OK, so please explain to me why anyone would feel more vulnerable in a bivvy than they would in a tent? I've kipped in a lot of different tents in some strange situations over the years. If it weren't for the practicalities of lugging the thing, I'd have felt much less vulnerable in the bivvy I've got. Unlike most tents that are built for portability, bivvies are usually much more substantial. Some are a bit too substantial, which is why a few too many carpers stay put when they really should be moving as conditions dictate.
I have nothing more than an idea which may answer your question, some people like the idea of camping and they get a tent and become campers, straightforward enough. Some anglers fish overnight others who perhaps fish for the same species but have not really considered fishing overnight get caught up in the idea of all the equipment but they are far more interested in the idea of great catches and specimen sized fish rather than the actual idea of camping and spending a night alone in the countryside, then when it starts getting dark and they hear all the night noises beginning they suddenly do not feel quite so confident about being alone in the countryside at night. So they make an excuse to themselves of just remembering something and pack up and head home. I have no doubt that if they had been campers or at least been camping they would feel easier about it.
Various threads have been raised on nigh-time nerves and fears on many forums which gives more than a little support to my idea of their reasons for not staying and perhaps they try a few times and still feel uncomfortable. I neither blame them nor decry them for until you have spent a few nights out alone anyone can get a little nervous is natural. I would not be surprised to discover that more anglers own bivvies and have never used them than some people would first think.
You see it is not the strength or the solidity of the bivvy to the tent but a different mindset in the two types of people who choose each of these two options. One wants to spend a night out under the stars away from civilisation the other just wants to catch great fish.
---------- Post added at 17:44 ---------- Previous post was at 17:30 ----------
I would be very surprised if the number exceeded even ten, no five. Though I confess I've done it once but in my defence the Thames rose by 3ft in 6hrs and fancy being washed away during the night.
I have seen one other angler set up a bivvy, only to pack it up and leave before dusk but his missus went into labour, though damned inconsiderate of her, it wasn't exactly his plan....
I fish about five times a week all over the place so perhaps I have just seen a few more than you over the years, Although my multiple sclerosis prevents my from moving far at a time or roving the bankside. I do manage to get taken to a lot of different venues and have been taken off to a good few lakes where I have seen it happen, as to how many times I cant say I have ever made a note of it.
You have no need to explain nor excuse your actions to me but just suppose some other angler saw the two occasions you mentioned that angler may only have seen a few bivvy up overnight so he or she may like me have thought some of them bring their bivvies and yet still go home. Should it be the case that our imaginary angler does not normally stay until dark he or she might assume that lots of anglers don't stay overnight even when they have all the gear, it would be a logical assumption. Then there are all the other times when someone intends to stay overnight but the fish are not biting so he or she decides to go home, next we have the I'll take my bivvy just in case I decide to stay overnight angler. The reasons and the numbers increase.
---------- Post added at 17:57 ---------- Previous post was at 17:44 ----------
Enjoyed the posts. Not sure about brollies if the mozzies are out, though! Need a door. Also dont want to wake up to a badger snarling at me, at 3am. Started in 1953 and still night fishing? Respect to you, sir!
Many thank for the respect I also still go wild camping. ...hehehe... often without a tent I just cant walk very far without a rest nor carry a lot of weight.
Biggest and to my mind most common noisy creature at night on the ground is the hedgehogs and they seem so keen on maggots and worms. The noise they make unless you know what it is, could get the old imagination going and I have seen a good few go pale at the sounds those little flea covered blighters make. I use jungle formula repellant, though I still get a good few bites maybe I don't put enough on.
