Articles
1. A SPORT FOR A LIFETIME
There are few sports you can take up as a young person and still be active into old age. Fishing has all the elements needed to sustain an interest at whatever age. It is always challenging and exciting. Non more so than that day when you catch your first fish. It is marked in your memory. Nothing can remove it – bigger, different specimens, not even the passage of time will eradicate that moment. You may match it, but it will not be surpassed. Many years on it will be replayed in an instant. Subsequently each new achievement will be added to a catalogue of angling highlights to be shared with anyone who will listen. But that first fish has a special place.
In addition, fishing takes you to places, both interesting and beautiful, that you might not otherwise visit. There you see wildlife at first hand rather than second hand on T.V. Whether in the light of a sinking of Summer sun, or in tingling air of a Winter's dawn, a lake or river is a special place. It is to be savoured for itself. A slant of light through trees, or shapes emerging through an early morning mist are the angler's bonus. The sight of a kingfisher or crested grebe diving for food is a clue for the angler to absorb. It is at these times, when arriving at a chosen spot, that anglers learn about the patterns and rhythms of nature and their own place in the natural environment. The condition of water, the waterside vegetation, the behavior of wildlife are all part of the angler's developing water craft. These qualities of quiet thoughtfulness and an appreciation of things outside one's self are taken into other aspects of everyday life. The quest for fish gives extra spice.
Although fishing can be a solitary activity, there really is an angling community.
Whether it be part of the club scene, or unconnected individuals, it is usually centered around a tackle shop. This is where up to date information on venues, catches and methods is exchanged. The search for that elusive catch is shared by all. Information is exchanged freely in most cases, although, as in all walks of life, a few self obsessed anglers find it hard to give up their secrets. Fortunately, this type is a minority in angling. As it involves such a wide age range of participants, angling provides a great opportunity for the different generations to communicate in a situation of mutual respect. Mostly young and old talk easily with each other. Young or old, information can flow both ways. Because there are no absolutes in fishing, advice can be keenly sought and is readily given. It is my experience that young and old anglers talk to each other in a way I have not seen in other sports.
Part of the fascination for the angler is the preparation for a fishing trip. Working out suitable baits and methods of approach is a vital task. These may, in the end, be frustrated, but they are integral of the fishing experience. Many hours can be spent in preparing tackle and bait. The creativitity and skills of making and repairing fishing equipment is, for some, a great satisfaction – and a considerable saving. For others the answer lies in the tackle shop! Whatever your inclination you cannot avoid some preparation if you are to give yourself the best chance of catching fish. The anticipation continues to build from this point to the moment the angler reaches the water side.
The anticipation of a fish taking your bait, and then the excitement as float or rod tip gives way to the biting fish, is the secret of angling's fascination. This is what the angler seeks. The skill in reading what is going on underwater, out of sight, is the built up to a good day's fishing. Making the choices now can be vital. But because nothing is guaranteed, the constant challenge is to change things until they do. Just sitting there waiting for something to happen should not be an option. This requires both skill and ingenuity. Location and changing weather conditions are just two factors to take into account. Or perhaps the fish just aren't where you would like them to be. This may mean a drastic change of equipment or minute changes to bait and tackle. A good angler is constantly busy. From changing baits, altering the depth of a float or rearranging the weights, there is always something to do to get the better of the fish. So, it is hard to understand how fishing can be thought of as boring. True, sometimes the fish haven't read the script. Catching no fish is an experience all anglers face, but trying to outwit them requires thought, skill and an understanding of the natural environment.
There are many ways for the would-be angler to start. Going fishing with a relative or friend is often the easiest and most satisfying. This is not always an option. An alternative way is to find a teaching scheme run by a club or fishery. These should involve qualified angling coaches, guaranteeing safety and expert advice. Again the “fishing network” at the local tackle shop should provide information about what is on offer. Word of mouth is often the best source. Check things out before trying. There is a huge amount of information on fishing through books, videos, magazines and websites. These can be very helpful, but are no substitute for personal contact. If you are 12 or over you must have a rod licence before fishing. These are issued by the Environment Agency and they are available from Post Offices. They can be issued for a year or a shorter period. A word of warning, if you go fishing without a rod licence you could receive a very heavy fine.
Of course there will come a time when you have enough confidence to go fishing without a “coach”. Water and the natural environment can be dangerous, so it's always better to go fishing with a companion. I also think it is essential to be able to swim. Suitable clothing is important. It's often degrees colder by the waterside, so several thin layers rather than one thick one makes it easy to adapt to the conditions. It's always wise that the top layer is waterproof. This can be the first layer to be discarded, but is vital in wet weather. Waterproof footwear is also a good idea. Telling someone where you are going and what time you'll be returning is important too. Whatever your age! A mobile phone is a valuable, if not essential, tool. Where to go fishing is a matter of what is available locally. Often the best way to find out about safe, prolific places to fish is to ask at your local tackle shop. Usually run by experienced anglers, they can offer advice on location, local rules and best methods.
