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.

 

[Chris Jones]

Fishing means different things to different people. It can even mean different things to an individual at different stages of their angling life. Our aims for our angling can be quite different but perfectly valid nonetheless.

I don't care what others do, or don't do, provided it's within the law and whatever further rules a riparian owner might apply. Not surprisingly, I don't enjoy being in close proximity to some angling, and anglers. I just keep away from them (and certain venues) and let them do their thing.

At this point in time, I'm not interested in just one species of fish and all I do is floatfish. I'm interested in the bird life around me and the aircraft above me. I don't expect everyone else to conform to my likes and ideals. How and where someone else might get their angling kicks is as irrelevant to me as whatever their food preferences, marital status and religion might be.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I was going to write a comment that pretty much aligns with exactly what Chris has written above as it hits the nail square on the head.

A passion for angling hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just everyone has their own versions of what that passion is and quite frankly I say good luck to them however they spend their time on the bank.

Me personally I’m a solid alround specimen hunter with some exceptions.
I don’t get much pleasure from fishing still waters.
I much prefer the last 5 months of the season to the first 4 months.
While I do really enjoy my surroundings and can appreciate all forms of wildlife I am there to catch fish and my success is definitely measured by doing so.

Trotting floats is my no 1 favorite method to catch fish and while I do occasionally throw out a lead, Ideally I want to float fish at every opportunity I can regardless of the species or whether it’s governed as the most productive method at the time or not.

Pike, chub, barbel, grayling make up the bulk of my float caught captures throughout the year and I like to mix things up where possible and swap about regularly between 4-5 different rivers sometimes.

 

[Carl Massey]

I can see a lot of passion from the responses here and hope that the next generation of anglers who take the bank do remember what fishing is all about. People certainly can choose their own method, style and what they get out of fishing is definitely their choice. I just hope the future of fishing isn't built-in mini Go-Pros for fishing reels to capture every moment of your session, which on the press of a button is posted to your online internet page for all to see. We live in hope and we'll not be here to worry about it.
Should someone in 100 years time look back at these Forum postings and say, 'Old farts with their floats and nonsense'. I hope not. Maybe they'll still be trotting a float down the river not knowing what might take a fancy to their bait. Guys, you'll be missing out if you don't.

 

[Neil Smart]

Great thread, and if I may, there seems to be more emphasis on tackle as opposed to just going fishing with a rod and a few bits of tackle and doing the simple things well, like river craft and second guessing where that Barbel or Chub will be intercepting you bait.

I see so much emphasis on having tailor made custom rods and reels that cost more than a family car, I am guilty to an extent but not obsessed.

If I can say just one thing and very much touching on the OP's sentiment is TRAVEL LIGHT. Doing so will unburden you mentally and physically freeing you up to enjoy your time on the bank so much more...

Oh! and one more thing, dig out that dusty old float rod, be a kid again.

 

[Alan Palmer]

Fishing holds many different aspects for me to enjoy: fishing for various species, with mates or on my own, making bait, buying and trying different tackle, watching stuff online, reading books, walking the river spotting fish, fishing different venues, chatting on forums etc etc etc ….but they all have one thing in common - it keeps me sane in an ever maddening world, I doubt there’s an hour goes by I don’t have some type of angling thought, escapism therapy at it’s best, and unless that loses it’s allure I will remain passionate about my hobby!

 

[Jon Young]

Considering 2 of the last 3 seasons have started with a run of 20+ blanks for me there’s definitely more than just catching fish that keeps me going. I could go fish easier stretches just to get a bend in the rod but I like how quiet it generally is where I fish. Plus the thought that my next bite could be a monster gives you a buzz. Always enjoy staring at the stars as well when the fishings quiet as you can’t see hardly any where I live

 

[Julian Griffiths]

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?

Not having read the other contributing posts. I fully understand what your saying.

Once upon a time as a youngster, I recall the sleepless nights before the following days early start & getting up with my brother at 4am brings back wonderful memories. Even cycling to the nearest angling shop to buy 5 or 6 pints of maggots was very exciting for us both at the time.
Fast forward a few years and around 18 yes old fishing the Windrush, I caught an opening day 6lb plus chub, and my first ever barbel, unfortunately it was a humped back specimen, and full of ulcers, so not the most thrilling of captures, but a barbel nonetheless.
Heading to my 20's 30's I had a few barbel days with the likes of Trefor West, and our very own Graham Elliott (affectionately known as the silver fox on here a few yrs back) catching a few barbel with Trefor down at Lacock on the Bristol Avon, and with Graham on the Kennet, where we caught one barbel from memory, but I ended up with fish well into 14lb thereafter. So it was the likes of Graham and Trefor that gave me the specimen hunters addiction I had in me & was thankful for having it!

Now, I've not fished seriously for barbel in a few years, mainly due to declined numbers of that species where I am, but there's still a few knocking around....some may recall I lost my brother 3 yrs ago now, all of a sudden whilst he was on holiday with his wife and kids, and having him repatriated took over 6 weeks, so understandably my fishing sibling is no longer around and I lost all enthusiasm for the sport...
I'm only starting to seriously think about making a return now, but with my brother passing away impacted me so badly, to the point of just thinking what I needed for a days fishing was too much for me to think about... I just couldn't do it!

So as life's changed I'm not as passionate about angling as I once was, this current pace of life is ridiculous, where you don't feel you have the time or energy after work to get out to fish. But I do know that once I do sort myself out, it'll be the best thing I've done in the past few years!

I'm going to fish without expectations as well, and come away from the specimen fishing mentality , as I think that too started to impact on my enjoyment for the sport. And I was setting too higher expectations on my self and started to not enjoy being out bankside.

No. I'm going to go out, fish in the shade of an old tree, hold the rod tightly and have a snooze if I so wish, whilst listening out for a kingfisher, Swifts or Swallows above, or get awoken by a 16lb plus barbel. I'm just going to get out in the countryside and find some peace & quiet!

 

[Paul Gaynard]

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 share your view Alex I just love being on the bank meeting old friends for a chinwag and a chat about old times and also of plans for the future, don't get me wrong I like to catch a few fish also.