Motivation.

[Bill Walford]

I retired last year with the intention to fish a lot after a 2 year rest. A far I've been once as I can't get motivated to go. Mainly as I can't find anywhere I feel safe fishing on my own

That’s sad that you don’t feel safe out there John. Like you I’m now retired (last Christmas) and I’m the wrong side of my 68th birthday but still get out and have even night fished alone. In my younger days I didn’t look for trouble but never turned my back if it faced me. These days I couldn’t punch my way out of a wet paper bag but won’t be put off. It’s really not as bad out there as you may think. John, there’s somewhere out there with your name on

 

[Ben Marr]

Variety is definitely key, imo.
I do Coarse, Game and Sea, I'd soon get bored if I stuck to just one for too long...

 

[Stephen Crowhurst]

I retired last year with the intention to fish a lot after a 2 year rest. A far I've been once as I can't get motivated to go. Mainly as I can't find anywhere I feel safe fishing on my own

Do you belong to any local clubs? Being near people you know is probably the best way to feel and be safer. Plenty of safe places to fish, especially if you can travel.

 

[Chris Allcock]

Tbh. I'm always motivated for fishing. I really get excited. Im like a big child. I only live 16 miles from the severn, so it's not too far. Barbel are pretty much the only species I target other than when I take my son down the canal. He is 9 and he loves it as much as me. I can't wait to see his face when I pick him up to take him barbel fishing in 2 weeks time. It will be his first time. I'm going to surprise him.

 

[Richard Parsons]

When I want to relax I go fishing. It's a 3 hour round trip so usually stay overnight. I more-often-than-not blank on the Upper Trent or Dove, and drive home wondering what the hell I'm doing. In stark contrast, my next drive to the river has me bursting with enthusiasm once more and chomping at the bit for a crack at one of those special big girls that inhabit those rivers.

I'm also a member of a specialist angling group - which provides a great support network, as well as having some extraordinarily gifted anglers to advise when things aren't going so well.

I also have a dog and two youngish daughters.

 

[Simon Archer]

We've had a pretty crap 18 months TBH. Not withstanding the Covid problem, we've had my Wife's sister living with us after a breakup with her Husband, her two dogs as well. I've never really got on with her that well and the whole situation has been draining. You would think going fishing would be a release, and it is for the time I'm there, but once home it all starts again. I've got to the stage where I feel like I'm just existing. Finally she moved out a week ago, so hopefully life will start to return to some sort of normality.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

We've had a pretty crap 18 months TBH. Not withstanding the Covid problem, we've had my Wife's sister living with us after a breakup with her Husband, her two dogs as well. I've never really got on with her that well and the whole situation has been draining. You would think going fishing would be a release, and it is for the time I'm there, but once home it all starts again. I've got to the stage where I feel like I'm just existing. Finally she moved out a week ago, so hopefully life will start to return to some sort of normality.

Sounds like a very tough 18-months mate.

Keep your chin-up. Maybe a break from the Trent and a switch to another venue might help you rekindle some motivation

 

[Simon Archer]

I've got 3 weeks off in October and hoping to go away for a few days. may even give the Carp a go. Also do some feeder fishing for Bream on our local resi.

 

[Richard Parsons]

We've had a pretty crap 18 months TBH. Not withstanding the Covid problem, we've had my Wife's sister living with us after a breakup with her Husband, her two dogs as well. I've never really got on with her that well and the whole situation has been draining. You would think going fishing would be a release, and it is for the time I'm there, but once home it all starts again. I've got to the stage where I feel like I'm just existing. Finally she moved out a week ago, so hopefully life will start to return to some sort of normality.

As Joes says above, it sounds like you've been right up against it recently, Simon. Hats off to you for getting through it! And now you're seemingly in the other side I hope life improves and your mojo returns once more.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

I've got 3 weeks off in October and hoping to go away for a few days. may even give the Carp a go. Also do some feeder fishing for Bream on our local resi.

There are some good stillwaters to go at on the BMAA ticket, offering some diverse angling for carp, tench and bream. Although you might want to give Staunton Harold a miss if your struggling for motivation, that's a daunting stretch of water if ever there was one!

I'm assuming you have the BMAA ticket being a Dove regular?