There are very few places where fishing is free. Most often, waters are controlled by a club or run commercially. You should expect to pay an annual fee to become a member of a club or otherwise pay a fee (called a Day Ticket) to fish club or commercial waters each time you fish. A Club book may offer you several places to fish and is often local and the best value.
The novice angler can advance to taking part in local, regional and national contests. These are often run by clubs and organizations for their members. Matches that are open to everybody are regularly run by commercial fisheries. National contests organized by the National Fe duration of Anglers lead to European and World competitions. England has a great reputation in European and World Championship events, having won many individual and team gold medals. So the sky's the limit!
Whether you are competitive or not, angling has all the elements of a lifelong pastime. Give it a try. You'll not regret it!
2. In Search Of Catfish.
For many years I had said to my wife “I'd love to catch a big catfish.” Now I need to make it clear that I am not a specimen angler and have a personal best carp of a mere 17lbs. It was a wild, unlikely thought. Imagine my surprise when she announced that, for my birthday, she had booked a short holiday in Spain in search of catfish. Better still, my son, daughter, son in law Andrew and grandchildren were coming too, making it a family celebration. Bavarian Guiding Services had been contacted and were prepared to cater for a geriatric angler and two inexperienced novices. Ours was not the usual fishing party, but our specific needs were readily catered for. There followed a lot of internet searches for information on what, for me, would be a very different angling experience.
Due to a delayed flight we arrived at our base in Mequinenza at 4 a.m. Despite the late hour we were met by Peter and shown our accommodation. Despite our tiredness, it was everything we had been promised and we were delighted with our apartment. Next day we met Peter in the office/tackle shop in Mequinenza and he introduced us to our guide, another Peter. We planned our first day's fishing.
My son and I were taken to Caspe Lake - part of the dammed Ebro system. About half a mile accross and with shingle beaches, the lake presented a blank canvas. With no decernable features, we would have to depend on our guide Peter for choosing our swim and our approach. We set up our four rods with calamari as bait and Peter set off in his tiny inflatable dingy to bait up the swim about 150 yards out. In went three large buckets of 6mm pellets followed by our baited terrminal tackle.
To our left a group of three local anglers greeted our guide and chatted away as they set up their rods. Very soon one was engaged in a struggle with a powerful fish. The rod arced, tip down to the water, and the angler's back arched until he was almost horizontal to the beach. Even at a distance you could feel the energy of opposing wills. A loud crack and a yell of exasperation broke through the quiet setting and the fish was gone. Even with basic knowledge of Spanish, you could sense there was little sympathy from his two friends. "Ah well! That's fishing!" is the same in all languages.
To our right, on another part of our beach, a pair of English anglers had already set up before us. Within half an hour of our arrival we watched a Chelsea fan struggle for twenty minutes to land a catfish of 140 pounds. Had I bitten off more than I could chew?
Looking upwards and into the sun, I watched the rod tips for the slightest sign. A quivering twitch, more representative of a feeding bream, was the only indication in the first two hours. Fresh supplies of pellets were rowed out. However I was not to be put to the test that day. As the sun sank lower, two more slight knocks on one rod were the only indications we had. Neither the Chelsea fans or the locals had anothe fish. We returned to our apartment disappointed but unbowed.
The next day was a different matter! Fishing from the same spot, we did not have to wait long before one rod arched over and I was into my first catfish. I have never experienced anything like it. As I pumped the rod, strength was draining from me and my legs buckled under the strain. The pebble beach slid beneath my feet and I was flat on my back. My son helped me up and I regained some control of the fish. Arms aching, as first I gained line and then lost it, at last I felt I was winning. I had great confidence in the rod's ability to handle the fish, but less in my own strength to see things through. As the fish showed its head some twenty metres out, and made its final desparate runs, I gritted my teeth for my own last effort. After a twenty minute fight I landed my first catfish. As it lay on the weighing mat, I sat breathless taking in its huge head and mouth and tapering body. It was as long as I am tall and when we weighed it, the scales turned to 91lbs. Not the biggest Cat, but my ambition had been fulfilled. I was exhausted but thrilled.
Soon my son Tim was into a fish of 90 lbs. After I landed two more fish of 40lbs I gave way to my son in Law Andrew who had arrived with the children and he took a couple of cats of about 40+lbs. Three times that day two rods had fish on at the same time. We finished an exhausting and exciting day with 15 cats between 30 and 90 lbs and an estimated total of 750lbs. We returned home aching but delighted with the day.
As much as anything to rest our aching limbs, we decided that Day 3 was to be a day for sightseeing.
Next day we planned a day carp fishing on the river in Mequinenza. We set up on a jetty on the outskirts of the village. We soon realized that conditions were not in our favour, as a constantly changing wind swept large blankets of floating weed through the swim and carried our hook bait away from our pellet loose feed. We had constantly to clean off weed and reposition our simple pater noster rig and add loose feed. But I think we all realized that this was to be “one of those days” and I introduced our guide to the term “blank”. Well that's fishing! However, we were all delighted. My ambition had been realized. Tim had exceeded his wildest expectation and Andrew also caught his biggest ever fish. An ideal birthday present and for me the trip of a lifetime.
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