Quite an emotive subject as Adam well knows 
Well done for bringing up as a discussion 👍
I think as a whole - yes, the best has gone, but what is left is also heartening in some respects.
General fishing: Yes it has declined due to more ‘instant' and attractive' pursuits. But amongst club waters there are still junior clubs and individuals trying to help. Not as good as the 60's - 80's but not totally dead. I take my grandkids fishing, both singly and as a ‘family day' so all is not dead, but certainly not as it was.
Match Fishing: Not what it was. In the 50's to late 80's it was massive.Various leagues aiming to put individuals or teams in National events. Big news type write ups in Angling Times making some anglers nearly household names. Most people still remember Benny and Kevin Ashurst, Ivan Marks,, then in later years Dave Harrel (sp) JanPorter, Bob Nudd. I was into match fishing, then into ‘Spezzie Fishing then into carping.
Spezzie Fishing: Vanished mainly but still some people engaged under the radar. Not carp these days but big barbel, chub, crucians, bream and pike. Some good anglers landing specimin roach from the rivers also. I like to believe some of these captures are venue specific meaning that they are not ‘out there' like big carp captures but I also think that part of the ‘ under the radar' approach is deliberate to avoid the circus like carping has become.
Carping: yes deffo: you can argue that bigger fish are being landed but at what cost. It's now a multi million pound circus.The early days have gone, reading Kevin Maddocks and practicing how to get out of a sleeping bag to hit a take is now replaced by an angling ‘celebrity' explaining how the latest bit of kit costing hundreds will now catch you fish. Virtually everyone wants to be famous, speaks in a strange language of'wraps' and is sponsored.
I'm now 66 years old, been doing carping since binning match angling, going through the spezzie stage then going full carp inthe70's. I'm now planning my exit. I do a week at time on what is a ‘proper' syndicate not a glorified ‘members only' lake making someone a living or profit. I see virtually no one during the week on lake as it “only has fish to high 30's” so the mongs either keep away or don't get through the membership filters. I'm starting to struggle a bit in the winter months but will keep on going, maybe just doing April - Nov as I get older. However, when the time comes I will sell the gear, buy a small van and put the Bedchair in the back and do a couple of days at a time on tranquil, little fished rivers, revisiting my childhood but with a few good pubs taken in as well. One thing for sure, on little fished rivers it's still as good as ever 👍👍
Well done for bringing up as a discussion 👍I think as a whole - yes, the best has gone, but what is left is also heartening in some respects.
General fishing: Yes it has declined due to more ‘instant' and attractive' pursuits. But amongst club waters there are still junior clubs and individuals trying to help. Not as good as the 60's - 80's but not totally dead. I take my grandkids fishing, both singly and as a ‘family day' so all is not dead, but certainly not as it was.
Match Fishing: Not what it was. In the 50's to late 80's it was massive.Various leagues aiming to put individuals or teams in National events. Big news type write ups in Angling Times making some anglers nearly household names. Most people still remember Benny and Kevin Ashurst, Ivan Marks,, then in later years Dave Harrel (sp) JanPorter, Bob Nudd. I was into match fishing, then into ‘Spezzie Fishing then into carping.
Spezzie Fishing: Vanished mainly but still some people engaged under the radar. Not carp these days but big barbel, chub, crucians, bream and pike. Some good anglers landing specimin roach from the rivers also. I like to believe some of these captures are venue specific meaning that they are not ‘out there' like big carp captures but I also think that part of the ‘ under the radar' approach is deliberate to avoid the circus like carping has become.
Carping: yes deffo: you can argue that bigger fish are being landed but at what cost. It's now a multi million pound circus.The early days have gone, reading Kevin Maddocks and practicing how to get out of a sleeping bag to hit a take is now replaced by an angling ‘celebrity' explaining how the latest bit of kit costing hundreds will now catch you fish. Virtually everyone wants to be famous, speaks in a strange language of'wraps' and is sponsored.
