Passion for Angling

John · #1 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 08:38 PM

No, I haven't gone mad and put an angling thread in the wrong forum.

I always watch fishing programmes on a Friday night, from 9pm to 11pm on the Discovery Real Time channel.

Tonight they were showing Passion For Angling, the series with Chris Yates (the former Carp record holder) and his old mate Bob James (allthough they have fallen out with each other now.

If you have never seen it before, or just want to rewatch perhaps the best Angling programme ever made, then look to see if it is on again next week (obviously if you can get that channel.

Why have I recommended an Angling programme. Well it is one of the most beautifully filmed programmes that is not only a brilliant angling programme but also includes some fabulous wildlife shots with it as well. It is also superbly narrated by Bernard Cribbins.

Tonight there were brilliant close ups of Kingfisher, Barn Owl, Little Grebe as well as many more. In fact it is on until 10pm tonight so I am going back to watch the rest of it.

John

Boddie · #2 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:03 PM

Why have Chris Yates and Bob James fallen out with each other?

John · #3 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:12 PM

That is something I wouldn't put out on a public forum as you would have to be very careful with your wording. Get it slightly wrong and it could be construed as slander.

Getting back to the main reason I started the thread was the sheer beauty of the photography. The wildlife plus the sunsets, sunrises and mist laden dawns hasn't been bettered by any programme of this type IMHO.

John

Wolfhill · #4 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:41 PM

Hi John by chance I also saw Passion for Angling tonight I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the two kingfishers landing on the same rod, futher more using it as a perch to fish from. It was incrediable I was so jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:48 PM

We watched this programme the first time round. I loved it

They have captured something of the past it reminds me of my childhood (45 yrs)

So sad they have fallen out life is too short. I loved the dogs they were brill

John · #6 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfhill

Hi John by chance I also saw Passion for Angling tonight I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the two kingfishers landing on the same rod, futher more using it as a perch to fish from. It was incrediable I was so jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I know what you mean, but did you watch it all the way through. If you did then the best moment had to be that Kingfisher that landed on that young kids rod, only six feet from his face. Magic.

If you haven't seen this programme before give yourself a treat and watch it again. I hop they do the full six episodes as they are all brilliant.

I have actually got all six episodes on tape and every now and again I watch it and wonder why I packed in Angling when you see the likes of Barn Owl and Kingfishers.

John

John · #7 (**permalink**) 24-03-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

We watched this programme the first time round. I loved it

They have captured something of the past it reminds me of my childhood (45 yrs)

So sad they have fallen out life is too short. I loved the dogs they were brill

Your absolutely right. The type of fishing this pair did in the programme was a complete throwback to the old ways for the most part.

To me it was genius to capture the essence of being out in the countryside and combining all the wonderful sights together with nature in the raw.

John

Wild-Woman · #8 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 06:24 AM

Nuts-we've only got analogue TV. :-( ww

Alan · #9 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 09:51 AM

I bought the video and book to this series when they first came out. I'll have to blow the dust off and have a watch again. This type of fishing does take me back to my childhood when the spark in my nature interests first started. Though I don't fish know, I've had some of my best wildlife encounters whilst sitting behind rods, and I've actually had the Kingfisher on the end of the rod experience myself. Great memories.

carlj · #10 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 10:42 AM

Fishing, with the exception of shooting wildlife, is probably the only sport that puts you in places where you'll encounter such wonderful sights. I've never fished, but have hung around places where fishing is undertaken because I know there'll be plenty to see. Must check out the program - may even look at a tuner card for pc and can watch it later!

nightshade · #11 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 01:52 PM

A Passion for Angling is what real angling is about,the fishing and the pleasure in being there(even if the fishing is hopeless)
A relic of a gentler age

John · #12 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

A Passion for Angling is what real angling is about,the fishing and the pleasure in being there(even if the fishing is hopeless)
A relic of a gentler age

Excellently put Nightshade and I totally agree with your sentiments.

I used to be on the open contest circuit for many years then ran my own clubs for many years also before realising that I wasn't really getting the essence of what the sport is all about, getting back to nature. I became a specialist white water angler for Barbel which usually inhabit the wilder types of water and they usually are in the more spectacular parts of the country.

Being in those areas really made me appreciate nature as I had time to watch it instead of having to totally concentrate on trying to win the contest.

