In a way that is my story. Up to the age of about 40 my angling revolved around club matches and visiting venues to practise in advance of matches.
There were points depending on numbers and weight of fish caught.
Success was a total weight even if it consisted of huge numbers of tiny fish.
2lb 1oz of minnows would be better than one 2lb roach. Disillusionment was setting in.
The final straw came when pegged on a canal I could see the sandy bottom all the way across and could see there were no fish. That was after an away and a hotel bill!
I started fishing my club waters in a new light...no maggots, just bread, worm and meat etc. I was astounded at the size of fish I caught when there was a more relaxed attitude and NO time limit.
After bumming round Europe in a caravan for a few years I have settled in a quieter area. I don't know if the fishing has always been this good up here or with age comes patience but the barbel and preditor fishing is the stuff of dreams. So as your heading says...."you go to fishing heaven".
Tight lines to you and enjoy your own fishing heaven. No where is 100% perfect every time out and I suspect you still get blanks from time to time and that makes the good times even better.
Just wish I did it years before