 

[Simon Archer]

There are some good stillwaters to go at on the BMAA ticket, offering some diverse angling for carp, tench and bream. Although you might want to give Staunton Harold a miss if your struggling for motivation, that's a daunting stretch of water if ever there was one!

I'm assuming you have the BMAA ticket being a Dove regular?

Staunton was the target TBH, I quite like the large water, Bream type venues. Reminds me of my match fishing days. Although I don't think Staunton has fished well recently. Never fished any other BMAA stillwater, always fished their river sections.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Staunton was the target TBH, I quite like the large water, Bream type venues. Reminds me of my match fishing days. Although I don't think Staunton has fished well recently. Never fished any other BMAA stillwater, always fished their river sections.

I think as far as big bream are concerned it's a bit of a heartbreaker, but if your up for the challenge then go for it.

There used to be wonderful tench fishing to be had at Melbourne Hall which is fed by Staunton Harold. Had 34 very enjoyable seasons there 2006-2008. No idea what its like now though. Think it's a syndicate now.

 

[Andy Bebbington]

loosing my motivation for fishing full stop the last 5 times i have been not even a tap on the rod top, fished fast, med and deep water as well as small baits big baits all sorts of baits not a touch. seriously thinking of nocking it all on the head. the bristol avon is dead.

 

[Graham Elliott]

There are some pretty sad posts on here
Understandable when you local river is in decline.

Certainly my local rivers, the Wye the Lower Severn and even the Warks Avon are not as prolific as once they were.

As mentioned, even if barbel are your desire, look at least for a short period of targeting other species

Try the local carp pit with float and prawns for the perch. Like me, pop to a river and try catch a Zander,
It will soon be Pike time, and they are in most places.
Grayling soon, and roach both catchable on a frosty day.
Get the mashed bread feeder out and try for some chub.

Rediscover other species. I knew very little about Zander, but willing to take advice rewarded me with a stunning 11 7 a week ago It took about 10 attempts but satisfied me more than just another 10lb barbel.

Lots of people on here who multi species target.

Don't be afraid to seek advice or try to see if anyone fairly local can link up for a trip.

Personally I have barbel fished about 5 times this season . I will start seriously when we get a few feet of water added to the flows

Keep the faith, but no point beating yourself up when conditions are pretty poor anyway

 

[Simon Archer]

For most of my fishing life, I've been a matchfisherman. I got disillusioned with the travelling and the cost of it all, and I never got into the commercial scene when the rivers declined. I took a long break from fishing, then got interested in Barbel fishing and tried that. I like the the fact you don't need endless kit, the places you can get to, the solitude and wildlife you get to see. Unfortunately, I think I've started a few years too late and missed the best days of Barbel fishing, that coupled with the two rivers I fish being a tad hard and it means that my enthusiasm isn't a good as it should be.

I'm a member of three clubs and do fish other venues, it's just that I'd set my stall out to fish for Barbel but I'm not finding it very easy at the moment.

 

[Alex Gowney]

There are some pretty sad posts on here
Understandable when you local river is in decline.

Certainly my local rivers, the Wye the Lower Severn and even the Warks Avon are not as prolific as once they were.

As mentioned, even if barbel are your desire, look at least for a short period of targeting other species

Try the local carp pit with float and prawns for the perch. Like me, pop to a river and try catch a Zander,
It will soon be Pike time, and they are in most places.
Grayling soon, and roach both catchable on a frosty day.
Get the mashed bread feeder out and try for some chub.

Rediscover other species. I knew very little about Zander, but willing to take advice rewarded me with a stunning 11 7 a week ago It took about 10 attempts but satisfied me more than just another 10lb barbel.

Lots of people on here who multi species target.

Don't be afraid to seek advice or try to see if anyone fairly local can link up for a trip.

