Barbel Fishing – The Pope’s River Diary: January

[Fred Bonney]

You're still abusing behind a false name though, so no confidence in your own ability at all, it seems to me!


I've been actively involved for the last two years, by the way.

 

[longshaw]

The only person abusing is you Fred,I'm just expressing a personal opinion and stand by it in that in my opinion one should not use a position of power as the head of an organisation for personal gain by using that title in advertising personal services which is clearly repeated throughout Steve's website advertising for his guiding services.
I am also completely against the commercialisation of barbel fishing as discussed on the other thread running at the moment with youngsters expectations of a sponsorship deal based on some of the antics of Steve's nominated celebrities.
If you have a problem with posters using a nom de plume perhaps you should take it up with the Editor.

 

[mark barrett 2]

I think it is a very worthwhile subject Steve, it is assumed that the celeb culture in angling is a good thing, its fair to say they appear to have little or no overt harm, they have become entertainers, where the influential anglers of the past were motivational, inspirational and ground breaking in the inventions and ideas. The few that we have now are truly in it for what they can get out of it in a commercial sense, we know everyone has to make a living, I have no problem with that, but I really believe the culture that exists today with these showman, is a message that is blurred and fanciful, it is throw away and has no substance, to give the impression that all these guys have to do is turn up and catch a fish of a life time is wrong, because we know this isnt so, I would love to be able to wave a magic wand and get back to basics and stop the sponsorship paid culture, I have no problem with guiding services, a level of product endorsement, I have no problem with tackle shops or manufacturers advertising, commercialism is good and makes the world go round, as I see it its the message these so called professional, celebs that we have at the minute are giving out, they are doing no good for Angling one jot, infact they devalue it in my opinion.

What a load of nonsense. I would love to know what you term a proffessional angler mate, as tomeit is someone that generates the greater part or all of their income from angling.By that criteria I doubt that there are any more than a dozen anglers tops that fit that criteria in the UK.
Why you think such a small body could be such a harm to angling is beyond me.

 

[Fred Bonney]

The only person abusing is you Fred,I'm just expressing a personal opinion and stand by it in that in my opinion one should not use a position of power as the head of an organisation for personal gain by using that title in advertising personal services which is clearly repeated throughout Steve's website advertising for his guiding services.
I am also completely against the commercialisation of barbel fishing as discussed on the other thread running at the moment with youngsters expectations of a sponsorship deal based on some of the antics of Steve's nominated celebrities.
If you have a problem with posters using a nom de plume perhaps you should take it up with the Editor.

As I have said before, I have no problem with pretend names, but if you have something to say about anybody put your name behind it, what are you afraid of?
Even old slimey Elliott puts his name to his posts.

---------- Post added at 14:34 ---------- Previous post was at 14:19 ----------

Perhaps, and I think I know who you are anyway,(beware of who you think you're friends are) your frightened that your own shortcomings will be revealed ?

 

[longshaw]

Oh dear Fred now that is really not very nice after all the help Graham gave you catching your first and only dub mg:
Now if anybody deserves celebrity status, for the work he's done for Macmillan rather than himself personally, he should be top of the list

 

[Fred Bonney]

I have had several doubles since(if that really matters), but it was said by some, your mates from another site,to be a false double, used only for publicity.
I won't comment on that as I didn't see the scales, but have always accepted it as my first double

As for his work for charity, many others don't need to sing their own praises, they just get on and do it!

 

[magna barbus]

What a load of nonsense. I would love to know what you term a proffessional angler mate, as to me it is someone that generates the greater part or all of their income from angling.By that criteria I doubt that there are any more than a dozen anglers tops that fit that criteria in the UK.
Why you think such a small body could be such a harm to angling is beyond me.

