I haven't seriously been fishing since before covid.
Last "proper time out " was early may bank holiday 2019 that was a weekend Friday lunchtime until Sunday lunchtime and that was a social booking.
Had a morning out carp fishing Xmas day 2024 got bored and went home.

A cruel, yet incredibly beautiful game we play.

Nourishment for the soul.

It's in our DNA.

Someone should send a link to this thread to Chris pacham..

Well first night on the bank in over a year .
The anxiety kicked in yesterday and all I wanted to do was go home .

Today I have woken refreshed and sitting here looking out over the lake drinking a cuppa.
13 acre lake averages around 20 feet deep.
Slept really well and feeling a lot more relaxed and less anxious , if you would have told me years ago I would get anxious fishing I would have told you to do one.

I'm in my happy place doing something I love ❤️
If I catch it's a bonus .

Had a full on crisis in 22, lost everything and I mean everything! Gave up on life and and was at the lowest point in my life. Months of counciling, life help courses and sorting my life out. Was advised by mental health practitioners to take up some hobbies again and look for new hobbies that are not solitary. So got myself sorted mentally and stabilised my life. Started golf but its never taken a hold and clubs are still in lockup for the last 18 months. Then 1 day thought I will get rods out again.i now live 400 yards from a small day ticket water and had done so for a year. Went for a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Usual day ticket dramas *******s etc. But good. Went for 1 day a week for a year and eventually got offered a syndicate place for last winter and now a yearly ticket. Still only doing 1 day a week and the lake is 1/2 mile away go with a neighbour as my new missus is worried im on my own but I now look forward to every trip and now spring has sprung I'm loving fishing and watching nature again 👍🏻 its not about large carp of numbers its everything that goes with it.

My advice is if you think your life is spiralling out of control seek help dont try and cope it doesn't work.

My second bit of advice is dont get rid of your fishing kit 😎😎😎

Sorry if this has babbled on 🤞🏻

In reply to Post #20
Similar to me, all about the great outdoors and being in nature, no better place to relax for me. Keep it going, good for the mind, body and soul

If the truth be known i bet the majority use it as an escape from normal life. I have all my life, I like the peace, quite, tranquility and some time alone

In reply to Post #19
And I blanked 😐 lovely time can't wait to go again .

Some great posts in here lads.

Over three years of hospital trips ( over 120) for me including 30 monthly cancer treatments. Physically I was fine and was working full time throughout most of it. Hardest bit was the mental strain. Decided against any counselling services from McMillan and chose to develop my own strategies. What really helped was the fishing including the bait making.Focused on a local so called rock hard water. Did very well, had some special fish. Was doing mid week overnights and often going to work on 2 hours sleep after bagging up on bream. Looking back it was a mad time but with many good memories.

In reply to Post #24
Well Done Inspiring

Thanks mate.

Always god to fish with a mate as well. Fished last friday to sunday with my fishing buddy. Great few days just talking, chilling etc.

In reply to Post #25
I agree,very inspiring for me also.I had heart problems and as soon as I was physically able to get back out on the bank,I couldn't believe how relaxed I felt once again. Fishing is truly the most underrated pastime,not to us anglers though!

Van nearly packed off for my second trip to my new syndicate .
First session on my own apprehensive but buzzing .
Next trip will be taking my dog for her first session .

In reply to Post #28
I couldn't believe how relaxed I felt once again

Always been a get away from normal life for me. Unplug, relax, enjoy the peace and quite, the views and the fish