myself i cnnot comment on what was, but i do see a common trend where its carp or nothing else.
ive fished for as long as i can remember, i moved into carp fishing and ive had some lovely fish up to 32lb. my wife gave birth last year to my beautiful twin girls, ive been fishing twice in 12 months. the carp gear has dust on. the fishing i wanted was stick float, fiberglass rod and a small reel, mixed bag hoping for a big roach/perch to top the day off. i bet 50% of the anglers i know couldnt plum the depth or shot a float, and thats scary....

But of course, no one on here will judge you whatever your fix...

In reply to Post #46
I count myself very fortunate to have grown up trotting for Grayling on the Avon before moving on to carp. I'll happily admit probably 80% of my fishing is for carp, however I truly enjoy that other 20%, and am hoping to spend more time on other species this year

I read through this and some of it is laughable

Fishing is a magical pastime and a very personal experience for me and always will be. The things that makes me laugh the most are all these media whores and gob *****s trying to tell you how to do it. The only rules other that set by the water (yawn) are dictated by the angler himself, That's it, end of, whether that's the bloke sat with Argos gear enjoying his time on the bank or somebody sat with 10k of gear. It's all about the pleasure you take out of it ain't it?

The difference nowadays there is a breed that want to stuff everything down peoples throats for financial gane (the greedy ****s) or to be a “name” (the fame seekers) so before anybody starts spouting off they really need to think of the people and if they are interested because for me 99% of it is utter bollox

The reality is, if anybody truly thinks that some of these clowns are superior anglers they have not got a clue what they are talking about, just like the idiots spouting their *****. 99% of people are legering baits for carp, the biggest asset is how long you can sit their for. The percentage of top quality anglers is very small, it's become a pastime full of idiots trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes for their own gains

In reply to Post #1
Hi Wandle

"we've had the best of it"

Sorry, but I've heard this before and I totally and wholeheartedly disagree.
The only way the statement makes any sense is if you get yourself embroiled and obsessed with multimedia online content, "instant angler" and the "get in there" crowd. (Which funnily enough I'm doing right now)
There are 1000's of anglers out there who wouldn't dream of promoting a water or a catch online, the old days of "secret agents smothered in secret sauce" have been back in force for at least a decade. (the Austrian guy who refused to claim a national record because he doesn't like a circus)
Too many lakes yet to be explored, too many unknown carp out there, the best is deffinately yet to come

Best
Jon

In reply to Post #50
Agreed. I have 3 lakes and a small river within cycling distance to me
Full if roach rudd chub pike perch etc.
I'm on Facebook groups that show people catching all those species.

They are still there.

In reply to Post #50
Hello JF...I think in the context of what you are saying ,you are most likely correct ,however my experience suggests otherwise..

My local rivers are very polluted
My local fisheries ,that are formerly lovely viable ecosystems have been predated by cormorant ,otters not to mention rampant ruination of the countryside I hold so dear ,and of course the Tourist industry all these things have a marked effect on places I used to go and enjoy..

Will youngsters be able to access these places?..Will the Green terrorists,stop us fishing..

And I have to say with all this talk of 15 minuite cities and total,potential control of people's freedom of movement ,which is a looking like becoming a real thing under the guise of Green washing ,by the WEF ,and now being potentially implemented here ,even in sunny Kernow ,talk is of restriction of movement we take for granted ...

So,no ...we have had the best of it ,because the writing is on the wall,regarding immense changes ..stuff that most disregard as NUTS,is for some going to change how you and me live our lives.. if it comes to pass..

I wish people would look at what is happening in other countries..,

Time will tell,time will tell all...history is circular..

In reply to Post #50
I disagree with what you say, and I'll explain why.

The rivers are in a cr@p state, that is literal. We have predation, invasive species, pollution, over abstraction and lower numbers of fish, and losing available water space on the banks, that is not as many places to fish.

From personal experience I have seen Suffolk and Norfolk rivers go downhill, fewer big fish, less fish all together.

The media 'whores', to be honest I can switch off. I don't care if my 'Facebook friend' Joseph Bloggs puts every fish on Facebook, I can stop following his page, or Instagram. I can stop following Nash Tackle, Nutrabaits etc.

Now I am a member of a syndicate, but equally I can still fish other waters, be it day ticket or even free, and I do. I may be a carp angler, but I also fish for other species, Chub, pike, roach and even tench.
The media behind them is not as high profile.

In reply to Post #53
Well said..

My local rivers are FULL of phosphates,from run off of agricultural land and other amenities..including inadequate sewage collection..

And your are not allowed to even build an extension without an investigation at the moment..

The rivers I refer to are Camel ,Allen ,Inny ,Paradise, Jordan and Valency,these are the ones I know about..

However ,all this pales into insignificant green washing,when the regional development plans kick in ,places like Charlie boys Nansleden ,nr Newquay is just the start ...

I'd suggest people enjoy the remaining green fields whilst they can ,as this is part of massive changes to our lives...over 100 councils across the UK have silently signed up to this,...and the 15 minute city is integral to this..

Speaking generally tol one and all.you don't believe me ,do some simple reading and researching...


Enjoy ,your perceived freedom and countryside,whilst you can..things are moving faster than I realised,and the information given to.me 3 years ago is now a coming reality..

Its like reading The Sky is Falling Down – The Lesson of Chicken Licken on here.

Talking of Chicken..Chicken farms ,have ruined the river Wye.

In reply to Post #55
Perfect analogy! A few on this forum could benefit greatly from the wisdom of Chicken Licken.

In reply to Post #54
I was watching Countryfile last night, the mine drain adits don't help; full of tin, iron oxide, lithium, copper, and various other metals, an acidic pollution going into rivers and watercourses.
While some of the adits are 'cleaned', some are definitely not

In reply to Post #58
That's right Nick..

There are a few quarries locally ..some have adits that literally run from the mine into the sea, and or in many cases the river itself..I have a farmer ,small holding friend who wants to build onto of an existing garage,a small store for feed ,because of phosphates, he can't do it,the build..its really small..

If anyone is interested, you can go.on YouTube and watch subscribe to 'Ben o cam',this guy goes underground in defunct mines ,wheals the lot..

Very ,very interesting,...not far from St Austell, is Wheal Martyn ,you can visit this place and it will show you the use of water and the drying of China clay,which the area is famous .

In reply to Post #34
Very sorry to hear that, mate. I share your worries, as I am treading that same path, confronting the Big C.