Fish and fishing

[Rich]

I love fishing.

I started at the age of 7 fishing for gudgeon at the pond at Walton-on-the-hill in Surrey. I spent all the time I should have been studying for my O-levels fishing at Hampton Court park and the Thames etc.

Then in 1973 I married and my fishing time dwindled as my time was given over to other things.

I recently looked at starting again, but things have changed so much.

The record weights of fish have ballooned, methods and baits are solely concerned with catching huge fish and it is sad.

Ponds are stocked with huge imported carp and each big one has a name.

I loved fishing, and went for the beauty of the solitude, catching a fish was a bonus, but now the whole ethos has changed. It's typical of today's world I suppose, not better, just bigger.

[Mark43]

I agree..........i used to do it many moons ago and loved it but just didn't seem to have the time in later years.

But it doesn't mean you have to follow today's ethos............just go and fish how you want to fish.......if you catch a tiddler so what.

[Rich]

You're right Mark. In attempting to be brief I didn't make myself clear.

The new baits and groundbaits are so full of protein that the fish are growing bigger. I feel that catching a large fish nowadays is tantamount to taking drugs to win an Olympic gold medal.

They are doing a great deal of damage to our waterways, and I will stick with traditional baits and methods, which do no harm to the ecosystem.

I was fishing in Ireland last year. I caught nothing, but a kingfisher landed on my rod and sat there for a minute, 8 feet away from me. That was better than catching any fish.

[John]

Hi Rich

I no longer go fishing as birdwatching has completely taken over my leisure life but I was an angler for over 40 years prior to that. I fished in open contests at a high level (I even beat Kevin Ashurst one year when he was in the next peg to me), ran my own club, was on committees as well but one thing I never really got into was still water fishing. I was a river man myself and actually my last 5 or more years of angling I became a specimen Barbel angler.

Apart from stillwater Tench at the old start of the season (which was how I always started the new season - when all waters had a close season) I was always out on a river.

IMHO you can't beat river fishing. Far more skill to it as there are so many issues that have to be conquered if you are to catch your quarry.

Forget all these new fangled baits and techniques. The old ways will still catch fish on a river and the you will feel better for it.

BTW when I was a specimen Barbel Angler it used to amuse me when I watched other anglers lobbing out huge feeders full of all sorts of exotic baits together with huge lumps of meat or boilies as hook bait. How did I fish for them. A large Avon float shotted down at the bottom and then to edge my bait into the various eddy's and gulley's and margins where I thought the fish were. A steady feed of hemp and casters and that was it. Nothing fancy and yet I had some impressive fish in my time.

Don't be put of by what you read or hear. Get started again. Get the required tackle and just go. In the end fishing is all about going out and haveing a relaxed time. You can be as busy or as lazy as you like and as your skills improve so will your enjoyment of the sport improve.

Tight Lines.

John

[jezlee]

My story is pretty much the same - my Dad took me fishing when I was about 10. It was on a canal, and I had a little spinning rod of my own. Dad baited it up with a maggot and I cast in (eventually) .... within minutes I had caught a young Perch .... and I was hooked!! (pun intended)

I fished fairly regularly for the next 10-15 years until I got married and had kids and then other responsibilities meant that I gradually gave up fishing. That's when I took up birdwatching ....

For both activities, though, the real pleasure for me has always been the joy of being out in the fresh air, in the countryside, away from the noise and bustle and pollution of city life .... pure pleasure!!

[canonman]

Hi
I used to be a mad fisherman many years ago; I used to do a lot of match fishing.
It was on one of those bad days ( catching nothing) that I started to notice the wildlife around me, that got me wondering about the damage some of us fishermen were doing to the water ways, not to mention the fish, and the environment.
Slowly I was converted to a wildlife nut, and I must say I have never regretted it
I have seen many a fisherman causing damage to get comfortable in their pegs, breaking tree branches, beating down wildflowers with keep net poles ( not knowing if they were rare plants or not) and much more.
In my days of fishing it used to be Ground bait, maggots and worms sweet corn and the like.
We also used bard hooks, that caused a lot of damage to the fish, if it was not removed properly and I have seen a lot of anglers just rip hooks out not caring about the damage they do, ( must stress most anglers are not like this I think it was a lack of education those days) please to see that to day barbless hooks are more the norm.
Most people at the end of fishing would throw away all the bait left into the river or canal, depending on where they were fishing, this would then slow rot on the bottom if not washed away with the current, at today’s prices for bait I assume most anglers take this back home with them but I could be wrong.
Sorry to say that it appears nowadays anything goes for fishing so long as they catch fish. The baits being used now are wide and various, dread to think of what some of it is doing to the water ways.
I can only assume research is being done on the baits to see if this is the case.
Sorry if this sound like a rant at fishermen, it is not meant to be, I think we are all entitled to enjoy the countryside in are own way.
I’m sure many fishermen would agree the best way to protect their sport is also to protect the environment, and educate the youngster coming into it about the possible damage they could cause if neglectful
Mick
.

