Changing attitudes to angling and the convenience of doing nothing...

[laguna]

How things have changed from when I was a kid first starting out!
I don't know about you, but I still get a lot of enjoyment out of preparation, whether its sorting through my gear, tying up rigs or preparing some bait etc. These days it seems like all the younger ones want to buy convenience and success instead of working for it.

Ready tied rigs, boilies instead of base mixes, tins of hemp, car park peg in lieu of water craft, Cafe instead of flask and sandwich, an easy puddle instead of a river... vapes instead of a roll up! :wh

What happened?

 

[fishing4luckies]

Human nature.

 

[thames mudlarker]

Yep yer definitely not wrong there Chris,

I'm only middle aged but am very much still old school in much of what I do, I prefer this as to me there's not half the complications

I'm as you've probably no doubt already gathered that I'm an out and out river fanatic that simply enjoys me trotting,

Every thing I know has virtually been self taught over the last 36 years or so and can assure anyone that there's times where I've really screwed up when learning the art of new tackle items and techniques etc, We've all been there and done it at times ......lols

The trouble with today's fishing scene is that there are unfortunately loads of young kids that take up the sport but before they've ever learnt how to rig up a float rod and learn the finesse of light line fishing for small species of fish like roach and dace etc they all seem to think it's the norm of instant wannabe big massive carp anglers that will have all of the gear but clearly no idea

To me I just look and think that this is so very very sad indeed, a lot have completed missed out on what it's like to stand at the waters edge on a loverly flowing river and watching that float work its way down the river in search of fish

I just really wish that in today's society of fishing that some of us perhaps more experienced and elder anglers really show some of the juniors and aswell as adult novice anglers the very much wide variety of coarse fishing that there actually is as opposed to being in a bivvey eaither asleep during the day or watching the tv.

The very biggest aspect of all as regards to all coarse angling is simply learning the art of watercraft and location, learn this and you'll be 3/4's of the way there :thumbs:

 

[mikench]

I cannot really comment as i am new to fishing! The days on the local cut as an 11 year old with a cane rod, Intrepid reel, 2lb line, a few hooks float and maggots all stored in a whicker basket did not help me adjust when i took up the hobby again at 61.

I have enjoyed the learning curve and trying different things and am frustrated that I have not used my pin for a variety of reasons. I have plans to do so however when the weather improves and the close season ends. I hate to blank but just sat on the bank trying different tactics, rigs and bait I find thereapeutic and relaxing; some days it works and some days it doesn't but that is fishing and life

 

[cassey]

What happened?

Commercialism / Progress ??

From my recollections it started in the early 80’s. I was heavy into carp fishing as it exploded commercially. Bivy instead of brolly, tv instead of chatting, pub instead of fry ups, whacky instead roll ups. Buy the gear from up an ‘coming carp retailers’, new carpers wanted instant success, with the trend seeming to infiltrate all aspects of angling. Years ago I realized a lot of it was phony and I couldn’t buy enjoyment. I turned to doing my own thing, I don’t need the ‘latest’, I just need better water craft and peace & quiet. Probably a grumpy old age thing!

 

[no-one in particular]

How things have changed from when I was a kid first starting out!
I don't know about you, but I still get a lot of enjoyment out of preparation, whether its sorting through my gear, tying up rigs or preparing some bait etc. These days it seems like all the younger ones want to buy convenience and success instead of working for it.

Ready tied rigs, boilies instead of base mixes, tins of hemp, car park peg in lieu of water craft, Cafe instead of flask and sandwich, an easy puddle instead of a river... vapes instead of a roll up! :wh

What happened?

Innit the same for everything Laguana, ready made meals, food all ready washed and peeled for you, driver-less cars, exercise machines in your home (what happened to a good walk), rubber dolls(what happened to going out and pulling a live one for yourself), computers that can do every spelling/calculation for you, I think the art of thinking for ourselves is disappearing and we are fast becoming walking lobotomies. I am sure my own forehead has shrunk over the years. (no need to comment on that, thank you very much)

 

[terry m]

Whilst the OP makes many factually correct points, we have to accept that things change. It does not necessarily mean it is worse or indeed better it is simply different.

Progress is often judged differently based on what point in the timeline you favour, and is usually biased towards your personal values.

The thought of preparing hemp, or making boilies makes me shudder. Why would I want to do that?

Whereas the thought of fishing a mud puddle or buying ready tied rigs would make me shudder also.

Horses for courses. Live and let live!

 

[greenie62]

.... These days it seems like all the younger ones want to buy convenience and success instead of working for it. .....

