I too have a young family mrs and 4 kids. Occasionally I've lost the buzz but still push myself to keep going and work through it. It soon returns. I only do overnighters as weekends are spent with the kids. They aren't interested in fishing but hey ho at least I get to spend Sunday driving round the country for rugby 
The kids won't remember a dad that's never there and I couldn't look at myself knowing I've swapped fishing for there childhood. I still go fishing most weeks overnight. Enjoy the piece and quiet 
The kids won't remember a dad that's never there and I couldn't look at myself knowing I've swapped fishing for there childhood. I still go fishing most weeks overnight. Enjoy the piece and quiet
Don't worry about it . I fished hard for 12 years and loved every minute of it . Last year we had a baby and the brakes went of immediately. Since then iv only done a couple of sessions alone and and social trips as my main trips . Iv loved the freedom from not constantly worrying about getting to a lake or who's going to catch what . The social trips iv had have also been brilliant . I didn't used to do many as I was too wrapped up in my main fishing . Keep your gear and get out when you get the chance or when the urge gets you . It's only fishing after all
In reply to Post #1
I was in a similar position a long time ago, 4 young kids, lots going on, lost touch with the fishing buddies (letting them down) and it just stopped, even a sense of guilt thinking of going fishing, did not even notice the loss of interest, just stopped and the tackle went in the attic. I did take the young kids course fishing when they were in there teens but they rather be on there PCs/gameboy's.
About 25 years later, kids grown up, during the first lockdown went camping at a place called Wyreside fisheries just for a break and walking the dog in the morning it was OMG, it was like a lightning bolt seeing these guys with all these new ideas and methods and when I got home went straight to the attic, all the gear that hadn't been eaten by mice was outdated. The bug had returned and I cannot explain the thrill I have again at sitting at the bank whether catching or not.
On reflection I should have sold all gear that's worth something to spoil the wife, its worth nothing as mouse food and has advanced /will have moved on, so bought new anyway.
I was in a similar position a long time ago, 4 young kids, lots going on, lost touch with the fishing buddies (letting them down) and it just stopped, even a sense of guilt thinking of going fishing, did not even notice the loss of interest, just stopped and the tackle went in the attic. I did take the young kids course fishing when they were in there teens but they rather be on there PCs/gameboy's.
About 25 years later, kids grown up, during the first lockdown went camping at a place called Wyreside fisheries just for a break and walking the dog in the morning it was OMG, it was like a lightning bolt seeing these guys with all these new ideas and methods and when I got home went straight to the attic, all the gear that hadn't been eaten by mice was outdated. The bug had returned and I cannot explain the thrill I have again at sitting at the bank whether catching or not.
On reflection I should have sold all gear that's worth something to spoil the wife, its worth nothing as mouse food and has advanced /will have moved on, so bought new anyway.
In reply to Post #1
Another one with twins here, infact I had three under 2 and my fishing went on the back burner for a good 8 years and during that time I lost the buzz completely, forgot how to make a rig even. But I never sold my gear because I knew what it meant to me. Your life changes and you have to put your priorities in order of what matters most and your family will always come first, don't ever feel bad about that.
My twin boys are now 14 and my daughter has just turned 16 and next year will be the first time as a single dad that I will probably allow myself to do a 48 hour session whilst leaving them alone in the house. It's tough mate but when you are ready just go and take your rods and you'll love it again. You might lose your interest in fishing because of other important things going on but fishing will find you again.
It's one of those things so special to us that we never forget it, time alone away from everything just to get your head straight. You'll find your passion for it again 100%.
Another one with twins here, infact I had three under 2 and my fishing went on the back burner for a good 8 years and during that time I lost the buzz completely, forgot how to make a rig even. But I never sold my gear because I knew what it meant to me. Your life changes and you have to put your priorities in order of what matters most and your family will always come first, don't ever feel bad about that.
My twin boys are now 14 and my daughter has just turned 16 and next year will be the first time as a single dad that I will probably allow myself to do a 48 hour session whilst leaving them alone in the house. It's tough mate but when you are ready just go and take your rods and you'll love it again. You might lose your interest in fishing because of other important things going on but fishing will find you again.
It's one of those things so special to us that we never forget it, time alone away from everything just to get your head straight. You'll find your passion for it again 100%.
In reply to Post #1
Plenty of times. Sold my gear plenty of times too, whether it be for financial reasons or just getting sick of it.
Part of the buzz of getting back into it was buying stuff that suited the campaign I was embarking on. Plus, you know what works, and what to avoid buying in the future if it doesn't sort your fishing or if it was just complete garbage in the first place.
I'd say the vast majority of my gear now is second hand, with a lot of it being over 10+ years old. My thinking is, if it's already lasted 10 years, chances are with a bit of TLC it will last another 10.
Plenty of times. Sold my gear plenty of times too, whether it be for financial reasons or just getting sick of it.
Part of the buzz of getting back into it was buying stuff that suited the campaign I was embarking on. Plus, you know what works, and what to avoid buying in the future if it doesn't sort your fishing or if it was just complete garbage in the first place.
