When is a Fish-In....

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

Now before I write anything else, I am not having a poke at anyone, nor am I referring to anyone specifically; nor, I might add, am I trying to stir anything up. But I have had a few thoughts on this subject for a while now which has prompted me to begin this thread.

Fish-in's are most certainly 'in vogue' at the moment, and I hope to be able to attend one or two myself. But, when does a fish-in cease to be so, and becomes a social free-for-all?

To me, a fish-in is an opportunity to meet up with fellow 'postees' from Fishing Magic. But over the years I have noticed that members will bring their kids, mates, uncles, husbands, wives, etc, etc..... I think you get the picture. This can be great! Yet, yes I know I can be a miserable git, but I want to meet you guys - not your mates!

Now, whilst I am far from condemning this, I have wondered frequently if by allowing mates to come along on FM fish-ins we are opening the door to possible problems? I know it could expand the FM member base further, but does it?

I have been a member for many years of other forums that are specifically run by and for carp anglers. I have experienced problems at fish-ins where non-members have been allowed to attend and they have caused problems/trouble.

This would probably not happen at a Fishing Magic 'do', however, I do feel it remains a, all be it remote, possibility!

If such an event is organised in the good name of Fishing Magic, and there are an awful lot just lately, and trouble did occur in any shape or form, then would its name remain 'good' for much longer?

BAZ (Angel of the North) · Jan 20, 2007

I'd agree with what you say Malc.
On the surface of things, all would seem to be nice and sociable.
It is difficult to name one such possible situation without causing ill feeling, but this is something just waiting to happen.

And yes, I have heard the jungle drums beating, (via e-mails) from people off this site. Thar's smoke in tham thar hills.

BAZ (Angel of the North) · Jan 20, 2007

There is also something else that I have, and others have noticed by members on this forum.
And that is of the splinter group or cliqu's putting in an appearence.

Clive Evans 1 · Jan 20, 2007

As long as we dont get Channel 4 to organise them, or the great unwashed to vote on it, we'll probably have no trouble.

BAZ (Angel of the North) · Jan 20, 2007

Who needs channel 4 when there are people on here that can do just as good a job?

Albeit unwittingly.

Michael Howson · Jan 20, 2007

Malc and Baz.
I have been on a couple of fm fish-ins on the river idle and while they were not particularly well attended they were smashing outings with everyone catching fish, socialising both on the bank and in the pub afterwards and although i wasnt at the night do i hear it went down a treat and i cannot recall hearing a single word of dissent or criticism from anyone so if you both fancy a friendly fish-in without any problems i suggest you earmark the next one run by my good friend John Ledger which we all hope will be on the agenda soon.

PS. Some of the anglers at the last fish-in travelled hundreds of miles to be there and im sure that when the next one comes up they will all come again to enjoy a trouble free weekend among old and new friends.

captain carrott · Jan 20, 2007

this is an extremely strange thread i must say.

surtely it's the responsibility of the person brinnging the nonmember to ensure that they arent bringing someone who is going to cause trouble.

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

Micheal.

On several occasions I have fished with friends I had originally met through/on FM. In this country and in France carp fishing.

I too have been on a couple of fish-ins organised through FM. These, if I remember correctly, were the 1st and 2nd Keith Culley Memorial Matches held at Clattercote Reservoir.

But even that now, has changed - in my humble opinion. These were organised, dare I say it, with more of an official blessing from Fishing Magic. There were certain rules applied for it to be fished in memory of Keith. When I began to see names appear on the list I had never seen before, I stopped going.

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

Perhaps it is a strange thread Jason - but then I'm a strange person, and you are right of course, it is the responsibility of the member bringing a 'guest'.

But don't you think that it would perhaps be better if fish-ins were limited to regular FM postees?

captain carrott · Jan 20, 2007

Ah so what you're saying is because FM has a massive membership and newer members who are outside your small circle of friends have the temerity to want to attend, then you're complaining and throwing your toys out the pram.

BAZ (Angel of the North) · Jan 20, 2007

Michael.
I too have been to a number of Fish-Ins and enjoyed every minuit of them. The socialising afterwards as well. There have never been any problems (not for want of trying) (o

What me and Malc are saying is that there is that possibility.

When you read some of the posts that get written, although in a jokey kind of way, the wrong messages can be put out. I do feel it could be a powder keg waiting to explode.

You can't always count on the way other people are thinking Jason (a guest).
I do have one particular recent thread in mind, but it would be impossible to name it without upsetting people.

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

Jason, calm down for goodness sake.

I think you are reading me wrong mate.

Lets look at it slightly differently, and of course hyperthetically.

A match is arranged for regular postees, a fun event - mainly being a social affair. A great time is had by all, and who cares who wins the so-called match. Then the next year up pops a competent match angler who has never posted before, but comes along to the 'match' as a guest of a current member and wins the match easily.

How would you feel then? The whole ethos of the day would be lost for me!

captain carrott · Jan 20, 2007

ah i see what you mean now. you're not struck on poachers.

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

Further, as I've already said, I have experienced it elsewhere.

I would not want it to happen with FM.

In the situation I speak of, a club had been formed from a web site forum, and it started to allow members to bring friends, and this escalated, and some of these non-members became troublesome.

The club was disbanded!

There has been trouble recently by an individual new member, attacking one of our more established ones. Everyone rightly fought this persons corner, and from this I believe a thread was formed speaking of the FM family.

So it goes to show that the FM family is a unified one - no matter what angling discipline takes our fancy. We also saw what can happen when a relative outsider appears and causes trouble!

Stuart J · Jan 20, 2007

Can see where you are coming from on this Malc, and yes it could happen.

Perhaps the FM team should only allow selected events using the FM logo, any other events that people arrange should have a separate section on the forum clearly stating that it is not officially backed by FM.

Bully · Jan 20, 2007

I think Malc makes a good point actually. If its under the banner of FM then I do think that the person co-ordinating should be asked if its OK to bring a friend. I think that is fair. Or the person organising should at least state up front what is OK, after all the ultimate responsibility with the fishery owner rests with them.

And of course there is another reason Malc wants this...........so he can get lagging without embarrasing himself among unknowns!!

Malc Bason · Jan 20, 2007

"without embarrasing himself "

..........me, never!

Ian Cloke · Jan 20, 2007

Malc, if it is a match, then it should be open to FM members only. However, if it's a fish-in meeting, then I can't see the problem with "outsiders" attending, as I for one can't drive too far, so I would need someone to help with the driving, would this person not be allowed to attend the fish-in according to what you're saying??

Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA) · Jan 20, 2007

Good point Ian.

I have been to several FM fish-ins and organised a few too and quite honestly they have been great days. No problems at all.

Les Clark · Jan 20, 2007

What is to stop a mate from becoming a member and then turning up to a FM fish in and then not bothering about FM afterwards ?

That mate could turn out to be a pain in the arse and trouble maker on the day but he would be a member ?

joe bloggs could be a new member that nobody knows and turn up to a fish in ,who`s to say how he will behave ?

When is a Fish-In....

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