Losing the Plot

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john conway

Guest
Gary I'm sure we all at times loose the plot form time to time. I have to ask myself if I’d fish lots of long sessions on a very unattractive water just because it contained very large fish, the answer is I wouldn’t? For me it’s not just the size of the fish but the attraction of venue and because I’m probably a bit of a loner, who I fish with is also important.
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
In one of the best articles I have read for some time, Barney's writing epitomises my own angling philosopy completely.

I often feel so sorry for the those who fish blindly for single species, for those who bite their nails to the quick to achieve some sort of fame, putting jobs and family at risk, for the brain-dead "Time Bandits" and the muddy puddle splodgers who's numbers grow by the day.

Gary you are showing many the true way to complete enjoyment in our sport.

This article also, should be read in conjunction with Richard Walker's 1975 preface to Still Water Angling.

You have written a true classic here Gary that needs shouting from the roof tops.
 
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Gerry Castles

Guest
Sorry mate but all of these people are precisely what makes the world of fishing go round and you're either one or the other. My particular passions are pike, sea bass and sailfish, why not? I like fishing for the species that I know something about, have a sneaky admiration for and above all enjoy catching. I'm not opposed to other people enjoy the pleasures of match fishing, carp, barbel or whatever takes their fancy, it's just not for me I'd rather do one thing well, that's instinctively what I enjoy when I go fishing. I also enjoy being on my boat on the river when the rest of the world is still asleep, but that doesn't mean I'm content to catch nothing. We're all looking for bigger and better it's just a matter of degrees. I don't have the mentality (thank God) of Neville Fickling for example, otherwise between taking train numbers I'd be consumed with pike. But I do enjoy the quest for bigger and better, that's what gives me an edge. Not over other anglers, just the edge to keep thinking, keep trying, keep experimenting. Thats what makes some people write books, write articles make videos and others just listen and learn. It's that kind of intensity that some of my fellow anglers demonstrate, that keeps pushing on the fishing boundaries.
 
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Phil Heaton

Guest
My fishing mate and I regular fish the Don, recentley due to the wet weather making parts of it unfishable we have had to 'make do'. Fortunatley by 'making do' we have had some very productive and enjoyable sessions yielding lots of perch (up to just under 2lb), chublets, skimmers, roach, small jacks and the odd flattie.
This has been acheived by fishing with 2.5 and 4lb Maxima, a lightweight avon rod and smaller hooks than normal (16's and 14's), using worm and red maggots as bait.
I must admit that I would like to catch more chub and barbel, but even when they are on form only a few can be caught before moving on, due to the low stocking levels. Constantly catching smaller fish is therefore a more pleasurable and enjoyable experience. Maybe as the river gets back to normal we will try again for the 'better' fish, or maybe we will carry on bagging up with a grin from ear to ear.
 
GrahamM

GrahamM

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I agree with what you say almost entirely Gerry, but I think Gary's main point is that there are some anglers who put achieving a PB above everything else, including friends and family, and become so obsessed with their target(s) they lose sight of the really valuable things in life.

I like to achieve certain things in fishing that I set myself, but draw the line at achieving them at any cost. For instance, these days I would much rather share a swim with a friend, even if it meant I had to share the proceeds from that one swim. I would much rather lose a fish than a friend.

A friend is hard to come by, whereas fish are like buses - another one will come along sooner or later.

Nothing wrong with targets, nothing wrong with always trying to better a PB. But not obsessively; not at any cost.

And nothing wrong with being a time bandit, providing you're not trying to kid the world, and yourself, how good you are.
 
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Gary Knowles

Guest
John - I've walked away from a lot of big fish myself, purely because I didn't like the ambience of a water.

Ron - Cheers, high praise indeed !

Gerry - Why sorry ?, it seems to me by the end of your reply your agreeing with me mate !...you echo my sentiments exactly..

Phil - I wouldn't be happy catching small fish all the time either, but it does make a lovely distraction occasionally. But what your catching does sound like a cracking mixed bag.
 
