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]

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]

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]

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!

 

[longshaw]

"Well I’ve come up with my own list of bullet points and I’ll run through them in no particular order:

• Written a book or contributed to one.
• Known for outstanding success on a particular river.
• An association with a major organisation or club.
• A known specimen hunter.
• A known all-rounder.
• Associated with a particular method that has become synonymous with the individual.
• A name linked with causes, issues or projects.
• Caught a record fish, river record or won awards eg. Drennan Cup.
• Appeared in dvd’s, video’s etc.
• Appeared on TV.
• Written for Angling Times, Angler’s Mail etc.
• Written for the monthly magazines.
• Is a regular on the web.
• Is a speaker on the circuit.
• Owns a tackle business.
• Has rods or reels named after them.
• Is sponsored by a major tackle/bait company.
• Has been on the scene for twenty years or so.
• Has their own website.
• Writes a regular blog.
• Achieved something notable in the fishing world.
• Owns or runs a fishery.
• Runs a guiding service."

So Fred are you really saying that you would agree with Steve that to be regarded as a respected member of the barbelling community now one should have the above experiences on ones CV with commercial success as a prerequisite?
And we wonder why we get youngsters coming on various sites including here asking where they can get information on getting a sponsor deal and posting up blogs shouting how many doubles they have caught this month with a detailed breakdown of which manufacturers tackle and bait they were using.

Just asking the question as it was posted as a discussion topic so not sure why people have already resorted to insults?

 

[Fred Bonney]

I will only say one thing, especially as you appear not to have the courage of your convictions and use or even sign off with your own name, whilst attacking an organisation,it's members and officials.

The list could apply to any persons views on what a celebrity may be and not all of them relate to commercial success!

 

[magna barbus]

I think guys, so called celebrity Anglers have been with us for years and this was initially created by the success of an individual, in my era, these were the likes of **** Walker, Tag Barnes, Bill Keal, Peter Wheat, Pete Stone, Jack Hilton, I could go on, we as anglers make these guys famous because in essence we want to know the secret of their success, so we read their articles we use their tips and read their books, nothing wrong in that, its the same in any sport, but whereas other sports relish the difficulty, the challenge and achievement of their chosen game we as anglers relish the short cut to success philosophy, make pools smaller, put more fish in, the deception of fish and nature to achieve comparable success to our chosen ' celebrity'. What is a new phenomenon of the last 25 years is the creation of the professional Angler, these are people that have been seduced by tackle, bait and publication companies to be rewarded for fishing full time, the people I spoke of earlier actually held down a normal job and family life and experienced failure as the rest of do, the current glut of full time fishermen is nauseating and bare no resemblance to ordinary anglers, with their unlimited time and financial support either in product or cash and their net work of sycophants who do all sorts of swim preparation for them, they are a pox on our beloved pastime, I blame the weekly comics for their creation, they cause more a sense of failure than inspiration, an individual who has unlimited time cannot be compared to your average Joe who can only fish on a Saturday or a couple of hours in the week. Yes you get real celebrities in real sport, Hamilton, Button, the Klitchco brothers, Ali, Shearer, Federer, Nedal et al......fishing aint a sport its a pastime, a bit like model making, Cycling or hill walking, and long may it be so, for me anyway. I say all this as one of the people on Steve's list, Steve means well and is dedicated and has done much, but I am not a celebrity, maybe I am just a little more vocal and forthcoming than the much better lesser known Barbel anglers I have been fortunate to meet during my life.

 

[richiekelly]

I will only say one thing, especially as you appear not to have the courage of your convictions and use or even sign off with your own name, whilst attacking an organisation,it's members and officials.

The list could apply to any persons views on what a celebrity may be and not all of them relate to commercial success!

Over 50% of the list is to do with comercial things, why is it that anyone with a view that conflicts with members of the BS are insulted on here ( not this post) it seems to me you can have a view as long as its the same as the BS, shame.

 

[Fred Bonney]

I'm not certain that applies blanker, but you can show me where it did.

Perhaps it's more to do with the way the anonymous with a grudge put over their view.

Steve's diary piece had nothing to do with the Barbel Society and only part of the piece was a personal view of what he thinks is meant by celebrity.

 

[richiekelly]

I'm not certain that applies blanker, but you can show me where it did.

Perhaps it's more to do with the way the anonymous with a grudge put over their view.

Steve's diary piece had nothing to do with the Barbel Society and only part of the piece was a personal view of what he thinks is meant by celebrity.

Post 5 quoting post 3 is the start of it, also from a BS member.

 

[Fred Bonney]

That seems to me that you think that an unfounded attack on that members organisation shouldn't be responded to. Is that your view ?

 

[longshaw]

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

Fred,
I was under the impression that that's exactly what we were doing,having a discussion,is that not the case?
I think you'll find the vast majority of FM forum members use pseudonyms strange then that you only feel it necessary to personally attack those who have an opinion that disagrees with yours.
So just in case you might like to give a reasoned response do you agree with the commercialisation of angling and the effect that has on younger anglers who think it is the norm to seek commercial sponsorship and therefore commercial gain rather than just enjoy it as a hobby?

 

[Fred Bonney]

You didn't open a discussion ,you took the opportunity to have a knock.

I have no objection to individuals using made up names, but when they attack others, or me, when hiding behind a pseudonym,it shows only one thing to me, they have a fear of being found out.
They are to a man the one who stands at the back of a crowd and shouts abuse whilst hiding in the throng. Spineless!

I have not personally attacked you as you state above, another trait of those that post anonymously, it's no more than an attempt to draw attention away from your initial unjustified attack.

As to whether I agree or not, is not relevant. I'm sorry to say that it is now a fact of life in all respects, that good numbers of individuals, not only youngsters, want something for nothing, and that includes celebrity status!

Most end up disappointed, and there is nothing you, whoever you are, or I can do to change it!

 

[richiekelly]

That seems to me that you think that an unfounded attack on that members organisation shouldn't be responded to. Is that your view ?

I saw no attack just a comment, you really are very sensative and it seems to me anyone can have an opinion as long as its the same as yours, remember an opinion is only that no opinion is fact until proven,