Days stolen for sport

Derek Gibson · Jun 9, 2017

Has anyone ever considered the cost that our favourite sport can incur?

During this period of the year I tend to reflect on my own fishing over the years, and I am constantly amazed at the cost in monetary terms. Travelling from one end of the country to the other results in massive fuel costs, bait, specialised tackle etc. In my own particular case I'm sure this identifies me as a fanatic, but for this I make no apology. Would I do it all again you may ask, in a heartbeat would be my answer.

But in all fairness I should add I was very fortunate in that I ran my own company for a number of years, so I had the benefit of being able to follow my passion. I am mindful that not everyone can, or would choose to do so. Nonetheless the circumstances remain the same to everyone by degree's.

How do you fit in?

binka · Jun 9, 2017

Back in the days when I used to work for a large, London based PLC it was very difficult trying to nick a day on the bank, having said that I still managed it often enough!

The worst thing was pre-mobile phone days when the pager would go off and I would have to up and off in search of a phone box although the locations for these clandestine sessions usually took that into account.

I'm more fortunate these days in that I'm self-employed, there are pros and cons to that but it does give me a lot of freedom compared to before.

I've never travelled great distances for my fishing though, except for one period lasting around six years during the nineties when I would regularly do a long, round trip to fish the north lincs drains for pike.

I like the freedom I now have with my fishing but I have reined in the cost of it all quite considerably.

thecrow · Jun 9, 2017

Formany many years angling always came first, even when I married and had children it was still a massive part of my life, i chased all over the country (and Europe) after large fish, I would dread to think what it cost me in monetary terms but at the time I earned good wages and I didnt really think about the cost which is completely different to now.

My obsession with angling cost me my first marriage but honestly that was not a cost I minded paying in fact I was glad to pay it and for years after that my obsession was fulfilled and I have to say that my 2nd wife of almost 40 years has been so supportive of my angling or maybe she just wanted to see the back of me

no-one in particular · Jun 9, 2017

Always fitted some in after work or weekends, these days semi self employed so can go when I want. Never spent much money on my general fishing, free waters, bread sweetcorn, fish local, second hand but good gear was always cheap to come by. Doubt I spent more than £50 some years. Trips and treats cost more of course.
In fact I used to turn my sea/beach fishing into a profit. do a bit of metal detecting on the beach, weights, tackle, money, gold. Must have made £1000 one year. Nice that walking off a beach with my dinner and a bagful of swag, lots of stuff gets washed up after storms.
Just add I always have to be in the right mood for fishing, if I don't feel like it I don't go.

robcourt82 · Jun 9, 2017

If I got paid by the hour for all my time spent fishing, thinking about fishing or preparing to go fishing I would be worth a fortune! I have been fanatical about it for pretty much 30 years (I'm 35).
People always said to me as a kid "there's more to life than fishing" but looking back most of my very best friends came from fishing, I found a job I enjoy through one of those friends and whenever life gets me down it is fishing that gets me back on track. I can quite confidently say that I wouldn't be who I am without it.
I am more than happy to spend my last pennies to go fishing, I don't drink much or smoke. I don't have an extensive wardrobe or expensive tastes I just want to go to bed with a smile on my face and that smile is biggest when I've been fishing. I'm very much one of those work to live people than live to work. So long as the bills are paid and my little girl is happy I can fish to my hearts content!
I would love to know just how much my obsession has cost me but it wouldn't ever make me think I'd overdone it!

no-one in particular · Jun 9, 2017

robcourt82 said:
If I got paid by the hour for all my time spent fishing, thinking about fishing or preparing to go fishing I would be worth a fortune! I have been fanatical about it for pretty much 30 years (I'm 35).
People always said to me as a kid "there's more to life than fishing" but looking back most of my very best friends came from fishing, I found a job I enjoy through one of those friends and whenever life gets me down it is fishing that gets me back on track. I can quite confidently say that I wouldn't be who I am without it.
I am more than happy to spend my last pennies to go fishing, I don't drink much or smoke. I don't have an extensive wardrobe or expensive tastes I just want to go to bed with a smile on my face and that smile is biggest when I've been fishing. I'm very much one of those work to live people than live to work. So long as the bills are paid and my little girl is happy I can fish to my hearts content!
I would love to know just how much my obsession has cost me but it wouldn't ever make me think I'd overdone it!

You only get one life Rob so you do it how you want, if its what makes you happy then go for it.

robcourt82 · Jun 9, 2017

100% agree. I don't suggest anyone lives the same as me but if we all did what we wanted to a bit more then we'd probably all be a bit happier.

rayner · Jun 9, 2017

With regard to stolen days I used to fish weekends, if I fancied a midweek match I would work one day of the weekend to cover it.
So no days were stolen by me.
If I were fit enough now I would fish every day without doubt.

