So, what do you want of an angling weekly then?

[Guest sslatter]

Whilst reading this thread, I was reminded of something that I saw on TV once. It was either Fred J. Taylor, or Sir Michael Hordern being interviewed, (can’t remember which), and the interviewer asked them what they wanted from their fishing, at their time of life. They replied something to the effect of: “When I was a lad, all I wanted to do was catch a fish…then, as a teenager, all I wanted was to catch as many fish as possible…as I grew to manhood, all I wanted to do was catch a big fish, and then, as a grown man, to catch as many big fish as possible. Now that I’m older, I don’t care if I catch a fish or not. All I want to do is to be outdoors in a beautiful secluded spot, and enjoy the experience of being alone in a natural setting. Whether I catch anything or not is immaterial.” I found myself relating a lot to what this man had said.

So…I’m wondering if our reading tastes, as regards angling material, echo this change? Could it be that as we grow older, we hanker no more for the technical accounts of big fish capture, and just yearn for good narrative, writing that is atmospheric, mysterious, evocative of the actual experience of going fishing? Of being alone with nature? Irrespective of whether one actually catches anything, or not?

Just a thought.

 

[ 27. December 2002, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Graham X ]

[Dunk Fairley]

I agree, with all of that. I'd rather read about someones entire angling adventure, than read about someone "having a right result" or having "three twnties, topped by this monster".

It seems that if you catch a big fish (Carp especially), you have to take three valium, just so you can look miserable enough when you hold your fish for the camera. Come on, cheer up. We all fish for fun don't we?

 

Printing costs, unfortunately, dictate the amount of advertising required to fill up any mag or paper. But by the way they fill up the rest of the space, you'd think there were only about ten other "stars" out there.

[John Ellison]

I particularly like the 'local specialist' spreads.

You know, the blokes who fish their own patch, work it out for themselves and then do a 'one off article' on how they achieve what they do. We can usually pick out a few good tips and relate to some of our own experiences and there's always something to learn from it.

In 1997 the Angling Times did a 'How did they do that' series. I cut out a few articles and saved them in a loose leaf file. Very, very informative.

Santa brought me River Carping by Neil Wayte. This has 21 chapters written by the blokes that fish their local waters and I'm enjoying reading it. You are reading THEIR diaries.

[chris]

I used to take th Angling Times every single week,now perhaps twice per month if that.What was a good read has now become very bland.Take the area reports.In my area(surrey),they use to report on the stillwaters and the Thames and rivers Mole and Wey,now the three latter never get a mention :mad: .Dont think the Norfolk Broads exist any longer,at least not to A/Times. :eek:I notice the sea section is as bad.

I would like the basic format to return to something like its former self.I for one would prefer more articles from a broader range of top names.

chris

[Andy Macfarlane]

Rigs and more rigs.

 

I cannot be bothered with the blokes who say "Look at my massive fish..I won't show you how it was caught, the depth the air temp etc. It's nothing far short of showing off.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a 30 but I fish for the love of fishing and that is it.

I want to see clear diagrams and methods..tried and tested to the max.

[Alan Pearce]

I had great hopes when Coarse Angling Today first appeared, the first few issues were refreshing and of good quality. However a year further down the line it seems to be going the way of the 'other' angling mags, too many big pics, not enough good editorial read and pages upon pages of mail order adds. The last couple of editions took me only fifteen minutes each to read, not good value for money. And with due respect to its contributors do we really need more 'how to do' type articles and pictures of a can of spam, or a handful of boilees.

 

IMO it is the best of a bad bunch of general coarse angling mags, with Pike and Predators still being the best specialist mag. Shame though that it went into full colour as I personally adore black and white. However this was probably done so that more Badger ads could be accomodated within the mags signatures.

 

As for the weeklies, I hate the 'new' format AT and have since stopped buying it. AM I can just about handle and buy most weeks, but miss Roy Westwards End Peg. AM's new editior Tim Knight I'm not so sure about as yet as he appears to be trying to be too hip. I get the impression he prefers football to fishing, perhaps I'm wrong or becoming an old fart, time will tell. Perhaps I should get rid of my drab green fishing clothing and buy a new bright blue or red suite, sit out in the water on a bright shiny box and stuff tiny fish into a nice pink keepnet.

 

Alan.

[Peter Waller]

Perhaps, Alan, the keepnet should be blue and the suit pink!