Selfish Anglers
Has common courtesy and angling etiquette vanished completely? Or am I old fashioned and fussy? I am beginning to think that it is me that is out of step with the rest of the fishing fraternity.
I have referred to this problem in the past and I bring it up again out of sheer exasperation. After being assiduously tracked down by an imitation 'Para' a few weeks ago, a similar thing happened last week. I arrived at one of my favourite waters on Tuesday morning quite early. No one else was fishing this lovely ten acre reservoir and I quickly got my rod and line organised and was into some hungry rainbows by 7.30 a.m. Lovely day, grand sport…….
Like a guided missile
Then, another angler arrived and made his way unerringly, like a guided missile, around the reservoir and came and plonked himself literally within ten yards of me. This was very irksome and, being peace-loving, I moved a few yards down the bank. It took him nearly half an hour to set up his rod and this included dropping first his rod and then his landing net in the water and then knocking over a bottle of lemonade that bounced three times down the dam wall and splashed into the water.
I mentioned this to him and pointed out that any sensible trout would have disappeared over the watery horizon by now due to his antics. He muttered that he'd paid his day ticket and could fish wherever he wished. I said that this did not entitle him to upset fellow anglers, nor indeed the fish! I then moved as far away from him as possible struggling to get my blood pressure and adrenalin back to normal.
This week I witnessed something equally selfish. I watched an angler fishing off a point on the same reservoir about a hundred yards away from me. He was catching well; there was hatch of dark Olives in progress and he had matched it well. He must have taken eight or nine fish in forty minutes. Then, along comes another chap, sees what's happening and makes his way on the point and begins to fish alongside. It almost looked choreographed; casting in unison if not harmony. The late-comer stood next to and slightly back from the occupying angler but within five yards of him. What appallingly selfish behaviour. The incumbent soon packed up and moved away but he'd had his fishing thoroughly spoilt by this boorish chap.
I cannot understand this mentality. Most anglers like a little companionship but not many want someone fishing uninvited in their swims. In this second case, the two were so close it was almost an indecent assault. Not to labour the point, these ignorant intruders often wear white shirts or brilliant yellow sweaters as well as making a lot of noise. You can wager your mortgage nowadays that their mobile phones will be blasting out “My Way” inside ten minutes and they then carry on some banal conversation with someone they only left twenty minutes ago. They attack all the sensory organs of the fish simultaneously and then make statements like, “There's not many fish in this water” when they fail to catch.
Now for some Good News…
A couple of weeks ago I broke the top section of my Fulling Mill rod. It snapped just as I was easing a smallish rainbow into the net. No great strain there but it went with a crack. I was really disappointed for this 5-weight nine foot rod has become quite a favourite of mine and works well even in moderately windy conditions. It has a good action and turns the line over nicely for a delicate approach.
The rod was purchased with a guarantee and, acting according to the terms, I parcelled it up and sent it back to Fulling Mill with a brief description of what had happened.
The rod arrived back only five days later complete with brand new top section. No post mortems, no quibbles and a very speedy response. Just like it said on the advertisements. Well done Fulling Mill! All credit to you for a quick and honest job. Oh, and thanks for the list of handy hints enclosed on best use of the rod!
Lancashire Salmon & Trout Association
I must pass on my compliments to the committee of the Lancashire Branch who do so much hard work in promoting our sport. Their best work is being done with young anglers and they have regular monthly sessions at their own water, Wharf Lake, at Scorton near Lancaster. Not only do they teach casting to the kids but all other aspects of angling including entomology, water craft, care of fish, etiquette(!), care of other wild life and conservation.
There is an ideal opportunity here for young people in Lancashire to learn about angling and how to fish and be taught by qualified and dedicated anglers. I also believe that you may borrow rods and tackle at these sessions. These special classes run right through the summer and any youngster interested should ring the telephone number below for further information.
Contact for further information: 01200 423954
Footnote
After a month of heavy rain and intransigent winds we have just enjoyed four or five days of hot sun, clear skies and high temperatures to see off a very wet May. Lancashire has been hotter than Lanzerotte. Everyone loves it! Or do they? I thinks it's awful weather for fishing and no one else understands my point of view on this. Roll on the showers and cooling breezes.
Tight Lines!
Eddie Caldwell
