a better fish. After a couple of minutes, the fish showed itself on the surface and was guided into the drop net (not easy when done single handed). It was another Smooth Hound - a bit bigger at around the 4lbs mark, again it was iunhooked and returned by way of dropping it in the net.

That was it for the rest of time I was there, with no indications of further fish activity. So, slightly disappointed, I walked off at around 2.30am.

I arrived at around 6.45pm and while walking out on the arm, I spotted Fishyrob fishing in one of the lower bays using live prawn on a float rig. After a brief chat, I continued along and saw that there were a few already fishing along the ‘bend’ and filling the bays. I could have wondered all the way out on the arm for more room but wanted to stay in the lower mid section as we had decided earlier, for the best chance of a smoothie. I finally found a vacant spot and settled myself in bay 22.

I started off with a bit feathering for Mackerel to top up the bait situation and managed a few. There didn’t seem to be that many around compared with other days but that is the way at the marina - some days loads, other days scarce.

As the evening wore on, I set up my rods ready for darkness to fall. One was set up with running ledger DVice with peeler crab or hermit crab on a 3/0 hook and fished at varying distances. The other rod was set up again with a running ledger but with a 4/0 pennel rig and alternating between whole calamari and Mackerel fillet as bait.

The other lads turned up and after introductions and a quick chat, unpacked and set up their gear to begin fishing. We filled a few adjacent bays which apart from making for a better atmosphere and almost competition conditions, it is better as we were all in one place. The fishing was a bit on the quiet side with not even Pout to break the monotony. At least it gave us a chance to have a natter, as some had never met before and were just known through the WSF forums.

We had a brief period of activity where a few smoothies were landed which although not large, were in the 3-4lbs bracket. The spell was short-lived and as quickly as it started, it went quiet again and no further smoothies were caught.

By the end of the evening, for my efforts, I was rewarded with one pout but determined to have a least one half reasonable fish, I stayed after everyone else had gone. Shortly after Rob left, I brought in a small Thornback ray which went for the peeler crab on the DVice rig. I really like rays, there’s just something about them that appeals to me. It’s just a shame that for some reason, this venue and Seaford produce numerous small rays but never anything of a decent size. Quite why this is, I don’t know but maybe I should do some research into the matter and try and find out why. I should make the effort to travel to better ray spots but there is nowhere relatively near for that produces decent rays in larger numbers apart from maybe Hampshire. Widewater at Shoreham does throw them up from time to time but not enough to go there specifically for them.

Anyway, enough of the muttering, the next piece of action was shortly after this. My second rod lurched over sharply and the ratchet screamed loudly as something below grabbed the whole small Mackerel fillet I had lobbed over the side. I knew it wouldn’t be a Smoothie and that it was more likely to be a Bass. It gave a very spirited fight and I did think it was going to be somewhat larger than the 2½ lb specimen that came aboard. However it was another fish under the belt and made up for the direness of earlier. I had intended to pack up around this time but opted to stay a just while longer (how many times have we done that) to see what else I could bag. I should have gone with my earlier decision as no more fish showed and it went back to unfishy. This being the case, I decided to jack it in at 3am.

Although there were no Smoothies in quantity, it was a nice little meet and good to see a few more faces from the WSF forums.

My son Alex who is just over three years old has been showing an interest in fish I bring home, often asking where it comes from and how I got it. He likes to handle fish and examine and generally poke them in the way that kids of his age do. Recently he was mightily impressed with the small dead fry that was stuck to my shoe. He was even more impressed when I told him that it had been ’sicked up’ by a Mackerel that I’d previously caught and was in the process of gutting and cleaning.

I thought it time to take him along and show him how it was done. I hoped that if were to catch a fish himself, it would continue to hold his interest and maybe he would ‘get the bug’ like me.

Anyway, yesterday was a lovely Summer day, warm, not windy and ideal for an afternoon at the beach. To get Alex his first fish, it was obvious that Mackerel would be the target as they they are easy and a virtual certainty. Anna and I packed up the beach stuff and headed off to Seaford. As we walked on to the beach, it was evident that a lot of our local population were also enjoying the afternoon sun. After a bit of walking, we found a decent spot to settle down.

