Internet Angling habits

[Guest Fred Guttfield]

Dear All,

 

I'm writing an article about the 'internet angling revolution' and need to know what you think!

 

Is this the only internet angling site you visit? Which others do you use and why? What are the best sites? Would you like to see other sites or more investment? Does angling on the internet have a future? Do any of you get all your angling information off the internet to the exclusion of printed magazines? Do you check the form of your venue or the weather on the net before you leave? And what about forums? How have they changed your angling lives? Are you young/old?

 

Any opinions and views will be much appreciated!

 

Thanks very much,

 

Fred Guttfield

[Slyder]

Fred

 

well, that's a post that could generate some lengthy replies, but I'll be brief.

 

The forums that I check daily are AnglersNet , RMC and RDAA. Other sites looked at 'regularly' are FishingMagic and FishingWarehouse. For online buying it's usually Bosfish or Nimpopo. I do keep track of the weather online, usually via BBC website.

 

I think that the net has a huge potential in the area of angling provided enough people use the thing. Where else could you have the potential to have water/catch reports direct from a fellow angler as soon as the guy arrives home from his session? But it depends on people being willing to take the time to sit and type in the info at their comps. It could be that a large number of anglers are still getting onto the computer scene and whilst they have dabbled in web browsing and then email perhaps they are only just finding forums and thus will take some time coming round to the idea of posting information. I think it can be daunting for some people to put their words in the public domain for fear of criticism. I think the next year or two will be the defining time one way or the other as people become more comfortable with the technology.

 

Good luck with the article.

[phil dean]

Hi Fred, I visit here, Wacac (a local club site) and maggotdrowners. Here is my main home, but all three are a great source of information.

 

Since using the net for fishing info (about 18 months now) by PB's in many species have increased, I've met numerous other anglers locally and actually came across the club who's site i mentioned above (WACAC)

 

As a direct result of it, I have received a fly reel, and given away a match reel, taken up fly fishing and started using a centrepin for trotting.

 

If it was taken away now it would be like losing my left arm.

 

The most recent example of the benefit of the site was on a recent holiday trip, I bought some baits that I'd seen on here and caught my first tarpon with them, without having read some of the threads on lure fishing, i wouldn't have bought soft baits and would have stuck to traditional spinners, none of which attracted a single tarpon.

[mpbdsnu]

I visit several other sites' forums besides this one - I suppose one could say that each has its own personality.

 

It is because each one is different that makes it all the more enjoyable - almost addictive!

 

I have learned a lot from others on here and elsewhere - though sometimes one communicates with the same anglers on other sites but are using different user-names! Can be fun finding out who they are sometimes.

 

I purchase angling mags about twice a month, and therefore get most of the information I want from the internet - including latest news updates about the venue I'm about to visit - should they have their own site.

 

I would say that being a 'fishing forum junkie' my life as an angler has changed dramatically - its made me more aware of the latest tackle at least and more knowledgable as it has given me an opportunity to meet fellow 'postees' and learn from them.

 

Some would say I'm getting on a bit now - I'm 47, but then to others on here thats relatively young!

[chesters1]

this is the only forum i go on (although registered with a couple of others) the other angling sites i visit are in the collectors tackle type ones in my intrepid research type thing

away from angling its sites like " www.thegermannaughty.com " to download hard core porn (name changed to protect minors)

 

[ 03. December 2002, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: chesters1 ]

[peter mccue]

One of the major advantages of the internet for me Fred, is the immediacy of information.

 

On more than one occasion, I've gone through the mags to find them breaking news, that to the internet community is already yesterdays posts.

 

Also you find yourself reading evaluations of tackle, bait etc that is generally unbiased. Whether its right or wrong is immaterial, its the view of an ordinary angler free of commercial leanings (most of the time).

 

The specialised info to be gained is immense, after all the guys posting are also the guys out there doing the business, all you have to do is ask. Of course you like to feel that the internet is giving you the opportunity to help with info that may be of help to others.

 

It's certainly not the preserve of the young, & at 49 I don't think I'm in the minority group.

 

I view a few sites, A/N, F/W, R/M/C, C/A but tend to concern myself mainly with A/N & F/W.

 

Hope thats of some use,

 

Peter.

[Bradford Angler]

my my chaps . . . all those sites visited and not one of you mention the EA.

 

The environment agency, a collection of well versed individuals working together for the common cause with a common goal for anglers and all benefits for all others.

 

Specially if you own a salmon rod

 

Funded by recreational licence fees (on the whole) and managing the day to day management through expert capital investment in required projects.

 

whoops sorry . . . Defra . . . EA went bust . . sorry where was I . . oh yes well versed, to everyones benefit, nah nah nah

 

does no-one visit the EA site then . . it is ace . . tells you when the rod licence fee is going up

 

. . but dare you buy one online :confused:

 

for one . . I don;t think we could function like this without them

[Guest Fred Guttfield]

thanks for all the info guys, it's a big help!

 

Keep it coming!!!

 

Cheers

 

Fred

[Elton]

Fred Guttfield:

thanks for all the info guys, it's a big help!

 

Keep it coming!!!

 

Cheers

 

Fred

Fred,

 

I will give you a bell tomorrow, if it's any help.

 

All the best,

 

Elton

[Chris Plumb]

I've been with the IAC for nearly 5 years - interestingly the 'core' membership has hardly changed in that time - fished with some great guys and on some great waters as a result. Apart from here would also rate BFW very highly - again made some great contacts through that site...

 

Chris