John

Lincs Yellowbelly · #13 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 05:35 PM

Brilliant series, got it on video , so i've watched it loads of times, totally sums up what fishing is about

Talking of kingfishers, i've had them land on my rods a few times over the years, but have never been able to get my camera to hand

Wild-Woman · #14 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 06:22 PM

Only ever seen one kingfisher. It went past like a turquoise bullet. I suppose they must get used to anglers. What a wonderful experience it must be to be so close to such a magnificent bird. Seen one on TV manoevre a minnow in its beak so it could swallow it without the scales getting caught in its throat as it went down. Magic. ww

John · #15 (**permalink**) 25-03-2006, 06:37 PM

If ever you see a programme coming up on TV called Halcyon River don't miss it. There's a scene with two fighting Kingfishers and a Mink that was totally stunning in impact. Footage the like that I doubt will ever be repeated and was totally awesome.

John

Jonny · #16 (**permalink**) 26-03-2006, 02:14 PM

A passion for angling...............Fanbloomingtastic. I have it on video too and also the book. What a superb programe it was. I used to get excited just waiting for it to come on. I have also read a couple of Chris Yaytes books, casting at the sun was one and I can't remember the name of the other. He is a very good writer. Wish I was in the golden scale club..................Jon

Alan · #17 (**permalink**) 26-03-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

If ever you see a programme coming up on TV called Halcyon River don't miss it. There's a scene with two fighting Kingfishers and a Mink that was totally stunning in impact. Footage the like that I doubt will ever be repeated and was totally awesome.

John

I believe Halcyon River was first on a couple of years ago. I think it was made by BBC's Philippa Forrester, with her Cameraman husband. They also have a book about living on this river called 'River: a love story'.

Alan · #18 (**permalink**) 26-03-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny

A passion for angling...............Fanbloomingtastic. I have it on video too and also the book. What a superb programe it was. I used to get excited just waiting for it to come on. I have also read a couple of Chris Yaytes books, casting at the sun was one and I can't remember the name of the other. He is a very good writer. Wish I was in the golden scale club..................Jon

Secret Carp?

Jonny · #19 (**permalink**) 26-03-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Secret Carp?

Yes
Shhhhhhhhhhhhh..............Jon

pheonix · #20 (**permalink**) 27-03-2006, 01:17 PM

when you go fishing you naturally sit quietly and still so the wildlife you can see at some sites is fantastic. my best day was seein daubentons out in the open in the middle of the afternoon, god nows why but it was great to see.

John · #21 (**permalink**) 27-03-2006, 01:28 PM

I know what daubentons are but I certainly wouldn't know what they looked like.

I suppose one bat looks like another to an untrained eye.

John

pheonix · #22 (**permalink**) 27-03-2006, 01:40 PM

well i made an educated guess at daubentons because they were skimming the water and thats generally what daubentons do, but it could have been any medium sized bat i spose...

Jonny · #23 (**permalink**) 27-03-2006, 06:20 PM

Please delete this mods..........Jon (can't find the delete button)

Jonny · #24 (**permalink**) 27-03-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheonix

when you go fishing you naturally sit quietly and still so the wildlife you can see at some sites is fantastic. my best day was seein daubentons out in the open in the middle of the afternoon, god nows why but it was great to see.

You are right there.............I remember seeing deer rutting on the opposite side of the lake I was fishing at the time. I once had a big dragonfly that kept on landing on my bare knee, I was nervous at first, but he only wanted to sunbathe, got a photo somewhere. You almost became part of nature as you sat there....................Jon

Salmo thymallus · #25 (**permalink**) 28-03-2006, 03:00 PM

Hi all.
I've not had Kingfishers on the rod, they would need a very good grip as I fly fish.
Fishing the upper reaches of rivers I constantly see kingfishers, dippers, grey wagtails and the like as well as deer, Stoat, Otter, colonies of sand martins, Buzzards, Red Kites not to mention mayfly hatches, the list goes on and on.

On one of our rivers up here in Yorkshire it was reported that we had Osprey taking trout last summer. Unfortunately I didn’t witness it but will be keeping a look out this summer.
There's something special being stood waist high in the river in the summer months with a fly hatch taking place and trout and Grayling gulping them down around you.

I recomend it to all.

"I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a Grayling"
Tennyson, The Brook