[nightshade]

I was looking for bat roosts in trees around a lake ,on the public footpath,I was approached by a bailiff who told me not to take pictures of people fishing as they did not want to give away the size of the fish in case of rustling!
I remember going fishing on that particular lake when you saw someone who would wave
from the opposite bank ,now they are almost shoulder to shoulder with2-3 rods desperate to catch,and actually fretting about baits,rigs,and how they would account for catching nowt!
I preferred the river with a single rod and my kit in a gas mask bag,and tench on the canal before anyone else arrived ,with all the wildlife to myself

[UB4 gardener]

I think i was 7 when i started fishing and 9 when i started birdwatching, I still do both 30 years later. But I was blinkered up until about 5 or 6 years ago when one day i saw a butterfly i didn't rememeber seeing before, I think I only knew Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, peacock and "a blue". I went out and bought a "complete" guide to british wildlife. it turned out to be a comma and ever since then i have been engrossed in all aspects including planting native wild flowers in the garden. running a moth trap and even though i only have a nikon3100 i do try to get pictures of the insects,spiders etc i see. Bees have been a problem though

[Bushcraft]

I have to agree with all the statements here. Fishing was once a way to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life, but now its more busy on the banks of the local lake or river than in the high street. Most fishermen have a minimum of two rods set up with bite alarms and all kinds of gizmos. I have even seen fisherman with remote control boats to deposit the bait over the hookbait, these things were about £500!!! and people actually paid for them. To me this is complete madness. If its not the latest gadgets its the latest baits, I know people who wont think twice about spending several hundred pounds on bait for a weekends fishing!

I keep it nice and simple, a single rod a traditional set up, old style bait and I go for my favourite fish which is the Perch. If im fishing for food for my survival courses then I may choose a different target species.

I think the main thing to remember is that fishing although hated by some is one of the reasons many of us get involved with nature as it teaches us from an early age to have respect for our surroundings. Yes, there are some bad anglers around but most of us care for the environment in which we fish and look after it for the wildlife and future generations to enjoy.

I also want to mention I only ever use barbless hooks, even if im fishing for the pot.

[MalcolmX]

just a few comments on the thread so far ,i am an active angler and director and secretary of the carp society and we maintain 3 lakes in the uk horseshoe lake in lechlade being the main one . the baits used on this lake are boilies hemp and trout pellet ,this lake is one of the top waters in the uk and we have never had any evidence of long term harm from the baits we use . all baits are allowable with exception of peanuts which if not prepared properly they can be harmful .the ecological balance on this lake is outstanding we have all kinds of wild life including about 25 kingfisher pairs and we are a migratory platform for birds moving thru the uk .we will not tolerate the sort of behavior that some of you have alluded to and we are constantly striving to improve the standards of angling .

we do not allow the use of barbed hooks or any form of retention of carp for longer than it takes to photograph the fish . there is a debate currently whether barb hos do less damage to the moth than unbarbed hooks that can revolve and create a bigger hole than barbed hooks do .
imop the advances in angling over the years has been beneficial to the fish and to the environment general and whilst i understand that we often view the past through rose glasses i would not like to return to the tackle and practices that were used in my youth

[Jonny]

I also agree with this threads imput, but I do think most anglers are conservationists and do respect the enviorment, but you will always get the bad eggs, as in anything.
Have you guys read Casting at the sun by Chris Yaytes, excellent read that will take you back to the good old days of fishing...............Jon

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by Rich

You're right Mark. In attempting to be brief I didn't make myself clear.