I'd say the vast majority of my gear now is second hand, with a lot of it being over 10+ years old. My thinking is, if it's already lasted 10 years, chances are with a bit of TLC it will last another 10.
In reply to Post #21
.
.
What I sometimes find is the excitement and build up to going fishing is the "buzz" getting everything ready, tying some new rigs, planning this and that, buying a few bits, watching a few you tube videos etc.....I cannot wait to get to the bank.....then after setting up and casting out I sit back......and sometimes its all just a bit of an anti-climax!
In reply to Post #21
100% this.
A place I was fishing was being kept quite and had been since before I set foot on it...just a punt on my part I ended up getting a ticket. All of the blokes on the place were anti social media as they knew what came with it...the hordes of morons, names and big tackle companies.etc.
It didn't take long before the wrong crowd turned up. In the last few years I had my ticket, I could see the decline, the selfishness and win at all costs attitude just to catch the biggest prize in the pit. Had quite a few newbs who couldn't even get their head around why I wasn't bothered either way of catching the largest in the place..they just couldn't even get it in their heads that it's not just about the fish, it's about the whole package for me.
100% this.
A place I was fishing was being kept quite and had been since before I set foot on it...just a punt on my part I ended up getting a ticket. All of the blokes on the place were anti social media as they knew what came with it...the hordes of morons, names and big tackle companies.etc.
It didn't take long before the wrong crowd turned up. In the last few years I had my ticket, I could see the decline, the selfishness and win at all costs attitude just to catch the biggest prize in the pit. Had quite a few newbs who couldn't even get their head around why I wasn't bothered either way of catching the largest in the place..they just couldn't even get it in their heads that it's not just about the fish, it's about the whole package for me.
In reply to Post #38
You are a strange bloke....why delete post 36 and repost the same at 38...
You are a strange bloke....why delete post 36 and repost the same at 38...
A few times over the years I've lost my hunger to get out carp fishing, but just change tack and get myself to the river to catch some chub or trot a float through for the roach and dace.
I've never once lost the love and want for angling.
I've never once lost the love and want for angling.
In reply to Post #39
The last paragraph didn't really matter and I double posted coz I'm special 🤯
The last paragraph didn't really matter and I double posted coz I'm special 🤯
In reply to Post #38
Exactly the same happened,had a lovely place with hardly anybody else ever on.Then a Facebook page got made by someone,now it's ruined.Two of my mates were bailiffs and they jacked it in as they were getting calls all the time about all sorts of goings on,such a shame as it was so peaceful and scenic
Exactly the same happened,had a lovely place with hardly anybody else ever on.Then a Facebook page got made by someone,now it's ruined.Two of my mates were bailiffs and they jacked it in as they were getting calls all the time about all sorts of goings on,such a shame as it was so peaceful and scenic
In reply to Post #1
Think everybody goes through a phase of “What am I going for?”
There's a hell of a lot more to fishing than just doing one miniscule part of it, the past couple of years I've matched my fishing to the time of year and the weather conditions, and go fishing for a species that's the viable option on that day.
I threw in the “Vintage tackle” option as well, now you're talking proper fun! Only problem is it appears loads of others have been thinking just the same, as the price of vintage gear is going through the roof of late!
But I guarantee you will soon get the buzz back
Think everybody goes through a phase of “What am I going for?”
There's a hell of a lot more to fishing than just doing one miniscule part of it, the past couple of years I've matched my fishing to the time of year and the weather conditions, and go fishing for a species that's the viable option on that day.
I threw in the “Vintage tackle” option as well, now you're talking proper fun! Only problem is it appears loads of others have been thinking just the same, as the price of vintage gear is going through the roof of late!
But I guarantee you will soon get the buzz back
In reply to Post #38
So true , with u all the way brother, I'm on a 350 acre venue, when the **** hits the fan ill go
So true , with u all the way brother, I'm on a 350 acre venue, when the **** hits the fan ill go
In reply to Post #1
My commitment & desire has waned over the last few years, mainly due to having to concentrate and progress in my career which at the time was what i wanted to prioritise.
However since the beginning of last year i started to realise the work life balance was too tilted and the sheer amount of plate spinning to get a weekend free to go fishing was becoming too much. As such i scaled my my fishing to odd nights and days session and have worked on changing my work situation to give me a better balance. Shortly i will move back on to continental shifts have 4 days off at a time - if im off at weekends it will be with the Mrs and if im off in the week it will be fishing.
As said it will always be there for you, some times you have to take a long term approach to get the buzz back.
My commitment & desire has waned over the last few years, mainly due to having to concentrate and progress in my career which at the time was what i wanted to prioritise.
However since the beginning of last year i started to realise the work life balance was too tilted and the sheer amount of plate spinning to get a weekend free to go fishing was becoming too much. As such i scaled my my fishing to odd nights and days session and have worked on changing my work situation to give me a better balance. Shortly i will move back on to continental shifts have 4 days off at a time - if im off at weekends it will be with the Mrs and if im off in the week it will be fishing.
As said it will always be there for you, some times you have to take a long term approach to get the buzz back.