No passion for angling?

[Carl Massey]

This morning I couldn’t sleep and was up having my first coffee at 04:15 watching the sun come up and see the world go by in the conservatory. While watching a small house spider carefully weave its web across the corner of the room I was think why do we go fishing. The modern trend seems to be for a strategic, almost militarized approach. Certainly for those carp guys (and I do fish for carp) the point of going fishing seems more of a camping trip, but are we moving that way with some our fishing for barbel.
I like to think that my fishing trips are my means to unwind and get outside away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Yes, I want to catch a fish or two but I also enjoy where I am and feel very fortunate to be there. I’ll take as much pleasure seeing the occasional kingfisher fly by, or maybe land on the rod if you’re very lucky. There’s always the robin who finds a liking to whatever bait I’ve got close by, and who’s not smiled when they take a few maggots or other delicious offerings. The point I’m trying to make here is we go fishing to catch fish, but are we losing our love of being on the riverbank and not embracing the fact of what nature has to offer.
There’s certainly more to fishing than catching fish so are we losing our passion for angling?

 

[Adrian Mitchell]

This morning I couldn’t sleep and was up having my first coffee at 04:15 watching the sun come up and see the world go by in the conservatory. While watching a small house spider carefully weave its web across the corner of the room I was think why do we go fishing. The modern trend seems to be for a strategic, almost militarized approach. Certainly for those carp guys (and I do fish for carp) the point of going fishing seems more of a camping trip, but are we moving that way with some our fishing for barbel.
I like to think that my fishing trips are my means to unwind and get outside away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Yes, I want to catch a fish or two but I also enjoy where I am and feel very fortunate to be there. I’ll take as much pleasure seeing the occasional kingfisher fly by, or maybe land on the rod if you’re very lucky. There’s always the robin who finds a liking to whatever bait I’ve got close by, and who’s not smiled when they take a few maggots or other delicious offerings. The point I’m trying to make here is we go fishing to catch fish, but are we losing our love of being on the riverbank and not embracing the fact of what nature has to offer.
There’s certainly more to fishing than catching fish so are we losing our passion for angling?

I had a lie in this morning Carl,I was up at 05:15 for my first coffee.Love/hate these light mornings in equal amounts.Love being up and about early,hate the sleep deprivation.I agree with your views on why some people fish,you've certainly covered it for me and I think the majority of anglers on here.
Regarding the "militarized approach" ,I think that the money that can be made being sponsored big tackle,bait companies can make fishing a career choice but to keep being sponsored you have to stay in the public eye with videos,publicity of large fish captured etc.This only used to apply to a handfull of people but now with the advent of u tube"influencers", anyone who fishes can now hope to be picked up by a company through their social media posts.I recently had a go pro camera bought for my birthday by my daughter and my grandaughter is encouraging me to film a trip and she will put it on line for me.I think there is a good chance of hell freezing over before that happens.

 

[Jim Brook]

Yeah I know what you mean Carl, some people just enjoy going fishing and some people just go fishing to catch fish mate

 

[Nigel Whittingham]

Think you can do both tbh? I burned myself out back in the early 2000’s in my pursuit of big fish and promised myself it wouldn’t happen again. It’s all about catching of course but i dont nightfish, travel (reasonably) light and still enjoy my surroundings whilst fishing. I also love going in between fishing trips on recce’s just to research & watch which i enjoy almost as much as the fishing (it’s sometimes better! ). This is when you can reconnect with nature, take it all in and learn loads while your doing it!

 

[Michael Brough]

I have read articles and watched videos produced by Fennell Hudson for his Fennel's Priory web page. I realise he can come across as a young foggy with his tatterstall shirts, waistcoats and flat cap but he talk a lot of sense about traditional angling being more a mind set rather than just the use cane rods, vintage centrepins and tweed jackets. He points out the irony of claiming the superiority of traditional tackle whilst using high tech lines and chemically sharpened hooks. We all want to catch but being beside a beautiful river at dawn is all part of the magical experience of fishing.

 

[Stuart Linton]

I have read articles and watched videos produced by Fennell Hudson for his Fennel's Priory web page. I realise he can come across as a young foggy with his tatterstall shirts, waistcoats and flat cap but he talk a lot of sense about traditional angling being more a mind set rather than just the use cane rods, vintage centrepins and tweed jackets. He points out the irony of claiming the superiority of traditional tackle whilst using high tech lines and chemically sharped hooks. We all want to catch but being beside a beautiful river at dawn is all part of the magical experience of fishing.

There is a good interview with him on The Creel podcast.