Don't knock it, Chris! A bright young thing could make a living out of pre-prepared baits, flavourings, and bits and bobs of useful tackle items!

 

[Lord Paul of Sheffield]

It's all part of the "now" life style

What to watch a film , no need to go to cinema just upload to your mobile
No need to watch a series one a week, watch a box set
No need to wait to meet friends to say what a great holiday you had , just Facebook them

 

[chub_on_the_block]

I think even the match fishing has gone silly. There was a match in a puddle near here in January that was won with 186Ibs of F1 carp or something like that. I remember club matches (which probably had more contestants), or open matches (where numbers could be much higher) where a winning weight at this time of the year rarely got above 5-10Ibs but to struggle your way to that small bag of roach, dace and minor species was no less skilful or rewarding. Why this macho thing that you need to bag over 100Ibs of fish all the time? Same with carp fishing - its only size that matters.

What happened to relishing the beauty of a 12oz rudd or a 3Ib tench?. I fish for living jewels not for fat old monsters.

 

[thames mudlarker]

I cannot really comment as i am new to fishing! The days on the local cut as an 11 year old with a cane rod, Intrepid reel, 2lb line, a few hooks float and maggots all stored in a whicker basket did not help me adjust when i took up the hobby again at 61.

I have enjoyed the learning curve and trying different things and am frustrated that I have not used my pin for a variety of reasons. I have plans to do so however when the weather improves and the close season ends. I hate to blank but just sat on the bank trying different tactics, rigs and bait I find thereapeutic and relaxing; some days it works and some days it doesn't but that is fishing and life

Absolutely Mike, I really couldn't agree more, end of the day that's what it's really all about,

Enjoy yer fishing Mike now we're slowly getting a bit of better weather :thumbs:

Be lucky

 

[mikench]

I think even the match fishing has gone silly. There was a match in a puddle near here in January that was won with 186Ibs of F1 carp or something like that. I remember club matches (which probably had more contestants), or open matches (where numbers could be much higher) where a winning weight at this time of the year rarely got above 5-10Ibs but to struggle your way to that small bag of roach, dace and minor species was no less skilful or rewarding. Why this macho thing that you need to bag over 100Ibs of fish all the time? Same with carp fishing - its only size that matters.

What happened to relishing the beauty of a 12oz rudd or a 3Ib tench?. I fish for living jewels not for fat old monsters.

I wouldn't go that far and the wife is on a diet now

 

[steve2]

Trouble now is that people want instant success in what ever they do. Every new member that joins one of my clubs is not really interested in the club. All they want to know is which water holds the biggest fish meaning, carp, and how can I catch it.
The answer I always give is, find that out for your self the same as we had to.

It is the same in other fields. My son is a first class musician and music teacher but people come to him to learn how to play but give up when they find they have to practice.
I have been in restaurants were people complain when their meal takes time to prepare. They want it now just like in fast food chains.
Every thing now as to be instantly available

 

[chub_on_the_block]

Another example of change with younger or current generations that just occurred to me is digital music. How often is a song listened to all the way through?, never mind a whole album side. Its dip into this dip into that. Its all soundbites - "growers" definitely being a thing of the past.

 

[rayner]

There's no way I would knock anyone for doing what they do or how they do it.
If sitting waiting for one particular fish is your bag then fair do's. If you prefer carp that's OK too.
Personally I'm through choice stuck in my ways with how I fish, I've fished for carp and so long as match sized fish are what you're after there's plenty of easy waters to fish. Not my favourite by any means. I mostly fish the same way now as I've always don't since the 60s.
I've gone back to bread punch in winter and caster in warmer months.
The numbers of roach in commercials is epic, another plus is they are generally left in peace in favour of other bigger fish.

I used to love fishing the Trent with my sticks but those days are long behind me.
As for convenience I will buy ready cooked hemp but insist on preparing my own tares. I do buy the odd bag of micros for skimmers, I had a couple of seasons where dead maggot was a favourite bait but they attract far too many carp on commercials.

I've had my share of big weights as we all have but I'm much happier catching roach and Crucians with a few skimmers.

 

[laguna]

I cannot really comment as i am new to fishing! The days on the local cut as an 11 year old with a cane rod, Intrepid reel, 2lb line, a few hooks float and maggots all stored in a whicker basket did not help me adjust when i took up the hobby again at 61.