What I term as a professional angler Mark, are not Tackle shop owners or manufacturers, they run business's and I agree with you with your statement of a professional angler, i.e. someone who gets their greater part or all of their income from angling, and you are right in saying that there no more than a dozen ish, but we have to accept that angling is a relatively small world and these individuals have a tremendous amount of influence and I believe give out the wrong message, if we accept we have approx 20 celebs, that through the medium of DVD's, articles, photos, adverts etc. there influence is considerable in proportion to angling as a whole, their total blatant advertising in each piece of work they do is nauseating, the way they turn up and catch fish of a lifetime is a lie, and gives the wrong message out and creates despondency and a feeling failure, I detect little humility or failure in their writing,no blanks, no missed bites or lost fish.
How can anybody who as recently been taken on as a paid consultant be totally unbiased when they recommend a particular rod or bait, their opinion is flawed. But what concerns me more is how they have distorted the message of angling by suggesting through their writing style they are the best, their tackle is the best, their hat is the best and whatever bait they are being given is the best. There is a thin line between endorsement of a product and total bare faced advertising and that's where they fall down and become discredited, I know one very well known angler who has a range of rods and other stuff under his name and he totally agrees with me the stuff that bares his name is total ****, and most of it is made in China for a fiver! In a way I can live with the tackle name dropping to a degree, what I cant live with is the way they are not truthful on their fish captures and the way they are achieved, again I have knowledge of one very well known individual, got his mates to bait up for a week one particular swim on the Hants Avon and turned up and caught a known and repeatedly caught 13 pound Barbel and wrote about it as some magnificent achievement of turning up, finding the swim, slowly building it up and dropping a bait on the nose of the big Barbel and then catching it, when in essence that was'nt true. Perhaps its me being out of step and after all it is only my opinion and in the real world that doesnt count for much, but I thanks for your interesting comments and I hope I have answered your question.

 

[richiekelly]

"in essence that wasnt true" if that happened and i have no reason to think it didnt it was a BLOODY LIE, if i lied about the weight of a fish i would only be lying to myself as i mostly fish alone, a well known angler that lies fools not only himself but everyone that reads his lies i belive this can be very damaging to angling with youngsters coming into the sport beliving size is everything and giving up because they cant come anywhere near to emulating what they read in articles.

 

[mark barrett 2]

What I term as a professional angler Mark, are not Tackle shop owners or manufacturers, they run business's and I agree with you with your statement of a professional angler, i.e. someone who gets their greater part or all of their income from angling, and you are right in saying that there no more than a dozen ish, but we have to accept that angling is a relatively small world and these individuals have a tremendous amount of influence and I believe give out the wrong message, if we accept we have approx 20 celebs, that through the medium of DVD's, articles, photos, adverts etc. there influence is considerable in proportion to angling as a whole, their total blatant advertising in each piece of work they do is nauseating, the way they turn up and catch fish of a lifetime is a lie, and gives the wrong message out and creates despondency and a feeling failure, I detect little humility or failure in their writing,no blanks, no missed bites or lost fish.
How can anybody who as recently been taken on as a paid consultant be totally unbiased when they recommend a particular rod or bait, their opinion is flawed. But what concerns me more is how they have distorted the message of angling by suggesting through their writing style they are the best, their tackle is the best, their hat is the best and whatever bait they are being given is the best. There is a thin line between endorsement of a product and total bare faced advertising and that's where they fall down and become discredited, I know one very well known angler who has a range of rods and other stuff under his name and he totally agrees with me the stuff that bares his name is total ****, and most of it is made in China for a fiver! In a way I can live with the tackle name dropping to a degree, what I cant live with is the way they are not truthful on their fish captures and the way they are achieved, again I have knowledge of one very well known individual, got his mates to bait up for a week one particular swim on the Hants Avon and turned up and caught a known and repeatedly caught 13 pound Barbel and wrote about it as some magnificent achievement of turning up, finding the swim, slowly building it up and dropping a bait on the nose of the big Barbel and then catching it, when in essence that was'nt true. Perhaps its me being out of step and after all it is only my opinion and in the real world that doesnt count for much, but I thanks for your interesting comments and I hope I have answered your question.

I cant say whether or not the scenario that you describe is true mate i will take your word for it, but i cannot believe its commonplace. I was llucky enough to have been involved in making twenty plus programmes for TV and it wasnt how we operated. usually the waters that we fished were day ticket or commercial waters and we were open to the vagrancy of chance every time we went. In that time I am proud to say that we only failed to catch the target species once (catfish) and ironically it was the only time we pre-baited and had the run of the lake as the lake was closed to day tickets at that time (it was mainly a carp water).