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Stuart Bullard

Guest
In many ways you cannot argue with Gary because it is his personal preference. While it also shares some of my own views, I would never try and impose these on someone by saying because I see it one way, then so should everyone else. If an angler wants to set his stall out to catch big fish only, then good luck to him / her, just so long as they respect the laws and other anglers.

One person likes good expensive wine occasionally, another likes a ?5 bottle every night. Who is to say who is correct? I played football and cricket at a pretty reasonable level. Whilst I enjoyed the games, I played only to win and hated losing. Some friends of mine couldn’t give a damn, they just played. Again, there is no right answer.

As for putting angling above family and the impact this has, well there are many, many more examples of this in other walks of life, from drugs through to obsessive football fans. That is all about prioritisation and often requires someone from outside to break the circle.

There are many interesting points raised in the article, a lot of good common sense (which is an often missed commodity), and is in keeping with Gary’s obvious progress in writing good articles. If I was to be critical then it was just a little over prescriptive for my liking.

“ONE MANS MEAT IS ANOTHER MANS POISON”
 
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Gary Knowles

Guest
Stuart,

I do say in the article, if you are happy with what you do then by all means continue. So it isn't meant as an insult to those who are totally obsessed, or don't see fishing as as much fun as I do. Its entirely up to the individual, it's just that I can vouch FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE that since I chilled out I enjoy my fishing much more - and lets face it, you've seen just how chilled out I can get !!!! and to be honest I don't seem to be catching much less.

I do genuinely feel sorry for the poor buggers that still feel they have to prove something though...I really do !

Thanks for the constructive comments anyway mate - it's always appreciated.

Cheers

Gary
 
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Stuart Bullard

Guest
Gary it certainly didn't come over as insulting. And I was just trying to convey how some may read it, so thanks for taking my comments in the way you have.

It did make me laugh though, all the pictures of you holding monsters that I would dream of catching!! Actually that 3oz rudd would do me at the moment !!
 
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Stuart Johnson

Guest
Gary, a real gem mate.

Fishing is for fun and enjoyment. If I did not enjoy fishing I would not go. There has been a few times whilst out fishing that I was not enjoying myself so I packed up went for a beer or went home. There is nothing wrong in trying for a PB everyone has a goal but it should not be all. Lifes to short enjoy it while you can.
 
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Warren 'Hatrick' (Wol) Gaunt

Guest
Chasing a Bream record, WHO me, never LOL!!!!

:eek:)
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
There are those to whom a PB means everything. Fair enough.

There are those who specialise in one species. Fair enough.

Let's take a scenario and I will try to explain why the concept of PBs in term of pure weight is flawed.

You are a roach specialist and you live close by this river that is producing some of the biggest roach in the country. In two years you catch over 100 2pounders including 20 over 3, best 3lbs 12oz.

The you have to move and live 200 miles away, or the roach, being all of one brood, die out.

What do you do now, give up angling? What would you do?
 
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Mike Parker

Guest
I have said for many a year, but not quite as long as McWallet and definitely as long as Ron, that fishing is more than just catching fish.
Yes I think I get a slightly bigger thrill when I catch a big fish but the pleasure is 'fooling' a fish to take MY bait. Sometimes I go out targeting a specific species and the pleasure there comes from getting my target species
Then, sometimes, I go out fishing without bait - so I can sit down on the riverbank and enjoy what 'God' has provided for me.

Once upon a time it bothered me if someone elses was bigger than mine or had more than me, now I know its not the size of the worm it's how you wiggle it!

So what if someone has lost the plot as I see it. They probably think that I'm stupid going fishing without bait. The only criteria I have for fishing is that we enjoy what we do, if it ain't fun why are we doing it?

Everyone to there own I say
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
I mostly agree with you Mike, but going fishing without bait?

Like going to the pub without any money :eek:(
 
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Gary Knowles

Guest
I've heard that's exactly what you do Ron !

Gerry - Me ?, the 13th Duke of Warrington....Alone...on the banks of the River Ribble......at 2.00am in the morning.....with my reputation ????

Keep laughing mate !
 
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Ron Clay

Guest
No way!!

Mind you I'll bet that when Graham goes to the pub it's one of the few times he can stand up straight, being without that monstrous wallet....:eek:D
 
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