Barbel Fishing – The Pope’s River Diary: January

[FishingMagic]

This is a dedicated thread for discussing article: Barbel Fishing – The Pope’s River Diary: January

[Fred Bonney]

I think Steve is getting into this Diary lark.

A very good read, and with the potential to open up some discussion.

Keep it up.

[longshaw]

I think the list of requirements speaks volumes about what is so intrinsically wrong with the commercialisation of the Barbel Society and why so many real people no longer want anything to do with its leadership who judge anglers by their commercial success and how they have sold themselves to a gullible public.

[MarkTheSpark]

Maybe that's a bit strong, but it's a good point; it takes a certain kind of person to care who's on the list, and I know some superb barbel anglers who not only won't be on it, they wouldn't want to be on it.

Although I am guilty as sin in my former life on Angling Times of endlessly writing about 'star anglers' and creating this supposed celebrity culture, in later life I have started to think it rather pointless. That's not to put Steve down in any way - each to his own. And certainly not to doubt Steve's credentials for assembling the list.

But it's my belief that reducing the pastime of angling with all its facets and all its attractions to lists and numbers does it a disservice; yes, keep a record of what people have caught, by all means, but I don't see that translates into creating hierarchies of anglers.

Some of the best anglers I have ever fished with - and there are a few well-known ones among them - have no interest at all in this kind of thing, and told me off when I did it in the past. Angling is a very 'personal' pastime.

[Rich Frampton]

Originally Posted by longshaw

I think the list of requirements speaks volumes about what is so intrinsically wrong with the commercialisation of the Barbel Society and why so many real people no longer want anything to do with its leadership who judge anglers by their commercial success and how they have sold themselves to a gullible public.

lol....not sure what you read but I think Steve was indicating abit more than that!!! lol
I can assure you that the BS has hundreds of real people as members and that the committee have not,as you state , sold their souls to commercial success.Get real and perhaps contribute instead.
Rich.

[gingerbeard]

Reading Steve's article and also the included photo, I've realised that I've met and had a very good conversation with Dave Mason on the river bank in the past. I clearly had no idea who he was or how well known in the barbel circle he is, but he was nice guy, just chatting about his love for fishing and passing on a little knowledge of the river to me. I wish him a speedy recovery.

[Rich Frampton]

Dave is a really great bloke.....I hope he makes a full recovery but I fear it may be a long road.In the meantime,let's just hope and pray that all goes well.

[Fred Bonney]

Originally Posted by Rich Frampton

lol....not sure what you read but I think Steve was indicating abit more than that!!! lol
I can assure you that the BS has hundreds of real people as members and that the committee have not,as you state , sold their souls to commercial success.Get real and perhaps contribute instead.
Rich.

They do say ignorance is bliss Rich!

[Peter Jacobs]

Originally Posted by longshaw

I think the list of requirements speaks volumes about what is so intrinsically wrong with the commercialisation of the Barbel Society and why so many real people no longer want anything to do with its leadership who judge anglers by their commercial success and how they have sold themselves to a gullible public.

Really?

Are we on FM going to do this all over . . . . . AGAIN?

[Fred Bonney]

It shouldn't do Peter, it's only the same person with a different name!