As regards the whole consultancy business I dont recall seeing many say that therecompanies stuff was the best, they do say though what they use, the inference usually being placed by the reader. When I was at fox if someone asked me about say a rod to use I would declare my interest first and tell them which rod in that range iused. In my time at fox there was nothing that was released which i felt wasnt fit for purpose bar one product, which i told the fox designers was craop, refused to use and never endorsed. If other consultants do different thats down to them, but please do not assume that just because we are consultants we are all liars and immoral because thats just not true.

 

[richiekelly]

I cant say whether or not the scenario that you describe is true mate i will take your word for it, but i cannot believe its commonplace. I was llucky enough to have been involved in making twenty plus programmes for TV and it wasnt how we operated. usually the waters that we fished were day ticket or commercial waters and we were open to the vagrancy of chance every time we went. In that time I am proud to say that we only failed to catch the target species once (catfish) and ironically it was the only time we pre-baited and had the run of the lake as the lake was closed to day tickets at that time (it was mainly a carp water).

As regards the whole consultancy business I dont recall seeing many say that therecompanies stuff was the best, they do say though what they use, the inference usually being placed by the reader. When I was at fox if someone asked me about say a rod to use I would declare my interest first and tell them which rod in that range iused. In my time at fox there was nothing that was released which i felt wasnt fit for purpose bar one product, which i told the fox designers was craop, refused to use and never endorsed. If other consultants do different thats down to them, but please do not assume that just because we are consultants we are all liars and immoral because thats just not true.

I know for a fact that it happened on a dayticket stretch of the Trent for an article in Angling Times, the best swim on the stretch was roped off and baited for a week, i complained to the Angling Times by e mail but never heard anything back, what a surprise.

 

[magna barbus]

Its all very interesting and perhaps a lot deeper than we think, I don't suggest that cheating or lying is wide spread at the end of the day those type stories are purely anecdotal, and whilst we can take them on board we cant do much with them, but my point is this, because of the pressure on the so called celeb angler for their successful capture of specimen fish of any species.

I truly believe that theses guys will do anything to promote their status, I don't think they now get a buzz from seeing themselves in paper, I don't think they are motivated by the peace and tranquillity of a day by the water, I don't think they look forward to buying a new rod or reel, or maybe reading a book, they are totally consumed by their position as the current legend, a few weeks back I counted 8 euphemisms describing Angling Times regular contributors, they were as follows:

Anglings greatest all rounder,
Carp legend,
Barbel Ace,
Pike guru.....

I think because they (the celebs) see themselves and position threatened by supposed rivals, their message becomes blurred, I would like to see more emphasis on the thought process of Angling, you must admit we do a lot of it, I for one, have, for the last 40 odd years have probably every day, thought about fishing one way or another, problem solving, planning, frustration, excitement, success, the next trip etc. but the current trend of writing is: turn up, cast out, catch a fish of a lifetime, take my photo and aint I marvellous.

Let us see a little more depth and inspiration, rather than the familiar photographic guide to specimen hunting made easy... that is as long as you use this bait, and this rod lol!

 

[Judas Priest]

Evening all

Wot a load of tosh this thread is.

If you post a blog or piece and ask or hope for a "discussion" then in reality you've got to expect opinions of varying degrees. If all you post for is the slap on the back, isn't he brilliant type of reply then in reality (once again) you are delusional.
Fair do's to Steve though he seems to accept both, it's the usual two suspects who object on his behalf like screaming lovestruck school girls. Give it a rest guys and just accept that others DO have a differing opinion to yours.
Perhaps your time and effort may be better spent joining in on the helpful threads, such as Winter Baits and the like, and imparting your knowledge and experience to perhaps help others.

 

[Rich Frampton]

Evening all

Wot a load of tosh this thread is.

If you post a blog or piece and ask or hope for a "discussion" then in reality you've got to expect opinions of varying degrees. If all you post for is the slap on the back, isn't he brilliant type of reply then in reality (once again) you are delusional.
Fair do's to Steve though he seems to accept both, it's the usual two suspects who object on his behalf like screaming lovestruck school girls. Give it a rest guys and just accept that others DO have a differing opinion to yours.
Perhaps your time and effort may be better spent joining in on the helpful threads, such as Winter Baits and the like, and imparting your knowledge and experience to perhaps help others.

Read my comments again.....