The new baits and groundbaits are so full of protein that the fish are growing bigger. I feel that catching a large fish nowadays is tantamount to taking drugs to win an Olympic gold medal.

They are doing a great deal of damage to our waterways, and I will stick with traditional baits and methods, which do no harm to the ecosystem.
I was fishing in Ireland last year. I caught nothing, but a kingfisher landed on my rod and sat there for a minute, 8 feet away from me. That was better than catching any fish.

To be honest i think you are way off the mark with this coment baits such as boilies are absolutly brilliant for the fish and the other creatures that live within a River/lake, if they are not eaten by big fish the little ones will peck them down and eat them, and if not by the little fish the small creatures will benifit from them they are full of protein and fish love them. You are not making fish fat and unheathly with baits such as this, you are giving them the opertunity to grow to there natural ceiling weights

I think in Angling there are different types of people, you obviously have the specimen type anglers, who simply want to catch big fish(usually Carp) but on the other hand you have the anglers who enjoy catching fish whatever the size. Me personally if i see a fish i like the look of i will target it, whether it is 15lb or 40lb it makes no difference to me, and most of my friends are the same

[Rich]

If I'm off the mark then perhaps you have a theory as to why rod caught records have gone through the roof in recent years. Is it that modern tactics have made fishing easier these days? I don't know. I only know that record fish used to be a rare occurrence, a double figure tench, for example, was unheard of a few years ago. Almost all records have been broken since 1990 some almost doubling.

Something is going on.

[Airehead]

A lot of views have been stated here and I agree with most of the more conservative ones.
When I returned to fishing after about 20 years I was dismayed at the impression I got from the Angling Times that GREED was now the main driving force. I wrote to them as a result of a photo they printed of many bream laid out on the bank, to complain that their manner of journalism encouraged practices which were bound to damage fish, particularly as a result of overcrowded keep nets and long-winded photography, and accused them of hypocrisy. In their reply they treated me as a whingeing wimp, published my letter as 'Letter of the week' and sent me a keep net! I have not read AT since. It has fallen a long way since oooooooooooooooo Walker and Bernard Venables.

In spite of this attitude, most clubs have sensible rules and do try to enforce them. The result is that a lot of people are learning to appreciate our natural heritage who would otherwise not have done so. I have the impression that most of the slow learners are those who frequent commercial fisheries (when I tested one a few years ago I had to listen to a loud conversation between two anglers who were amazed when a kingfisher flew past, and could not identify the fish they caught. In spite of which they did not seem to be new anglers). I certainly prefer the rivers, which thankfully remain reasonably quiet.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by Rich

If I'm off the mark then perhaps you have a theory as to why rod caught records have gone through the roof in recent years. Is it that modern tactics have made fishing easier these days? I don't know. I only know that record fish used to be a rare occurrence, a double figure tench, for example, was unheard of a few years ago. Almost all records have been broken since 1990 some almost doubling.

Something is going on.

I only think you are off the mark in saying that the baits are doing damage to the waterways, if the fish are getting bigger then that doesn't point to any damage being done

As to why records have incresed, i think its to do with a number of different factors. Firstly the quality of bait and the advent of high quality boilies and pellets have no doubt helped the fish grow to a bigger weight. Secondly, many of the big fish are coming from venues that weren't about 20years ago, Gravel Pits that have only recently been fished are resonsable for some huge fish, these waters are mega rich, unlike the old silty venues of the past. And thirdly, i think the standard of angler and angling methods have improved vastly over the last quarter of a decade.

[gmsmith]

Originally Posted by Rich

If I'm off the mark then perhaps you have a theory as to why rod caught records have gone through the roof in recent years. Is it that modern tactics have made fishing easier these days? I don't know. I only know that record fish used to be a rare occurrence, a double figure tench, for example, was unheard of a few years ago. Almost all records have been broken since 1990 some almost doubling.

Something is going on.

