Paul Dowgill
Senior Member
Fifteen months ago I was very fortunate to move to the Wye Valley knowing that in March 2016 I was to be made redundant from the Civil Service and would retire early compared to most. What more could one ask for; only minutes away from the River Wye and all the time to fish. And fish I did for a good period of time. In fact I fished more between January and November than the past three seasons put together. Being the Wye the catches were also incredible compared to what I had become used to, or is that not used to, on the Middle Thames, Thame and Kennet; many days saw me catch more barbel than I had in an entire season. And when the barbel would not show the chub did so much that I had only one blank in this time.
So what is the issue? Well since the end of November I have lost all interest in actually fishing the Wye. I still regularly walk by the river and it remains enticing but fish...no thanks.
I have tried to figure out why this is and so far have come up with the following.
1. The fishing is too easy. Having spent my life fishing waters (starting with the Nidd/Swale 45 years ago, via the Upper Medway to most recently the Kennet) which have not been prolific when I have fished them, the Wye seems ridiculously easy in comparison as reflected in my comparative catch rate. Do I need the disappointment/spur of frequent blanks to encourage me?
2. I have fished too much. When I was working full time fishing time, ie Saturday, was essential in helping me to appreciate the work–life balance one needs. Now I can avoid weekends and go 3 times a week that purpose has gone and I am not sure what fishing actually gives me now I do not have the pressure of work. Is it too much of a good thing?
3. The style of fishing is limited. Over 90% of the anglers I have seen (myself included) the fishing is feeder/pellet cast out to a specific line and wait, usually for not too long. I have tried to vary this approach and have used the pin/float on a number of occasions in an attempt to change the diet but like an incurable addict slip back to the ways of the feeder. It may be me but there does not seem to be the finesse needed when fishing the likes of the Kennet. Am I too blinkered and unwilling to do something different as I need to catch?
4. I am not used to seeing so many anglers on a river. The Wye is poplar and rightly so he says, stating the obvious. However, for someone who for most of a season would perhaps see a handful of other anglers this comes as a shock. Maybe I am becoming an anti-social so-and-so?
I realise that most anglers would give their prize rod to be in my position and many I have met on the banks have told me so. I would have said the same had I visited from further afield for a few days. I also understand if my current position makes no sense (it doesn’t to me, which is the problem) given what i have on the doorstep, and that it may seem more than a little odd and I should shake myself out of it as I do not know how lucky I am.
I am aware of all of this but cannot seem to get past this barrier so feel that by putting something on paper (or screen in this case) it may help me to fathom this out. Time will tell. Thanks for reading.
So what is the issue? Well since the end of November I have lost all interest in actually fishing the Wye. I still regularly walk by the river and it remains enticing but fish...no thanks.
I have tried to figure out why this is and so far have come up with the following.
1. The fishing is too easy. Having spent my life fishing waters (starting with the Nidd/Swale 45 years ago, via the Upper Medway to most recently the Kennet) which have not been prolific when I have fished them, the Wye seems ridiculously easy in comparison as reflected in my comparative catch rate. Do I need the disappointment/spur of frequent blanks to encourage me?
2. I have fished too much. When I was working full time fishing time, ie Saturday, was essential in helping me to appreciate the work–life balance one needs. Now I can avoid weekends and go 3 times a week that purpose has gone and I am not sure what fishing actually gives me now I do not have the pressure of work. Is it too much of a good thing?
3. The style of fishing is limited. Over 90% of the anglers I have seen (myself included) the fishing is feeder/pellet cast out to a specific line and wait, usually for not too long. I have tried to vary this approach and have used the pin/float on a number of occasions in an attempt to change the diet but like an incurable addict slip back to the ways of the feeder. It may be me but there does not seem to be the finesse needed when fishing the likes of the Kennet. Am I too blinkered and unwilling to do something different as I need to catch?
4. I am not used to seeing so many anglers on a river. The Wye is poplar and rightly so he says, stating the obvious. However, for someone who for most of a season would perhaps see a handful of other anglers this comes as a shock. Maybe I am becoming an anti-social so-and-so?
I realise that most anglers would give their prize rod to be in my position and many I have met on the banks have told me so. I would have said the same had I visited from further afield for a few days. I also understand if my current position makes no sense (it doesn’t to me, which is the problem) given what i have on the doorstep, and that it may seem more than a little odd and I should shake myself out of it as I do not know how lucky I am.
I am aware of all of this but cannot seem to get past this barrier so feel that by putting something on paper (or screen in this case) it may help me to fathom this out. Time will tell. Thanks for reading.