Peter Jacobs · Jun 9, 2017

Like Derek having worked for myself if I wanted a day off to fish then I took it . . . . .

The one day I remember however was when still at school I bunked off and went to The Oval to see a day f the Test Match.

I got to the ground just after the start and took a seat around 3rd man boundary and sat there enjoying the cricket until lunch, when the man I front of me got up and turned around . . . . it was my Latin teacher from school Mr D.G. J. Jones (known to us as "faggy Jones as he was always puffing on a ciggie)

He looked at me and asked if I was "sick today" and I said, "yes Sir, pretty sick"

He smiled and said . . . . "Jolly good, so am I" . . . . .

I never ever took a day off school again, well, unofficially that is . . . .

108831 · Jun 9, 2017

Derek Gibson said:
Has anyone ever considered the cost that our favourite sport can incur?

During this period of the year I tend to reflect on my own fishing over the years, and I am constantly amazed at the cost in monetary terms. Travelling from one end of the country to the other results in massive fuel costs, bait, specialised tackle etc. In my own particular case I'm sure this identifies me as a fanatic, but for this I make no apology. Would I do it all again you may ask, in a heartbeat would be my answer.

But in all fairness I should add I was very fortunate in that I ran my own company for a number of years, so I had the benefit of being able to follow my passion. I am mindful that not everyone can, or would choose to do so. Nonetheless the circumstances remain the same to everyone by degree's.

How do you fit in?

I regret nothing and would do it again and more,we're only here once so bollards...:wh

john step · Jun 9, 2017

I was supposed to sign some important papers. I forgot and bunked off for a couple of hours down the lake.
A colleague who knew where I was jumped in the van and brought the papers for me to sign.
Nice bloke.

mikench · Jun 9, 2017

With the valued assistance of Rob and Tigger I am making up for lost time

If I had rediscovered fishing much earlier my work life would have suffered but I have no regrets. I love buying Tackle and bait and generally messing about ! I feel like a kid again!

Tee-Cee · Jun 10, 2017

My days of tearing around the country, buying yards of tackle,bait etc. and the cost of doing so are long behind me, but I still spend what I need to on my passion. Like others, I am fortunate to have the funds to do so and a wife who supports me 100%.

I imagine many look back and wish they had done things in a different way, but that doesn't apply to me be it around fishing or life in general. Up's and down's in spades, but no regrets.

All part of life's rich tapestry..............

Oh yes, days stolen; I think my apprenticeship afforded me plenty of those, as did missed days at college. I recall being suspended for a week when serving my apprenticeship at John Laings the construction company for a misdemeanour and my mum proving me with funds for bus fare and bait to go fishing.....

robtherake · Jun 10, 2017

Got to admit I spent many a sick day on the bank while the fishing was good. That doesn't mean there wasn't guilt involved, especially since the line managers I served under were, on the whole, decent blokes, but it had generally dissipated by the time the float started going under. I suspect the last one knew what the score was, but I made sure that things were tickety-boo and on time so he cut me a fair bit of slack. Thanks, Dave; I owe my best ever catch to you, bud.:thumbs:

108831 · Jun 11, 2017

I thank my lucky stars i've worked all my life,paid my mortgage off,had holidays twice a year for most of my working life,raised two boys(hopefully well),one of whom is autistic,but for all of that,i've worked to live,not the other way round and although i've had good laughs at times whilst at work,one thing is for sure,the old adage 'a bad day's fishing is better than a good day at work',rings true with me,100%...:w

flightliner · Jun 11, 2017

Not guilty I'm afraid (arumphhhh) , teachers holidays sort of cancelled out any such thoughts !

steve2 · Jun 11, 2017

I have worked with people who literally drove their selves into the ground with work. Although I worked hard for over 50 years I always l made time for other things. I did take the odd day off to go fishing same as when I was at school.

From what I know of teachers and teaching today(my son as recently resigned) you deserve all the holidays you get. You have earned them.

mikench · Jun 11, 2017

There are few if any headstones marked" wish I had spent more time in the office":wh

bracket · Jun 11, 2017

mikench said:
There are few if any headstones marked" wish I had spent more time in the office":wh

Too true. I remember when I was an apprentice one of the gaffer's saying he never had time to go fishing. I said "When six of your best mates are carrying you up that long road to Boot Hill you'll wish you'd found time for all those things you never had time for. With that I clocked off and went fishing. Pete

Days stolen for sport

Derek Gibson

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binka

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thecrow

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no-one in particular

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robcourt82

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no-one in particular

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robcourt82

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rayner

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Peter Jacobs

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108831

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john step

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mikench

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Tee-Cee

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robtherake

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108831

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flightliner

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steve2

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mikench

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bracket

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