In the 70’s and 80’s my dad used to take me fishing. A quick pop to the tackle shop near Lewisham for a few pints of maggots, some pre tied 16 spade ends and maybe a peacock float, all for a few pounds (probably pence but I was too young). Then off for an enjoyable day fishing at Yalding in Kent.
Dad used to tell me how to set up light, fish flake on the lift or maggot on the drop and the time he used a knife to untie a Black Bird caught in some inconsiderate anglers discarded line, then watch as the bird stole maggots from his bait box.
Naturally I took up the hobby and used to fish Burgess Park, Surrey Docks, Teddington Lock and several other well known South London spots (of which my failing memory eludes me). Then I slowly lost interest in the hobby.
I don’t know why I lost interest. The regulations became tortuous to comply with. No barbs, knotted nets, ground bait, hemp, lead weights (all of which I did comply). Prices for licenses and tackle steadily rose. More importantly coarse anglers were being replaced by Carp fishermen. With their battery of optonics camping for days on end. Looking down their nose at my maggots in favor of a plethora of boilies and additives. The final straw being the two anglers who were annoyed and angry when I asked them for help to extricate a Jay hopelessly entangled in a tree.
So I stopped fishing.
I know live near several large fisheries. All members only and devoted to Carp fishing. The small pools are empty of anglers.
But I’m wondering, should I have another go?
By: snafu - 9th September 2014 at 12:11
Ta-daa…boom-tish!
By: Lincoln 7 - 9th September 2014 at 09:47
Best laugh I have had today, nice answer….:D
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: 91Regal - 9th September 2014 at 02:39
Of course…you could get mistaken for a hungry immigrant…;o)
No chance- I’ve never seen a fisherman that well dressed.
By: snafu - 7th September 2014 at 12:00
Of course…you could get mistaken for a hungry immigrant…;o)
By: Lincoln 7 - 7th September 2014 at 10:13
Hi Hamp. I used to do exactly like you, I well remember opening day in 1967, on the river Nene, opposite an old Flour Mill, I had been going down for the preceding two weeks, and groundbaiting a particular spot, Cometh the day, cometh the man. I was fishing on the bottom, using the float LIFT method, I was fishing for 5 or 6 hrs, when a Helicopter from ANGLIA NEWS landed nearbye, by this time I had two 12 ft keep nets full with Bream, they wanted to film the catch, it took four of us to lift each of the 12 ft keepnets from the water. However, when the P.C. Brigade, got involved, I just packed up, and took up Fly fishing for Trout, at least you can eat what you catch. But having got off track, as I mostly do, a resounding YES, you should have a go at fishing again, nothing like the peace and quiet of fishing, it clears the mind of everything, as one concentrates on the float, go for it, and let us know of that 10lb Bream, or that 2lb Roach,
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: hampden98 - 6th September 2014 at 18:41
Well for a start, it appears to have changed its spelling. 😉
Moggy
Now sorted.
I was being ironic. Well, okay I can’t spoil – err, I mean spell.
By: 1batfastard - 6th September 2014 at 16:54
Hi All,
hampden98,
Yes take it up again, there are plenty of Rivers,Canals and pools that cater for all anglers you don’t need to go with the latest gear just the basics as you used to, angling has changed but most of the changes you mentioned where simply to try and be more fish friendly so to speak(If you can other than whacking a great hook in the side of their mouth) It’s still enjoyable to thousands why not try and join a local club you never know may meet like minded folk such as yourself.
Geoff.
By: Moggy C - 6th September 2014 at 16:02
Well for a start, it appears to have changed its spelling. 😉
Moggy
Now sorted.
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September 6, 2014 at 12:43 pm