The Dark Side

I couldn't help noticing the article by my friend Peter Cockwill in the latest issue of "Trout Fisherman".

Peter covers a variety of subjects close to my own heart, but the one which interests me mostare his comments on competitive fly fishing.He says that many anglers these days have "lost the plot" when it comes to enjoying fishing! And he states that fishing competitions have had a large hand in this, being the gateway to the "Dark Side".

Personally Ihave never had the desire to get overmuch involved in fly fishing competitions as I have hadample exposure to the competitive side of life in my job. Angling to me is a release from the stresses and strains of life and although I have been roped on a few occasions into competitive angling, competing with the fish isquiteenough.

Peter goes on to say that fish, to the competitive fly fisher, become nothing more than pieces of meat, and the post match whine and stomping off home before the prize giving seem to be regarded as part and parcel of the formalities.

I too have seen the dark side to competitive trout fishing. On two occasions whilst boat fishing on Rutland and Hanningfield, myself and my partner were "crowded out" by a mob of Benson and Hedges competitors who had spottedbloody quick that we had hit a pocket of fish, and within minutes were anchored in our very close vicinity,and red faces, frantic roly-poly retreiving, together with bad language if any of these"anglers" lost a fish, was much in evidence.

And oh yes, the petulance, whinging, and "dummy throwing" could also be seen in the car park at the end of the match, as doors were slammed and engines revved as this lot shot off up the track.

But do you think Peter is right?

From my side, what I have seen of competitive fly fishing you can keep!

Peters right Ron, Iv'e witnesed it myself at Press Manor!!/forum/smilies/nerd_smiley.gif

There is a a whole world of difference between what goes on on the big boat fishing tournaments compared to our little friendly get together every year.

Or is there?

Ron, the scenario you describe pall's into insignificence when compared to the antics that have taken place on pike fishing open day's on some of the trout reservoirs. Many of the accounts beggars belief ''Le Man's'' has nothing on these guy's. Etiquette has no place here, but poaching seems to be the order of the day.

Remember the private video I played for you several weeks ago? I rest my case......... The dark side, why sugar coat it, the abyss seems far more appropiate!!

I've never fished a competitive fly match Ron (apart from our Press Manor ones where it's only Barney that gets worked up and pulls strokes/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif) so I can't really comment.

But any competition where money is involved is going to take the angling aspect to a different level, including coarse fishing matches. It's a case of if you don't enjoy the competitive element then don't fish the matches and if you get 'crowded out' like you were at Rutland, then tell them to **** off!

In all seriousness it's as well to remember that there are selfish and self-centred anglers in all branches, including specialist, and it is never a good idea to tar them all with the same brush.

And Barney goes around nicking my tackle and my flies and ends up winning the competition!

/forum/smilies/dont_tell_anyone_smiley.gif

But seriously I can well believe Derek's comments as I myself have seen that video.

Where money is ultimately involved, whether it be by fame, sponsorships, being offered lucrative contracts with tackle firmsor huge personal egos, nasty things will happen.

I've experienced it first hand.

I was fishing Draycote a couple of years ago and the yearly Pairs Competition was on. I was fishing off the bank and there were a couple of guys around me when I connect with a good fish. Play it for about 5 minutes and bring it in to find one of guys is now on the bank behind me. I wade in to dispatch the fish and he offers me ?5 for it as he's struggling to catch. I didn't say a word, unhooked the fish, let if recover and then swim off. Turned to the guy and said "Sorry, I'm on a C&R ticket", waded back out again and carried on fishing. He stormed off, shouted a few choice words back, and then relayed the story to his mate.

For the rest of the morning, both guys kept giving me "daggers".

In the end, I managed 5 fish, all released, and didn't watch what they were up to. Saying that, whenever I was playing a fish, I had a big grin on my face!!!

Funnily enough Adrian, I once made a mistake and arrived at Draycote whilst a B&H eliminator was in full swing.

I found myself a nice quiet little spot in Biggin Bay and proceeded to complete a limit of 2 pounders. This did not go un-noticed as whilst I was playing my last fish a flotilla of boats arrived, some of which started to cast towards myself on the shore.

I called out to one of thesemiscreants who I recognised as a well known fly fisher:

"You lot call yourself fly fisherman, where's the etiquette?"He shouted back- "F*** O** ****!!!"

Never done very well in Biggin Bay.

Might be going there tomorrow if this rain continues though so fingers crossed.

It was a spot that either produced or you blanked. On the day in question, it was May, there were fish heading and tailing only about 20 yards out, so one went a team of buzzers.

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I wouldn't hang around too long Adrian if you get nothing. One thing I liked about Draycote was the circular road which you can drive around to find yourself a good spot.

Yes, I like that too mainly because it helps you spot where the "circus" is so you can avoid it.

Never done any competition fishing, even at Press Manner. Just happy to fish and never bothered going for numbers. Have been crowded out when fishing Penine in the early years. Never happened when caurse fishing as everyone sticks to pegs.

That's the way I fish these days, although I do like to hook the odd big overwintered fish occasionally.

the real dark side of flyfishing is the whole sale infestation of waters throughout theworld with alien fish. i.e. the rainbow trout, which apeears to be a native of north america which is currently polluting waters throughout the globe to the detriment of the native species.

<blockquote class=quoteheader>Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA) wrote (see)</blockquote><blockquote class=quote>

There is a a whole world of difference between what goes on on the big boat fishing tournaments compared to our little friendly get together every year.

Or is there?</blockquote>

FRIENDLY,
The other year you were cheating at Press Manor, you were giving Marsden hawthorn flies, and standing behind him telling him where to cast.

Anyway with all your misguided help for Marsden.Gary still whooped the pair of you on a knackered piece of black cotton with a hook in it.

Cheating pair of----- s

Just shows you Ronald Cheating doesnt pay.

Hey, I didn't even fish. On those days it's my job to count the fish.

And I will have you know that Barney grabbed a couple of my hawthorn flies.

Changing the subject,I thought that Carrot might bring up that old chestnut again.

<blockquote class=quoteheader>Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA) wrote (see)</blockquote><blockquote class=quote>

Hey, I didn't even fish. On those days it's my job to count the fish.

And I will have you know that Barney grabbed a couple of my hawthorn flies.

Changing the subject,I thought that Carrot might bring up that old chestnut again.</blockquote>


i'm surpirsed you're not railing against their presence in south african waters ron.

after all they don't belong there do they.

And neither do carp which have caused far greater destruction of natural water habitat than rainbow trout, most of which get eaten in a few short years.

Rainbow trout only have a life spam of 3 to 4 years unless messed with by man.

<blockquote class=quoteheader>Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA) wrote (see)</blockquote><blockquote class=quote>

Hey, I didn't even fish. On those days it's my job to count the fish.

And I will have you know that Barney grabbed a couple of my hawthorn flies.</blockquote>


We were stood in the gallery watching the proceedings Mr Clay, some very underhanded things were going on, there was a rumour you eventried to fix the count

Doesnt say much for your tying ability, Mr Knowles fly's fell apart very quickly, which we found strange, you gave him some duff ones didnt you?./forum/smilies/nerd_smiley.gif