Hi Rich, one and all, great thread Rich . I having fished for many years as a pleasure angler with the exception of Sea, Game and Match fishing. I am not a scientist, or biologist or have any expert knowledge of wildlife, fish or otherwise I have kept fish for many years in tanks and pond and have my pet oscar as my avatar. I have fished for various types of fish starting on a filthy canal as a young boy (not that many years ago hmmm hmmm ) for gudgeon, roach, perch and the like, and various village ponds for the odd tench. and having for the last 15 years or so, on and off, fished for carp. I certainly enjoy fishing for as large a fish as possible it is a bonus if you can beat your PERSONEL best. this do'es not mean that a small fish is much less apreciated, my personel best was caught at 2am on a very wet and windy night at Great Linford Lakes MK where I and my son are members. that was the night Princess Diana tragically died, and have yet to better that fish and may never do so but when that buzzer sounds yes you heard right "buzzer" your heart leaps into your mouth. DON'T KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT, there are many out there that know what I mean, I was cold and wet through that night, had to carefully play the fish for 20 minutes before I could safely land, check the fish over, take a quick few photo's for the record and safely place back to the water to recover, within a few minutes he gently swam away into the darkness. I was trembling from head to toe and it is an experience I have not matched to-date, fishing wise. There are thousands of people out there doing this every weekend all year round. and the VAST majority are decent folk enjoying there fishing, surroundings, and sometimes the company of those like minded people and caring for their favourd fish. There are of course a few NUMPTIES and I don't mind telling them so, that do destroy habitat, and spoil, what is a pastime (i personally do not see it as a sport) to millions. With regards the increasing size of fish, the famous Chris Yates, caught a then record carp of some 51lb. that was thirty odd years ago, yes there are more fish 50lb+ around now, because many lake owners have stocked fish because there is money to be made, some have actually dugout farmland and turned them into lakes, but to be honest some have actually gone about it in the right way and has actually helped the environment, and established small conservation areas where many species of bird, insect and flower now thrive. The rules at many of these sites are made specifically for the protection of the lake and it's residents. but as with everything in life there is always some dipstick that will try to spoil it , IF WE LET THEM. There is no evidence that "I am aware of" published or otherwise that Boilies are the reason for increased fish growth, but trout pellets thats a different story as they are used to bring fish on, but again without any detriment to the health of the fish, (of course I may stand corrected) there are some waters where these baits are banned. with little or no difference to the size of the resident fish or to the quality of the water, without doubt if these fish were not fished for to start with and no bait was used they "may" not be the size they are now, however, with improving water quality over the last 30+ years it means that natural food is more readily available which in turn will help with the growth rate. Many of these fish thrive on the continent and far exceed the growth rate we see in Britain and many are not fished for. I don't think that rod caught fish records have gone through the roof as you put it, yes there have been increases but there are far more fish around and more people trying to catch them it is bound to happen but it is'nt a bad thing in fact the more people that visit these waters the more likely that these people will demand good fishing and with good management they will continue to thrive as will the rest of the inhabitants. I have seen some waters go into decline and it is a sorry state with the obligatory shopping trolly etc, what a waste. But the evironment agency who in my view do a great service with the help of rod licence fees, have turned some of these forgotten pools back to there former glory. I have fished horseshoe at Letchlade which was mentioned a few threads ago, Boilies had been used for many years, and the fish I have caught from this water are superb healthy fish, carp or otherwise. If fishing tactics have made it easier to catch fish then I am doing something wrong, by using an indicator (mini microns for those in the know) I have been able to relax a bit more and take notice of the wildlife around me, These guys who continue to catch what appears to be ever increasing weights like Terry Hern etc spend all of there spare time and more in the persuit of their chosen HOBBY/PASTIME and now write books on the subject, these are passionate people and will get to know there craft well, and good on them power to their elbow and all that, Just as if I spend all my time with my new camera, I might take piccies like OY, or Glsammy, or Ollie, or Barbara. or any number of other fantastic photographers on WAB .

Get out there and enyoy your passion, it's still there! things move on, as has the filthy canal i used to fish, honestly there are more people now than ever before with an interest in our surroundings and countryside. WABBIES rule

Anyway I'll shut up and go and practice recharging the battery or something.

