The Alternative Angler – Fish-in Magic

Fish-in Magic

Once again there have been some rumblings on the forums about the relative merits of the weekly fishing mags, and they’re not worth buying and you can get what you want from FM (other websites are available) etc, etc.

The one big advantage the FM has is that it is interactive to a degree that the press can never hope to be. Post a query, no matter how obscure, and (usually) the answer will pop up, sometimes instantaneously, and sometimes several different and often conflicting answers will be put forward, leading to further, often lively, debate. So far, so good then. It appears that we’re all one big happy cyber family, except……..

One other unique aspect of angling websites like FM is that this instant communication gives members the ability to organise meetings between like-minded cyber friends in the form of Fish-ins. Here you have a chance to meet up with fellow members and renew old acquaintances or put names to hitherto unseen faces, and all with a spot of fishing thrown in too. These meetings often have a non-too serious competitive edge, just to spice things up a bit. What could be better?

Well, maybe not better, but how about different? I really wanted to go to the Grayling Fish-in on the Stour, but a cruel double-whammy of physical and mental problems have combined to put a stop to that cunning plan. The small physical problem is that I am in Singapore during the week of this particular Fish-in, on a belated holiday held over from last year.

And with regard to the mental problem (yes, I know, thank you) that is entirely down to me. In the first instance, I have never fished for grayling. Now, whilst I hope there is no shame in admitting you are still a virgin when it comes to some species, compound that with the fear that you certainly don’t possess the necessary skills to even attempt to catch them and the likelihood of you turning up and looking stupid (yes, I know, thank you!) is getting pretty remote.

Which is the point I am trying to make. If I were able to go to this Fish-in with my scant knowledge of trotting running water and my even more scant experience of using a centrepin reel, what would I do? (And please note, this is in no way a criticism of the organiser or participants of this event). Do I ask someone to show me what to do, and have I got to beg, borrow or steal the appropriate tackle if I haven’t got the correct gear?

And ask yourself, is someone going to be willing to ‘waste’ a perfectly good day’s grayling fishing trying to show some ham-fisted noddy like me what to do, I know I wouldn’t. Or there again would I, and perhaps more importantly, should I? Now I am in no way trying to suggest that the Fish-ins are a closed shop, but maybe they could they be arranged to be more welcoming to those who aren’t necessarily au fait with the particular style or species of an event.

I know I have mentioned the Grayling Fish-in as an example, but how about what is probably the biggest annual FM’s gathering at Clattercote? For those whose experience of fishing the ‘Bagging Waggler’ or ‘Method’ is limited, (include me in that) five hours sat by yourself on a pile of pallets isn’t going to do much to enhance your knowledge or experience. You could well have drawn a winning swim, even the chance of catching a fish would be a bonus for some of us, but without a bit of expert tuition or guidance that probably isn’t going to happen.

Perhaps we should organise more of these events along the lines of the fly fishing Fish-ins, where the morning is taken up by offering tuition is to those attending who may be complete novices, or just a bit rusty. Maybe at the Clattercote match we could get a few of the acknowledged ‘experts’ to walk up and down the boards for the first hour or so offering advice to those who feel they might need it.

And with those experts busy for an hour it will give the rest of us a chance to get amongst the pay-outs for a change, its about time some sort of handicapping was introduced..!Or maybe we could get even get some kind of Pro-Am type match arranged where the experts could be teamed up with novices, that should sharpen up the competitive edge a bit!

I should perhaps make reference to my now infamous review of the Fox Lure Fishing DVD. I did apologise the other week because my article output dropped to just over 30 last year. But January is a bad time for me, as I am very involved in designing and building an (award winning, again..!) exhibition stand at the NEC. In the race to play ‘catch up’ I will freely admit that this particular article was rushed, and one or two of the throwaway, and probably ill thought out comments caused some bunions to be stamped on.

In fact, some of those comments made make me think long and hard about what I was doing, as it appears that I am not entirely up to speed with what is regarded as best practice in pike fishing circles, and for someone who thought himself a pike angler, that does sting a little bit.

Couple that with my ignominious attempt to break into the legitimate angling press last year and the doubts begin to creep in, as I don’t seem to be able to write ‘properly’ and now it appears I don’t know what I am writing about. (No change there, then, some would say).

I think I need to get out fishing a bit more…..

A bientot

Kevin