Promoting Angling

[Wildfisher]

As a follow on from the thread about that BBC fishing programme and Matt Hayes' comment he only agreed to do it to promote angling.

Why would we want to do this? OK, if I was in the tackle trade or ran some sort of commercial fishing enterprise I might want more anglers. The reality is that when I were a lad everyone seemed to fish and even the rivers around here got a bit busy, often very busy. These days I seldom meet anyone whilst fishing and I have to admit that suits me. I would not like to go back to the old busy days.

If we as WFF members are so keen on promoting fishing why are we so coy about naming the places we fish? I'd suggest it's because we would rather preserve them for the few. We are sometimes accused of being elitist, jealous conservationists is a term I prefer.

So what do you think?

[SoldierPmr]

I believe if you want to fish you will find your own path (I did) regarding TV I have tried to watch these angling shows which try to grab the publics attention they seem to fail on both accounts too clumsy for anglers and too dull for the public.

One of my old favourites is Paul Young on Hooked On. You could see the chap was going about just doing what he enjoyed.

[Clan Chief]

Does it really need promoted? I don't think so!

[Wildfisher]

Does it really need promoted? I don't think so!

There are two sides to it. Many angling clubs struggle to get enough members to keep them viable. While this is not a big deal if the club controls no waters it can be if it does and could lead to a loss of available fishing if the club folds.

[corsican dave]

hmm, double-edged sword of course. were it not for the popularity of sport fishing worldwide it's unlikely that tackle manufacturers would be quite so competitive in their developments and pricing. it wasn't that long ago that home made rods from tank aerials and so on were the only way a normal (ie relatively poor) person could get into fishing. my first fishing seat-box was handmade by my dad. I simply couldn't afford a basket. the Shakespeare catalogue was dog-eared and tattered within days of coming out (with no hope of actually buying anything) and the Abu Tight Lines catalogue was an object of reverence.

whilst fishing isn't about consumerism, there's no denying that the tackle trade drives developments that we benefit from. Matt Hayes, of course, has a vested interest in promoting fishing; it's his job. but to be fair to the guy he is a very accomplished angler and, all things considered, a very good presenter and journalist. so he deserves his hard-won success and more power to him, imo. whether you like him or not is another matter.

I also echo Fred's concerns regarding the viability of clubs and access to fishing. tough one. I was down on the Clyde last weekend and saw more fishermen in one day than I've seen during the whole season up here. I also saw bailiffs at work, which was very much a first for me.

being completely selfish about it, i'm very happy to take the benefits offered by the promotion of angling without finding hordes of people in my favourite spots!

[Wildfisher]

I also echo Fred's concerns regarding the viability of clubs and access to fishing. tough one.

It is a tough one. Our own club, the LDAA, struggles to get members in spite of having two pretty good rivers under our umbrella. We try to promote it as best we can.  I have improved the web site, try to write the odd article to tempt day visitors and have made day and weekly permits available for purchase on-line. We need to be able to pay The Crown Estate for our leases and that's a hard fact. If we cannot we don't have any waters. We even cut kindling and sell it to help make up any deficit whilst keeping  the membership and permit fees reasonable.

I have to admit though that my inner self is uncomfortable with this idea of promotion and I enjoy fishing the Luther or Bervie knowing I won't meet anyone else. Selfish I know, but it's better to be honest. I have seen the effect that endless magazine articles by Paul Proctor and his ilk  had on the numbers fishing The Don, when it was at its peak it was so bad it was not worth going.  It just ruined it for everyone.  I believe the same has happened on The Clyde and Annan.

Great for permit sales, bad for quality of the angling experience. 

Our poll is not meant to be taken seriously, it has no real purpose, but I'm in the "It's OK as long as the bastards stay away from my favourite waters" camp both virtually and physically while knowing full well that in the real world I can't have my cake and eat it.

[Mark]

From a selfish point of view Id prefer never to see another angler when Im out, especially fishing smaller rivers. Although most people you meet are very nice I don't go fishing to socialise, its about the peace and quiet, blending in with your surroundings. Thats why that abomination of a fishing programme is so bad, it has none of this. Oh and I don't like to hear people screaming 'fish on' when they hook something.

But fishing clubs are very important. If they fold we'll be left with day tickets (if any fishing at all), the hassle of having to pick this up from some estate or ghillie....sounds like hell to me. I do buy several season tickets even if I only fish once or twice a year just to give money to the right place. I wish some would stop stocking but thats a different matter.


By the way Fred the LDAA website is excellent. Why oh why everyone doesnt sell day permits online is beyond me. You can limit numbers if wanted, its very cheap to do and makes the whole process so much easier. It can only be to make it as difficult as possible within the law (talking Tay system here) that everyone doesnt do this.

[Wildfisher]

If there was a "like" button here I'd click it on Dave's, Liam's and Mark's posts.  But some grungy old bastard took it off. :lol:

[Wildfisher]

But fishing clubs are very important.

Too true. I'm in two and applying to join another. I'm not by nature the "clubby" type and some of the stuff the Arbroath club does is anathema to me, but some things are worth preserving for their own sake. Many clubs are barely holding on by their finger nails and I can't imagine what it would be like without them.

[corsican dave]

If there was a "like" button here I'd click it on Dave's, Liam's and Mark's posts.  But some grungy old bastard took it off. :lol:

"like"  :