Personally I have barbel fished about 5 times this season . I will start seriously when we get a few feet of water added to the flows

Keep the faith, but no point beating yourself up when conditions are pretty poor anyway

Sound advice but perhaps not so easy to implement. Due to the major decline of the Thames Valley rivers ( and the Warks Avon as regards barbel) I resumed carp fishing, something I hadn't done seriously for 30 years. Linear is close but nearly always rammed and is also not cheap. Horseshoe is looking like a possibility again after covid but again, for the distance to travel is not cheap. Two years ago I rejoined Newlands AC which has some great waters but now it's a waiting list to get a season ticket and with rumours of the club increasing the price and halving the number of members it looks as though that is no longer an option either. In short, a once open club has now become a closed syndicate. Jubilee pools in Coventry are also very busy but may be viable in the autumn and winter. Fishing has become very popular with lockdowns and travel abroad restricted. Couple this with the rivers alarming decline and I find myself fishing the same little pool for carp all the time. It is peaceful but holds only average fish so it won't hold my interest for ever. I will probably fish the Cherwell in the winter when it's not the same awful muddy brown it runs at all summer, and maybe hope for a big chub or roach. Oxfordshire used to be a dream county for coarse anglers but now It's hard to know where to go.

 

[Paul Whiteing]

Due to a combination of Covid and the travel restrictions; plus the decline in the rivers I fish; plus the lack of motivation to fish alone at night at my age, especially as my other half is not happy until I return in the early hours; plus the fact that I've just had replacement knee surgery and I can't see me getting back on a bank until perhaps November (?), I may well decide that I enjoyed the best years of barbel fishing (70s, 80s, 90s, noughties) and I will remember those years fondly and not bother to re-kindle my barbel "career" again? Who knows?, certainly I can't know what the future holds.

100 mile round trips, driving alone, single bait fishing for the bigger fish and more often than not the tip remained motionless (not everyone's thing but it was mine) I always enjoyed, but not sure I can look forward to that again.

250 mile round trips north became more of a social, plenty of fish at times but a slog home in the very early hours and my pals travelled in the opposite direction.

I always thought it sad when older anglers told me that once over the age of 70 they'd decided to call it a day, but I do know what it's all about now.

 

[Terry Simner]

So far this month I've only fished 3 times, which is extraordinary for me (especially for a September). But I don't believe it's "motivation" that I lack ... more like 'inspiration'.
I was 71 yesterday and walked the banks with a friend, looking into the feasibility of fishing a swim, 1km from the car, under an oak tree with low overhanging branches, with a 1m drop from the bank into the river.
I think 'hope' only lasts for so long, then you need confidence and some expectation. So basically, I still really want to catch barbel of a decent size, but where the **** do I fish?

 

[Dave Brooksbank]

Makes me wonder how many anglers if they could, upsticks and relocate home to be near the middle and tidal trent to get almost guaranteed decent barbel fishing.I haven't even had a session this season yet and will only venture out to the Thames when it's bang on Barbel time,so been busy enjoying some roach dace chub perch angling on the river.

 

[Graham Tremble]

Due to a combination of Covid and the travel restrictions; plus the decline in the rivers I fish; plus the lack of motivation to fish alone at night at my age, especially as my other half is not happy until I return in the early hours; plus the fact that I've just had replacement knee surgery and I can't see me getting back on a bank until perhaps November (?), I may well decide that I enjoyed the best years of barbel fishing (70s, 80s, 90s, noughties) and I will remember those years fondly and not bother to re-kindle my barbel "career" again? Who knows?, certainly I can't know what the future holds.

100 mile round trips, driving alone, single bait fishing for the bigger fish and more often than not the tip remained motionless (not everyone's thing but it was mine) I always enjoyed, but not sure I can look forward to that again.

250 mile round trips north became more of a social, plenty of fish at times but a slog home in the very early hours and my pals travelled in the opposite direction.

I always thought it sad when older anglers told me that once over the age of 70 they'd decided to call it a day, but I do know what it's all about now.

Yes Paul, your experience mirrors mine. I used to love the solitude of Barbel fishing at night ‘in the middle of nowhere’. Unfortunately time has caught up with me and it simply would be dangerous for me to fish as I used to. I rarely fish now and have to seek out ‘car park’ swims where I can walk to my car if I need to leave earlier than I had planned. Not bitter at all , just being sensible for probably the first time in my life! Good luck to all the younger guys and enjoy it while you can. I have some great memories to sustain me and often get my old fishing diaries and albums out to take a pleasant trip ‘down memory lane’.
G.T.