I'm now 66 years old, been doing carping since binning match angling, going through the spezzie stage then going full carp inthe70's. I'm now planning my exit. I do a week at time on what is a ‘proper' syndicate not a glorified ‘members only' lake making someone a living or profit. I see virtually no one during the week on lake as it “only has fish to high 30's” so the mongs either keep away or don't get through the membership filters. I'm starting to struggle a bit in the winter months but will keep on going, maybe just doing April - Nov as I get older. However, when the time comes I will sell the gear, buy a small van and put the Bedchair in the back and do a couple of days at a time on tranquil, little fished rivers, revisiting my childhood but with a few good pubs taken in as well. One thing for sure, on little fished rivers it's still as good as ever 👍👍
In reply to Post #31
Last paragraph
Enjoy your fishing pal
Last paragraph
Enjoy your fishing pal
In reply to Post #31
Kevin's still at it mate, fished against him several times on the Weaver in recent years, Autumn 21 was the last time I spoke to the big man.
#1 The best of it is always when you're doing it, regardless of era. Things will always change that's life, crack on.
Kevin's still at it mate, fished against him several times on the Weaver in recent years, Autumn 21 was the last time I spoke to the big man.
#1 The best of it is always when you're doing it, regardless of era. Things will always change that's life, crack on.
In reply to Post #31
I'm 58 and I have a very similar background to you. I was planning to retire next year to do even more fishing but cancer may have put an end to that so realistically I'm also likly to be planning an exit
I'm 58 and I have a very similar background to you. I was planning to retire next year to do even more fishing but cancer may have put an end to that so realistically I'm also likly to be planning an exit
The best of it?
You ask some thought provoking questions Adam! I do all kinds of fishing from River, Pike/Cat, Grayling, and will happily fly fish for anything that comes in my range. Reading the posts below I must be lucky as it just seems the same as back in the so called “Golden days of the 80' & 90', it's probably because all the 5 waters I fish are run on a none profit basis, run purely for pleasure.
But when talking to many anglers from all branches of the sport on the bank – Carp fishing seems to be the one many believe has got ruined, and one word always crops up in the conversation “Greed”
You ask some thought provoking questions Adam! I do all kinds of fishing from River, Pike/Cat, Grayling, and will happily fly fish for anything that comes in my range. Reading the posts below I must be lucky as it just seems the same as back in the so called “Golden days of the 80' & 90', it's probably because all the 5 waters I fish are run on a none profit basis, run purely for pleasure.
But when talking to many anglers from all branches of the sport on the bank – Carp fishing seems to be the one many believe has got ruined, and one word always crops up in the conversation “Greed”
In reply to Post #34
That's **** mate. Really feel for you ☹️
That's **** mate. Really feel for you ☹️
In reply to Post #34
I hope you can continue fishing in some form and wish you all the best for the future.
I hope you can continue fishing in some form and wish you all the best for the future.
In reply to Post #34
well that's put a few things into perspective and a stop to moaning what one wears to a carp show or baiting poles!!!
May i wish you all the best and hope you get out there!
well that's put a few things into perspective and a stop to moaning what one wears to a carp show or baiting poles!!!
May i wish you all the best and hope you get out there!
In reply to Post #34
Take care of yourself, enjoy what you can and I hope all goes well for you.
Take care of yourself, enjoy what you can and I hope all goes well for you.
In reply to Post #34
Sorry to hear this mate and wish you the very best.
Sorry to hear this mate and wish you the very best.
In reply to Post #1
There's all types of angling available in the UK and Europe and many lakes to suit your style. its open to everyone and on a day ticket fishery you can find all levels of angler and sometimes this can be an issue for certain anglers. Which is understandable.
The old guard still post on here everyday / week and also moan about social media destroying fishing.
There's all types of angling available in the UK and Europe and many lakes to suit your style. its open to everyone and on a day ticket fishery you can find all levels of angler and sometimes this can be an issue for certain anglers. Which is understandable.
The old guard still post on here everyday / week and also moan about social media destroying fishing.
Some nice memories on here
Mr beanladen, sorry to hear that and I add my best wishes to you.
With regards to the thread topic, I think every generation thinks they have it 'best' don't they?
If you take music for example, today's youth think Billie eilish is the best, but others on here might go for tori Amos at her peak, or Kate Bush, or Janis Joplin or Dame Vera Lynn for some of you...
Lewis Hamilton is the 'best', but he's no Schumacher and he couldn't drive Senna's car, nor Stirling Moss' or Fangio's
Messi, gullit, Cruyff, Pele.... all the 'best'
In a decade or so there'll be anglers reminiscing about the first bait boats or how lucky they were to fish one of the syndicates that were so well run. Ask a disabled angler if they'd rather fish today or 30 years ago when they couldn't access so many waters.