Good thread Rich,

waiting to be shot down

Geoff

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Excellent reply Geoff

Just in reply to this quote "There is no evidence that "I am aware of" published or otherwise that Boilies are the reason for increased fish growth, but trout pellets thats a different story as they are used to bring fish on, but again without any detriment to the health of the fish, (of course I may stand corrected) there are some waters where these baits are banned"


From my experience of using good quality "food bait", these are highly benifical for the fish and creepy crawlies that live in the lake, probably more so than trout pellets, which are very high in protein but probably to high when used in high quanities, although used moderatly does no cause any harm

[Jonny]

Cheers Geoff, enjoyed reading that. I like your reasoning about the water quality being better these days, so there is more natural food for the fish. I still think, like you mentioned, trout pellets, which are, or were, used a lot in fishing, is another reason that fish have grown more these days. I used to use one of them disolving bags, full of pellets and my rig and lob that out into the lake, and I used to catch well using that tecnique.
Miss going fishing these days, still have loads of photo's and memories...............Jon

[Rich_]

There have been a lot of good points raised, here and generally what Rich says in the first message I could not dispute. Society has changed in the last thirty odd years, and as anglers are just a cross section of society, these changes are reflected in the sport too. We want everything now, and there is a short cut to everything, from our plastic money (saving up for stuff seems old fashioned now) to specimen fish.It's not all bad in fishing though, and nothing says you can't do your own thing, and remember, it's anglers that follow the trends not the fish! I stopped buying angling magazines on a regular basis a while ago and never buy the weeklies, but I don't enjoy the fishing any less because I am not using THE latest lure or bait.

I have made frequent visits to N Yorkshire over the years, where there are some of the finest river fisheries in the land, yet many seem to prefer recently dug, heavily stocked carp lakes, where success is much easier. This is not what I like to do, and I have never yet fished one of these places. That, however is only my preference, and there are plus points to these places.They have matured & become havens for all kinds of wild life,to which the owners of these lakes are sympathetic, as Malcolm has pointed out, and it is far better to have a lake complex constructed and managed properly, than another Tescos or housing estate built there.

With so many fishing on the commercial fisheries you should find it easier to find the solitude you always enjoyed on your local river, or places which don't have a reputation for big fish. It's what you enjoy that counts. I also believe a big fish that turns up out of the blue is far more enjoyable than getting one from somewhere it is almost guaranteed.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Rich_

There have been a lot of good points raised, here and generally what Rich says in the first message I could not dispute. Society has changed in the last thirty odd years, and as anglers are just a cross section of society, these changes are reflected in the sport too. We want everything now, and there is a short cut to everything, from our plastic money (saving up for stuff seems old fashioned now) to specimen fish.It's not all bad in fishing though, and nothing says you can't do your own thing, and remember, it's anglers that follow the trends not the fish!

I have made frequent visits to N Yorkshire over the years, where there are some of the finest river fisheries in the land, yet many seem to prefer recently dug, heavily stocked carp lakes, where success is much easier. This is not what I like to do, and I have never yet fished one of these places. That, however is only my preference, and there are plus points to these places.They have matured & become havens for all kinds of wild life,to which the owners of these lakes are sympathetic, as Malcolm has pointed out, and it is far better to have a lake complex constructed and managed properly, than another Tescos or housing estate built there.

With so many fishing on the commercial fisheries you should find it easier to find the solitude you always enjoyed on your local river, or places which don't have a reputation for big fish. It's what you enjoy that counts. I also believe a big fish that turns up out of the blue is far more enjoyable than getting one from somewhere it is almost guaranteed.

Very well put Rich...........Jon

[Rich_]

Cheers Jon,

I think fishing is also one of the best ways of wildlife watching. The birds etc seem to get used to you being there and ignore you after a while and carry on as normal and I've seen things while fishing I'd maybe never have seen.Some wildlife and birdwatchers I know have never seen a kingfisher and are jealous when you say you see them all the time sat by the lake or river.

Do you not get much fishing in now Jon?

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Rich_

Cheers Jon,

I think fishing is also one of the best ways of wildlife watching. The birds etc seem to get used to you being there and ignore you after a while and carry on as normal and I've seen things while fishing I'd maybe never have seen.Some wildlife and birdwatchers I know have never seen a kingfisher and are jealous when you say you see them all the time sat by the lake or river.

Do you not get much fishing in now Jon?

I agree with you, I have a photo somewhere (must dig it out) of a dragonfly sitting on my knee, that made my fishing trip, I remember watch deer rutting on the other bank, amazing.
Unfortunatley I no longer go fishing, work has got busier and busier and what with a wife and two kids, and these damn forums , I have not much time. Have good memories and will start again one day, I'm sure.................Jon