No one talks to me

[Kevi]

Had a day mid week fishing for roach on the swimfeeder at a very popular carp lake rumoured to produce a few big twos every year. A few of the carpers would wonder round and stop for a chat but as soon as they see the 1lb tc rods and a bucket of maggots they couldnt get away fast enough.
Is it me or if you dont fish for carp 24/7
are you not worthy
Ive done the carp thing....for more years than i care to remember...but cannot remember fobbing other anglers off.
still there loss there was a couple of carp bubbling and rolling on and off all day in the next swim but they didnt ask if i'd seen any thing......Kevi

 

[Mike Brown 4]

I have also noticed this a few times, but i suppose it is because they are looking for info on the carp. Although just cause this time you are after different quarry doesn't meen you don't fish for carp at all. Or that you don't have eyes!
And i do find that the hard core of carpers tend to think they are the upper class of fishermen, mabee because of the amount of money they spend on there kit. But then again i think we all judge people on first opinion and the kit they are using, rather than actually asking them how long they have been fishing and how sucsesfull they have been.

 

[Malc Bason]

I think sometimes its the other way round!

I currently only fish for carp. Several times I have been at a venue that is hardly carp fished and I've been in the company of match fishermen and/or other 'general' anglers. They have treated me like I'm scum! I have spoken in passing saying 'good morning' and the like and I have been ignored.

I have reeled in and walked around the lake to speak to one or two, and I have been met with the same ignorance.

The trouble is its always the carp angler that gets slated.

Why?

 

[Kevi]

I was in a popular swim with the carpers so some bloke feeding the bream in a good swim could have upset them a little...

 

[Mike Brown 4]

Malcum i didn't mean to slag off all carp anglers. all i'm saying is that like you said when you talk to another angler form a different group you do tend get shruged off. i think when it's match anglers they tend to be grumpy old men who are anoyed if you so much as breath to loudly never mind talk to them. i think it just needs people to be more open rather than not tell anyone anything in case they copy them. and maybee some people are just anti social.

 

[Mike Brown 4]

also i think that by using this forum and others like it people are showing that they want to share views and ideas with other anglers. it is this kind of comunication that is neede3d on the bank not just the net.

 

[Andrew Turton]

I am not a carp angler, just an enthusiastic amatuer who likes to try any style of fishing. I have found that the carp fraternity are generally the most chatty bunch. I think this is because they spend days alone and friendless and are grateful of the company, whereas I and a lot of other 'pleasure anglers' only have a day at most on the bank and therefore our fishing time is precious and we don't want to chat for too long. Don't get me wrong it is nice to exchange info and pleasantries but remember some of us don't get out very often and are making the most of every moment. I will always talk to people and try not to be rude or ignore anyone, after all we are all enjoying the same sport.

 

[Mike Brown 4]

Well said Andrew some people just need to learn some manners and make the most of the opertunity to exchange information with each other

 

[Ric Elwin]

Why does anyone limit themselves to one species??

It's akin to choosing to have a limb amputated.

 

[BAZ (Angel of the North)]

I'd go with Malcs perceptions on this one.
The Carp lads still do get a lot of bad press from the silver fish angler rather than the other way around. I have always found it to be that way.

I don't really fish for Carp, but I have spent most of this afternoon and evening in various Carp anglers bivvies talking rigs and what and where they have been catching.

Before I left the water, I had to go and check a couple of anglers out on the other side of the lake. Not on your own you're not two of the Carp lads said, we're comeing with you. And I had never met them until today.

I can tell you without any favouratism, that 99.99% of my grief as a bailiff comes from the silver fish angler. In fact I'll even say 100%. I can't remember the last time I had a run in with a Carper.

 

[BAZ (Angel of the North)]

As God is my witness, I keep trying honestly I do, but I can't find any. (o

 

[Spoddy Dave]

Usually anglers wondering around are only checking out your tackle.
To see what gear you have.
Or perhaps what bait your using.
I think carp anglers are the worst for this.

A carp angler myself,this probably sounds strange,but I'm not interested in others tackle,or what bait their using.
I am always willing to chat and help anyone if they need it.

Some people think they know it all,and have secret baits and methods,and don't want to share there knowledge with anyone.

They are the sad and lonely ones.

Whether you fish for carp,are a coarse fisherman or predator fisherman we are all anglers,and are all still learning, so why does there seem to be a division between them.

 

[Malc Bason]

From a personal perspective Ric, I began fishing around 40+ years ago on the River Nene. I had the usual gaps in between and most of us seem to have, but having fished for silvers etc for most of that time, once I'd caught the odd carp here and there it did'nt take me long to target them specifically.

