Why do we fish?

[scorpio]

Personally I love my fishing for many reasons, the most important to me is the peace and quiet (normally) watching my float tremble as a mass of bubbles rise, feel that tug while rolling for barbel like an electric shock going through your arm and the beauty of the British countryside. We are always after that elusive fish but to me catching any fish is a bonus.
I have noticed that some people sit at a lake for days for one elusive fish to me this is not enjoyment but suffereing, I have heard people moaning about blanking and have been sitting in the same spot for ages..... Are fishing trends changing? Is there anyone else out there like me who would be happy catching Dace & Roach on trotted caster or catching Carp off the top with a fly rod? Does anyone fish for the small roach and skimmers in the RMC lakes with a rod and line anymore?
I hope so because this is what I think fishing is all about.

[fatboy]

I have fished for over 35 years, and still remember the first time my float bobbed in the water as a hungry gudgeon munched on the maggots. That feeling has stayed with me until today. There are not too many sports/pastimes/hobbies that can move from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other in a split second. One moment you are at total peace with your surroundings, the next adrenalin kicks in as your float goes under, or you get a knock on your quiver tip or that first beep from an Optonic.

I prefer to fish solo as it gives me time to think away from the rat race. The tranquility that fishing offers is most important to me. Also I find myself taking notice of things that we take for granted. I remember my nights on Wraysbury 1 where as evening drew in the rooks would flock in to find their roosts, the snakes would start their swim to and from the islands and when it was particularly warm, clouds of mozzies at the tops of the trees. If I was lucky there would be some nightime action (mostly unlucky though). Then you would start to see dawn breaking and the wildlife getting on the move again. The unfortunate heron being dive bombed by the protective crows, even a mole heap forming on the bank beside you. With all that who needs fish!!

Bit of a romantic view, but I think we have lost some of this with the hi-tech approach many people (including me on accasions) use today, however these are the sort of reasons that draw me back to the bankside.

[rhornegold]

Angling can be all things to all men, in my book it comes down too different strokes for different folks, be it Roach or Carp, its their preference.
There is no right or wrong way to go angling as long as you break no rules or do no harm to the environment; also no species has a greater value than another.
This seems lost on many anglers who want to impose their preferences on others, the jealousy and secretiveness in the modern big fish scene quite amazes me.
Surely it's all about the pleasure of preparing you're fishing tackle and bait in anticipation of the forthcoming fishing trip that adds too the whole angling experience.
Even living on the edge of London surrounded by pylons, motorways,trains and planes going into Stanstead,they are soon forgotten, just being on the bank whether I catch or not is enough for me.

Bob Hornegold<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rhornegold on 23/11/00 02:40 PM.</FONT></P>

[ian]

i go fishing because it better than painting my house and the wife can't get in the lake

[clive]

I think you guys are spot on.. it's about being out there, it's that great quote that there's more to fishing than fish! I've sat beside the river Lea at Fishers Green with the world passing by, my mind wandering when a wren (yes, a skittish, shy wren) has landed on my tackle bag then hopped onto my shoulder across my chest and then flown to a nearby tree.. just what is something like that worth!!!

[scorpio]

Glad you agree Clive, I have picked a shrew out of my sweetcorn pot, scared me out of me life at first, I had a stag drinking from a lake at 2am, it didn't even know I was there, these are the magic moments of fishing, but then again, catching fish is nice too, that is the other magic side of fishing, not knowing what is below the water, it may be a 1lb bream next or a 10lb tench. Magic moments last forever. I do think that there are not enough people who have this view or attitude these days though, they are there in competition, not only match fishing but in competition with themselves and others. I just enjoy being there.

[William]

Hi,
I fish because i like catching fish. I also just like being away from home and having fun trying to catch

[GregF]

It's good to hear there are still many people out there who fish for 'all the right reasons'. I'm mainly addicted to carp fishing at the moment (well in the summer I am, in the winter I'm addicted to my duvet), and although I always want to catch a bigger one than last time, that's not the real point. A ringside seat on a real-life nature documentary, Misty dawns, tranquil dusks, good companions and a pint at the end of the day. These are the reasons I fish, It is the ultimate stress reliever, and totally takes my mind off work and other worries.

[daytimedave]

hear,hear,
gregf,you`ve summed it up well
a like minded soul!
i love just being there,rods or no rods
wildlife is equaly rewarding as catching
regardless of weather
those hazzy early morning mists,on the surface of a
stillwater in early summer late spring,fish topping,
birds singing,early morning dew,sunrises
i could go on for ever
bring it on!
is it summer yet

dtd..........tight lines

[loki]

Scorpio and Fatboy have summed it up for me perfectly.

[Rivercarper]

No women no work no kids, nuff said me thinks.

[Smarts]

And...no fish...or so we're led to believe Neil!!

Smarts

[Rivercarper]

1150miles between fish in the last 6 weeks.At least I had a nice tench saturday morning.January has been hard going so at least I've turned the corner now.But knowing my luck it will be a dead end.

[clive]

Where did you pull the tench out Neil?

Clive

[Nick_the_Fish]

i recall back in the 80's that there was a game called Jack Charltons match fishing on the ZX Spectrum. It was a truly fantastic game!

[Rivercarper]

Enton Lake near Godalming Surrey.