What Fishing Means to Me

What does fishing mean to you?

Each and every person reading this will probably come up with a different answer, provoking a multitude of feelings and emotions. This is my take on things and will hopefully convey what place angling has in my life.

I first went fishing in my mid teens, a somewhat troubled time for me. The odd trip to the Thames at Kingston, travelling on the Greenline 726 service along with my kit. But most of my time was spent dangling a maggot in the River Wandle at Carshalton in Surrey. A much improved river in recent times by all accounts.

I don’t remember what my kit consisted of or even where I got it. What I do remember is my last trip ended up with me being irate and frustrated for reasons unknown, my tackle, rod and everything lying in the Wandle, never to be retrieved, it could still be there for all I know! So ended my first foray into the world of angling, having caught nothing whatsoever in all my trips!

I came back to fishing when I moved to Milton Keynes and realised I was living no more than two minutes walk from the Grand Union Canal, most convenient I thought!

My first bit of kit was a starter pack from a local tackle dealer, rod, whip, landing net and a few other bits and bobs; you know the stuff. It’s essentially still the basis of my kit. I’ve managed to accumulate odds and ends from Argos, markets and friends, I’m on a budget so I have to make do.

Bait-wise I use corn, meat, bread and the like, splashing out now and then on boilies, pellets or maggots and sometimes shop-bought groundbaits.

I fish most of the time with a light waggler setup, my other ‘carp’ rod is usually left to its own devices with a free running leger setup, hair rigged with this, that or the other. Nothing expensive, nothing fancy, just the basics. I read lots, trying to put into practice within the limits I have. The FM Forum is an invaluable tool to me for help and advice.

At this point I should explain myself a little. I’m 34, married with a tribe! A dysfunctional lot to say the least, hard work but lots of fun and very special.

I was diagnosed in 2005 with Bi Polar Disorder, manic depression for the uninitiated, after I took an overdose. It is characterised by tremendous highs in the form of irrational decision making, an overbearing sense of euphoria and spontaneity. This is followed by a deep depression, agoraphobia, sadness and feelings of being unworthy and to blame for all the up and downs we experience as people. This is currently where I am at the moment, plodding on day to day. So my apologies if this article seems a tad on the dark side!

Anyway, back to the fishing!

This is my second season behind the rod. I’ve found that angling means the world to me, subsequently playing a huge part in my life. It has been somewhat forced into my wife, Louise’s life to!

Most of the time it’s a solitary affair, my friends live in London, I don’t drive so the canal is my only real option. Until my best mate Gav comes, then we venture to one of the many lakes in Milton Keynes. Gav consistently out-fishing me, something he points out now and again, but soon the bragging rights will be mine!

Most of the time, company is what I crave least. My head being too full of stuff for conversation; that said, sometimes I’d love a cuppa and a chat with a fellow angler. My wife is not too conversant with all matters piscatorial! (Unless they are in a pie!)

My time at the canal gives me opportunity to organise my thoughts, to be on my own and reflect on past, present and future. Mainly I do overnight sessions because of the boat traffic, they are quiet affairs punctuated by the odd roach, bream and one 5-6lb tench, the highlight of my angling so far.

Even while fishing my mood fluctuates, as does everyone’s. All in all fishing gives me focus; preparing baits, rigs and the like. And pleasure when catching anything. But probably most importantly, time and space free of pressure and stress.

Long may it continue!

I’m Andy, an angling addict!