My fishing changed, and it was then I realised it gave me that something 'extra' from the sport. It is something that unless one has experienced it, it is very hard to imagine or describe. And, incidentally, it is not something that can be attained by going to a commercial full of lumps and catching 30's straight away - its something that has to be acquired over time. One ca't go and buy all the gear and claim to be a carp angler - but the trouble is, I think only those who have "been there....etc" will know what I'm on about.

Looking back, I feel that fishing had not given me all that I wanted until that point. So, I suppose thats in reverse to yourself: You believe that fishing for one species is like having a limb amputated, for me its the oposite, fishing's not complete without it! If you see what I mean?

Sorry for waffling, and going off subject.

So, Kevi - I'm sorry you have had bad experiences of what you see as 'Carp Anglers', but in reality, the situation just might not have been quite what it seemed.

 

[Ric Elwin]

Malc

That's an interesting post. I can relate to it in part; I too started to look for more from my fishing.

Over the years I've specialised in Carp (twice), Pike, and Barbel.

I enjoyed myself; but looking back now; it was so limiting. Same gear every week, similar tactics. Each new water was a learning curve for a while; but only a short while. Then it was mainly a case of 'putting the hours in'; not enough for a contemplative angler.

Nowadays I consider the season and the weather. If its mild and the rivers are up; I'll fish for Barbel. During a cold dry snap I'll fish for Grayling. During a hot spell in the summer I'll get the floater rod out and fish for Carp.

 

[Stevie 12345]

I think it works both ways, there is definite ranks in terms of carpers and matchman style carping. With each believing they are more worthy than the other.

Personally I find this fascinating, I am a matchman style angler and I too have often been ignored by carp anglers as they have weighed up my tip rod and noticed that I?m using no twin rods buzzers etc.

This is their loss, as quite definitely I would have something to offer had I been asked, especially to the average carp angler, as there seems to be more than a few of them.

Whenever I do a walk round, especially if it?s a new lake, I make a point of speaking to as many people as possible, pleasure anglers, matchmen, carp anglers because each brings to the table a distinct difference that sometimes a more sensible angler can amalgamate into his or her advantage.

 

[Kevi]

didnt mean everyone to get so deep and meaning full.....lets call next week hug a carper week and the week after hug a matchman week and the week after hug a chub angler etc etc til we have done the whole of angling only joking ....

99% of anglers are great but isnt that true of people in every day life
you always get the odd plonker !!

may your next fish be a biggun (what ever you fish for)

Kevi

 

[john conway]

I suppose it's all down to an individuals personality, and that certain branches of fishing suite certain personalities. If you are competitive then you are more likely to be careful of what information you give away and if you ignore what others are doing then you are a fool. To be right at the top of any sport you have to put in a considerable amount of time and specialise. This single-mindedness tends to wind up those who would like the recognition but are not willing to put in the effort.
Re the original post; in general I've found most anglers friendly when approached politely and I've not found carp anglers any less friendly than others, but having said that my experience with the match fraternity is very limited.

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA)]

When I lived in Warwick, I spent a lot of time at Linear Fisheries near Stanton Harcourt - Oxon.

These lake were well frequented by carp anglers and I must say that other than two rather unfortunate occurances, I never had a problem with these anglers.

In fact the majority of the carp anglers were top guys and many was the time I shared a cuppa in their bivvies.

One carp angler came round one day and watched me float fishing in the margins at Manor Lake. He wanted to know what I was after. "Tench", I told him "come and have a look here - have you got polarised specs"

I showed him a group of tench that were just starting to get their heads down on my groundbait. My float slid away, I struck and several minutes later I was able to put the landing net under a nice 7 1/2 pounder.

He was impressed.

The following weekend he was there - with a brand new Drennan Tench Float Rod - float fishing in the margins.

And he caught an 8 pounder!

 

[Colin North, the one and only]

It could be that some carpers are an elitist bunch of twats. It is probably that some carpers would not have a the first idea what you were doing because they have only ever fished for carp and assume that that is all that swims in the water. A bit of electronic equipment, some shop bought boilies, a couple of DVD's and wham. another instant expert is born.

It is only in the UK that carp are elivated to the level of diety. Eleswhere, they are frequently regarded as vermin.

THIS IS NOT ME HAVING A POP AT CARPERS. HUGE ADVANCES IN METHODS AND EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN SPAWNED BY A FEW REAL EXPERTS.

 

[Malc Bason]

It says in your profile that you are an all-rounder - does that make you all-round elitist twat?