While Alex enjoyed his usual hobby of trying to move Seaford’s shingle back into the sea - one pebble at a time, I set up a spinning outfit. Anna got herself comfortable in her beach chair and got the camera ready to record any action.

I cast out a few times with a small Dexter Wedge lure and got Alex to hold the rod and wind in. Although it needed me to help hold the rod, Alex was determined to do it himself, pushing my guiding hand away. I had to resort to standing behind him and steadying the rod without him knowing. Independent little toad!

A few casts later and I hooked into a Mackerel. I brought it towards the waters edge whereupon I handed the rod to Alex and got him winding. The look of sheer delight when he first saw the fish and realised it was on the end of his line was something that will stay in my memory. His first fish and he was ecstatic with shouts of triumph.

We brought the fish ashore where I thought he was going to try and show it everyone on the beach. The beast was captured not only on line but also on camera for posterity. After much holding, prodding and further examination, the fish was dispatched and put in the cooler bag to take home. I’m pretty sure that if it had been up to him, Alex would have been happy to carry it around with him for the rest of the day.

It will take a bit longer before he can cast his own line and do all the other things that go along with angling. In the meantime he has experienced that feeling of achievement that I and many, many others have felt on catching our first fish.

Bet you can’t guess what he wants to do this afternoon… and tomorrow… and the next day. Guess who’s going to be eating a lot of Mackerel over the next few weeks (or even months maybe). At my age though, the Omega3 oils and the often referred to “fatty acids” will come in handy in the middle age battle of the bulge and war on Cholesterol and other nastiness.

First off, I decided to try for a few fresh Mackerel to bolster the bait. Funnily enough, compared to the previous trip, there were none around. I managed a small joey which was put out live in the hope of a Bass.

My other rod was set up with a ledgered DVice and used either peeler crab or hermit crab. There was no action until the light faded, where almost like magic, bites started to occur. First fish was a very small Smooth Hound pup. Next was a small thornie followed by yet another Smooth Hound pup. Apart from the usual suspects - the Pout, the next fish of the night was a lovely little Tub Gurnard. This made a welcome change and was the first I’ve had from the marina this year. It seemed as though someone flipped a switch because as soon as it started to become light, the bites stopped completely. I did have a quick go with the feathers for some more fresh Mackerel - for the BBQ this time and not bait - but none seemed interested. I did see some movement but I suspect this was down to Scad and not Mackerel

I packed away all my gear and tidied up the area I was in before just sitting for a while enjoying the early dawn. Even at just gone 3am, there was enough light to see by. The air was completely still with not a breath of wind. The sea was as flat as it can get and only disturbed by the occasional fish breaking the surface. It’s time like this that I know just how lucky I am to be able to enjoy it.

My enjoyment of the session was somewhat spoiled as I walked back along the lower deck of the arm by the amounts of rubbish left by thoughtless people. These I presume, call themselves anglers but I prefer to call them selfish, filthy individuals who ruin it for others. They more than anyone else give angling a bad name and add ammunition for those who wish to ban this activity. They know who they are and should be ashamed of themselves. I picked up what I could and put it in the bags which are provided. It wasn’t difficult and surely not beyond the ability of those responsible.

Settled in bay 24 and fished 2 rods - one was rigged with a long & low alternating between peeler crab and hermit crab as bait, the other, a running ledger with 3/0 pennel alternating between mackerel fillet and whole calamari.

The supposed North westerly light breeze had turned to a West or South West which added a bit of chop to the water which had just a slight hint of colour to it.

Tried to get a few mackerel for bait and added 3 to the bucket but they weren’t exactly swarming. That changed once the light faded when it went absolutely berserk, the water boiling in huge patches. After a few minutes, I had enough for bait and for the BBQ.

First ‘proper’ fish of the night was a small thornback ray about twice the size of my hand which fell to hermit crab. Another followed about half an hour later - again to hermit crab.

There was no interest in the pennel rig apart from being ripped up by crabs and other small creatures.

About an hour before high water, I had a stonking bite on the pennel whole calamari which had the rod hooped over. I was convinced it was going to be a Bass as I lifted into what felt like something reasonable - not a great fight by any means, just weighty. Imagine my surprise when this large pout came up. It’s the biggest I’ve had from the marina and one of the biggest I’ve had from the shore. It weighed in at 1lb 10oz and was just nudging 40cm.