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Moderator hat: Off, i.e. Personal opinion

Now let me see if I have the chronology right, maybe someone will care to corret me if I am wrong.

First off we had Barbel Wars, then Barbel Wars 2 which was closely followed by Barbel Wars 3.

Then came Son of Barbel Wars . . . . . .

After which came Barbel Wars the Sequel and then, Barbel Wars the Prequel 1 and 2.

Did I get it right or maybe I even missed out one or six!

For the love of God, if you don't like the Barbel Society, then don't join, but please don't come on here moaning and groaning about those who have joined or indeed those who run the show there.

It is fair enough to point out where you may or may not agree with points raised in an FM article, but we have had the bleating moaners for far too long when it comes to the Barbel Society; if you feel that strongly then go to thier site and complain on there - providing of course that you've not already been banned from there that is . . . . . . . .

Geeze louise, some of you are supposed to be grown men too . . . . .

Personal Rant over: moderator hat, back on . . . . .

 

[longshaw]

Peter,
So why put up a contentious self publicising article and start a thread specifically "for discussing article " if you don't want it,perhaps the next thread title should just be "for backslapping author" if that is what is preferred then you would just get more like Fred's idolatry from the few remaining disciples?
The reason why no one goes on their website any more is because any view other than that which is in praise of the leader or his decisions is immediately removed,one would have hoped under it's new leadership FM would be a broader church welcoming open and frank discussions as long as they were factual and non abusive which ,apart from Fred's comments ,we have had.

 

[Fred Bonney]

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.

Your very first post was abusive to the leadership, and the members of the Barbel Society, let alone Steve who can handle himself, and was full of lies.
Peter spotted it from the off.

Steve's Diary, had nothing whatsover to do with your comments which were based on no more than old grudges!

And then we see it, the old cry of victimisation comes up from those that attack and don't like it back up'em!!

 

[longshaw]

Which part of my comment was "lies" Fred?
All I have stated is that in my opinion Steve has become too commercialised as highlighted by this specific rehashed article which sought to glorify those he had chosen to nominate as celebrities.
I have also said that in my opinion it is wrong for somebody in a position of power to use that for personal gain.
Are you really saying that either of those clearly stated opinions are "lies"or are they in reality just at odds with your recently stated objective of publicising the BS on FM at every opportunity,unfortunately the facts show that this flawed strategy has failed to reverse the continuing exodus.
I really don't have a problem with you stating your opinion but do find it rather amusing when the mods criticise those with an alternative view and yet seemingly turn a blind eye to the free plugs others are quite correctly denied.

 

[Bluenose]

I really don't have a problem with you stating your opinion but do find it rather amusing when the mods criticise those with an alternative view and yet seemingly turn a blind eye to the free plugs others are quite correctly denied.

Expand on a few points please!

Whose plugs have I turned a blind eye to?
Whose plugs have I denied?
Whose alternative views have I criticised?

I'll wait!

 

[Fred Bonney]

Keep on wriggling, Steve's Diary has nothing to do with the Barbel Society, you continuing posts do.
If you were a member you would know everything you have stated in your posts are fabrications.
What's this about an exodus, you have no idea, too long away and bearing ancient grudges I'm afraid.

It's about time you composed a new songsheet, or got better toys to play with elsewhere, or are they broken?

 

[Simon K]

Evening all

Wot a load of tosh this thread is.

If you post a blog or piece and ask or hope for a "discussion" then in reality you've got to expect opinions of varying degrees. If all you post for is the slap on the back, isn't he brilliant type of reply then in reality (once again) you are delusional.
Fair do's to Steve though he seems to accept both, it's the usual two suspects who object on his behalf like screaming lovestruck school girls. Give it a rest guys and just accept that others DO have a differing opinion to yours.
Perhaps your time and effort may be better spent joining in on the helpful threads, such as Winter Baits and the like, and imparting your knowledge and experience to perhaps help others.

Pretty much agree with that.

I didn't think Steve's piece was anything more than a bit of "daydreaming" since the fishing side was obviously not happening for him. Who cares who he lists and whether they were B.S. (founder) members or not, that's his personal choice surely and is hardly going to influence anyone about anything one way or the other?

Nothing to get hot under the collar about from any point of view. :w