I have enjoyed the learning curve and trying different things and am frustrated that I have not used my pin for a variety of reasons. I have plans to do so however when the weather improves and the close season ends. I hate to blank but just sat on the bank trying different tactics, rigs and bait I find thereapeutic and relaxing; some days it works and some days it doesn't but that is fishing and life

At 61 I imagine you would struggle with all the new ideas and the way angling has progressed since you were a boy Mike? more so I think than my mate, who I introduced to the sport at 57 (I think) now 62 (I think) having never fished - he took to it like a duck to water.
And blanking... its good to blank every now and again as it focusses the mind! There's nothing so inspirational than a kick up ones own arse
Some of my best ideas have come to me while sat waiting for a bite... needless to say; I've got lots of ideas mg:

Innit the same for everything Laguana, ready made meals, food all ready washed and peeled for you, driver-less cars, exercise machines in your home (what happened to a good walk), rubber dolls(what happened to going out and pulling a live one for yourself), computers that can do every spelling/calculation for you, I think the art of thinking for ourselves is disappearing and we are fast becoming walking lobotomies. I am sure my own forehead has shrunk over the years. (no need to comment on that, thank you very much)

"pulling a live one for yourself" Apparently its no coincidence they don't make talking ones

Don't knock it, Chris! A bright young thing could make a living out of pre-prepared baits, flavourings, and bits and bobs of useful tackle items!

Well yeah mate, except I'm not so bright or young
Actually your right to some extent Greenie, and I do recognise the fact that some anglers are looking for convenience a lot of the time (call it a busy life style) and will often shoot off fishing at a moments notice. But from experience of retail there's also those who plan to go fishing days in advance, where In our shop we used to offer all sorts of things like amino acid powders, spices, particles and a huge variety of different ingredients to make your own, yet they prefer to scratch their head and pick up something to go like a bag of pellets! mg:

 

[no-one in particular]

"pulling a live one for yourself" Apparently its no coincidence they don't make talking ones
:

Stop it, I wish I had married one now

 

[Philip]

I know where your coming from Chris but I don’t think convenience is a bad thing, at least there is a choice now whereas in the past it was the hard way or no way. I also think its easy for more experienced anglers who have been there and done that to look down a little on the angling scene today and pick holes in it, maybe with good reason in some cases but there is also an aspect of rose tinted spectacles to it as well. There are many aspects of angling today that are far better …fish welfare being the obvious one, mats and so on. Plus amazing at it may seem to the older generation but some anglers actually enjoy sitting in a bivvy behind static rods using readymade rigs and bait. Lets face it, I see allot of bivvys and buzzers about so it has to have something going for it !

Having said that, I think for people to stay as long term anglers there is more chance they will do it if they go through some of the more basic aspects first rather than buy a rig and fish an over stocked pay puddle. I think roving is a great way to learn angling. One rod, minimum of kit go “hunting” rather than sitting behind 3 rods on buzzers “trapping”. If you can master roving and enjoy it then your probably going to enjoy angling in general. If you don’t then your going to get bored very quickly and it may not be for you.

The other thing which was the subject of another recent thread was about new people coming into the sport. I actually think targeting youngsters is not the best way forward. I think Angling should target the 40+ generation who are starting to get a bit old for physical sports and are looking for something else to fill their time. They also have a bit of spare cash in their pockets to spend on the sport as well. Plus if they look after themselves then even if they start at 40 you have a potential new angler for the next 30+ years.

 

[maggot_dangler]

Another example of change with younger or current generations that just occurred to me is digital music. How often is a song listened to all the way through?, never mind a whole album side. Its dip into this dip into that. Its all soundbites - "growers" definitely being a thing of the past.

That is why all my music in the car is on USB stick with complete albums that play all the wat thru like they were meant to be .

One thing really winds me up is say an album like dark side of the moon that plays out of order no on .

PG ...

 

[bracket]

It seems to me that very few youngsters today are prepared to get involved in activities that require effort and application, let alone preparation and preplanning. What they will accept is anything presented on a plate. This is not entirely their own fault, but the result of "progress". When I left school in 1956 at 15. I was abruptly introduced to the principle (as were countless others) of "working for a living" in engineering. I was pitched in with highly skilled, no nonsense, don't take no sh*t , unsympathetic tradesman. The learning curve was short and steep, it was called "growing up" and if you didn't, then you suffered. Nowadays kids don't leave school until 16, followed by two years at collage, then on to university, for 4 maybe 5 years . So on leaving Uni, they emerge into the reality of the Real World, as 23 year old children, with no experience of proper life. This exposure terrifies them so much they have to take a Gap Year to get over the trauma. I thank the Gods I was born in the Era I was, where you had to learn to look after and fend yourself, and not in the cotton wool, cosseted age of today. Pete.