That was actually the last fish of the night and I jacked it in shortly after.

Being one of the few, I set off early on Saturday morning to avoid the traffic and to arrive at the venue in time for the 2pm book in. I stopped off at The Newhaven Angler to pick up some previously arranged hermit crab as there was a chance of Smooth Hounds where we were fishing. Once on the road proper, it was a pleasant drive until hitting the various queues of caravans and other assorted traffic heading out in my direction.

Following my trusty directions which I had quickly printed off from ‘Multimap’, I got lost soon after leaving the A35. I went through a couple small villages before admitting defeat and asking for directions.

After finally finding my way out of the maze, I arrived at the car park and awaited the arrival of the other competitors. Looking along the beach, I couldn’t believe the amount of people there. It was one long line of bathers, sunners and people fishing. Nearly every person I could see ‘fishing’ was chucking strings of feathers out obviously looking for that summer staple - the Mackerel. There was hardly space between each. This did not look good for any serious fishing.

Not long after my arrival, WSF and SAS members, Steve and Shaun arrived in Shaun’s ‘Surf, dive, and fishy wagon’. After a brief chat, we trudged onto the beach so that they could have a quick feather session for Mackerel to supplement the bait supply. After a few thrashes, they gave up with one solitary fish to show for their valiant efforts.

A few of more WSF lads from Dorset turned up and swelled the ranks by about four. We waited in the car park for more to arrive before we would decide whether to stay or try another venue along the coast.

By 4pm, we decided to stay and began the slog of carrying our gear across the Chesil shingle. The Dorset lads strode off into the distance, while we three, found a spot near enough that did not necessitate the use of an iron lung and sports therapist to revive us.

Finding a spot large enough for three to fish in comfort, I began to unpack, only to find that along the way, I had lost one of the supports on my tripod. Inconvenient but not disastrous. after getting everything up and running, I cast out one rod with a long ‘n’ low baited with peeler crab and the other using a ledger, baited with ragworm. After erecting my beach buddy and sorting out my ‘camp’, I sat back in anticipation. To say that the action was slow, would be an under statement, no knocks not even the slightest indication of fish activity.

Steve was the first in with a 35cm Bass which was followed by nothing. Soon afterwards, ‘Fishyrob’ and Andy turned up and encamped just along from us and began fishing in earnest.

There were no more fish caught during the daylight hours. It wasn’t until soon after the sun set that activity started. Bites became common but these turned out to be LSD’s (Lesser Spotted Dogfish). These pestered the baits for the rest of the night. No sign of any Smooth Hounds at all.

Highlight of the night was a wonderful Paella cooked up by Steve in his makeshift kitchen set up in his and Shaun’s camp on the beach , This was washed down with a hit of Riocha. It nearly didn’t happen as Steve had forgotten the rice, He and Shaun had had to drive off and search the area for somewhere that stocked it. I don’t know where they found it but managed it luckily.

By 3am, I had enough and was dead on my feet. I packed up my gear and retired to the car park for a couple of hours kip before setting off on the long journey home. This had been my first visit to the location and although the fishing was dire, the place itself was a delight and made a lovely change to my usual haunts. Would I go back? Sure, but only if better fishing was assured.

Ingredients:
4 tblsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped
1 kg (2.25 lb) squid, cleaned and sliced into rings, tentacles split into pairs
500ml fish stock (or cold water)
200g canned tomatoes, chopped
3 tblsp tomato puree
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
pinch ground ginger
plenty of sea salt and black pepper
Thai fish sauce (optional)

Method:
Heat the oil and fry the onion and garlic until softened and golden.
Add the rosemary, then the squid and mix together, then cover with the water or stock.
Bring to the boil, then simmer for 45 mins.

Add the tomato puree, tomatoes, spices and salt and pepper.
Cover and simmer gently for a further 30 minutes, then remove lid and simmer faster for another 15 mins until the squid is very tender and the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
Check for seasoning, adding 2 or 3 drops of thai fish sauce if it needs the boost.

Serve in a bowl, either with plain risotto (made with fish stock), garlicky mash, fried new potatoes or a hunk of good crusty bread.