Angling remains huge in terms of participation and while many might give up a 'fad' many will become the next 'older generation ' just like some on here. Not me of course. I'm still a youngster in comparison
Appreciate the positives we have and avoid the circus - real or media - and you'll be ok
Mr beanladen, sorry to hear that and I add my best wishes to you.
With regards to the thread topic, I think every generation thinks they have it 'best' don't they?
If you take music for example, today's youth think Billie eilish is the best, but others on here might go for tori Amos at her peak, or Kate Bush, or Janis Joplin or Dame Vera Lynn for some of you...
Lewis Hamilton is the 'best', but he's no Schumacher and he couldn't drive Senna's car, nor Stirling Moss' or Fangio's
Messi, gullit, Cruyff, Pele.... all the 'best'
In a decade or so there'll be anglers reminiscing about the first bait boats or how lucky they were to fish one of the syndicates that were so well run. Ask a disabled angler if they'd rather fish today or 30 years ago when they couldn't access so many waters.
Angling remains huge in terms of participation and while many might give up a 'fad' many will become the next 'older generation ' just like some on here. Not me of course. I'm still a youngster in comparison
Appreciate the positives we have and avoid the circus - real or media - and you'll be ok
In reply to Post #42
Proper Reminiscing!
Music wise I'm all over the place, things like Darude and Sandstorm, 2Unlimited, Culture Beat, proper old school nightclub tracks, but I also like Queen, Iron Maiden, Ac/Dc, Bon Jovi, Guns'N'Roses, along with Peter Gabriel, The Levellers, Pat Benatar, and some Tchaikovsky like the 1812 Overture or Beethoven.
I agree that day ticket waters have come on on the access for disabled anglers, but I can honestly say that many of the waters I've fished since 2000 or even before, whether club or syndicate weren't too bad for disabled anglers, from Nazeing, Earith, Ardleigh, Barham B pit even Alton and the current syndicate as where I fished or fish I could and can frequently unload from the car right behind the swim. I think that possibly I notice and reflect it more from that point more now as I fit into that category.
I do miss the 80's and 90's for fish and fishing other than carp, but as you've pointed out, fish for your own satisfaction and your pride, not for social media 'likes'.
Proper Reminiscing!
Music wise I'm all over the place, things like Darude and Sandstorm, 2Unlimited, Culture Beat, proper old school nightclub tracks, but I also like Queen, Iron Maiden, Ac/Dc, Bon Jovi, Guns'N'Roses, along with Peter Gabriel, The Levellers, Pat Benatar, and some Tchaikovsky like the 1812 Overture or Beethoven.
I agree that day ticket waters have come on on the access for disabled anglers, but I can honestly say that many of the waters I've fished since 2000 or even before, whether club or syndicate weren't too bad for disabled anglers, from Nazeing, Earith, Ardleigh, Barham B pit even Alton and the current syndicate as where I fished or fish I could and can frequently unload from the car right behind the swim. I think that possibly I notice and reflect it more from that point more now as I fit into that category.
I do miss the 80's and 90's for fish and fishing other than carp, but as you've pointed out, fish for your own satisfaction and your pride, not for social media 'likes'.
In reply to Post #34
Andrew ,your post definitely puts everything in. perspective,I sincerely wish the very best for you...
Adam
Andrew ,your post definitely puts everything in. perspective,I sincerely wish the very best for you...
Adam
And.. thanks to all.the replies,I thought I'd get some good feedback on this..
I've always been like this...asking questions others might not ask.,just ask my history teacher,Miss Axton years ago ...I wanted to know about the Holocaust,why,why,why I wouldn't stop asking ...
Stay curious...or everything is mundane..,remember always dig ,below you might not like what you find ...but you have satisfied yourself ..or opened Pandoras box..
Best W1
I've always been like this...asking questions others might not ask.,just ask my history teacher,Miss Axton years ago ...I wanted to know about the Holocaust,why,why,why I wouldn't stop asking ...
Stay curious...or everything is mundane..,remember always dig ,below you might not like what you find ...but you have satisfied yourself ..or opened Pandoras box..
Best W1