Rising Fuel Costs vs Fishing

[Elton]

There's a piece in this week's Angler's Mail about the effect of rising fuel costs on angling, which had me thinking.

 

Already, this has affected what I do. Before, I went fishing; now, I think about the cost.

 

Okay, so it's not just the fuel - money is tight all round - but I do most of my fishing away from my home county and really am now starting to think about fishing closer to home.

 

As the prices continue to rise, do you think money will have more of an effect on your fishing this coming year?

[Vagabond]

I don't expect it will get any better, and am resigned to it. One thing I can tell you for certain - my fishing will not suffer - my pocket maybe, but no way am I going to stay at home watching my (free after age 75, whoopee!) television..

 

Gordon Brown is feeling the pinch too, and all those loyal Labour supporters will no doubt be grateful for their lowest rate of tax to be increased from 10% to 20%.

 

Mr Darling says he might help us pensioners with an increased winter fuel allowance - hmmm, note to self - must remember to stock up with pine logs before the winter, rather than rely on Wenceslas Darling.

[poledark]

Probably won't affect mine, I only travel about 4/6 miles each way nowadays. But I do know of several SE londoners, and a couple from Essex, who have dropped their tickets this year...........£25-00 a day for fuel starts to hurt, especially on top of bait and bits. That's when you start to way up whether you will actually catch something

 

I stopped travelling down to Dungie many years ago (almost 80miles each way then) when fish got scarce, and bait got dear.

 

And I expect the knock on effect to be increased ticket prices to compensate for falling membership#############

 

Den

[Elton]

There were fish in the sea, Den?

 

I go boat fishing a fair bit with a fellow board member here. We have an ongoing battle, whereby he refuses to take moneyf fuel from me. I have a feeling that this will change in 2008!

 

You're right, too - this whole thing could spiral. The overheads on most fisheries remain pretty stable, whatever the number on the bank is. Therefore, those who do fish may end up paying more.

[Neil G]

I'm trying to balance it out by concentrating on certain venues which aren't too far.

 

Only problem is oneof them is Chew Valley lake which ain't exactly cheap at £15 from the bank and £30 from the boat! I'm going to try and 'offset' this by only fishing the river locally otherwise which should keep costs down.

 

Other option is to sell the car and buy something cheaper....a 2 litre Clio isn't exactly cheap on tax these days!

[Jeffwill]

I'm trying to balance it out by concentrating on certain venues which aren't too far.

 

Only problem is oneof them is Chew Valley lake which ain't exactly cheap at £15 from the bank and £30 from the boat! I'm going to try and 'offset' this by only fishing the river locally otherwise which should keep costs down.

 

Other option is to sell the car and buy something cheaper....a 2 litre Clio isn't exactly cheap on tax these days!

 

 

High fuel prices affect everyone. Its rip off Britain for sure. I thought the Labour party were there to help the ordinary man but he's the one they chase for more revenue to pay for their increased spending! I will think twice the next General Election, Labour will be in for a shock.

[Dave Smith]

there where many waters I fancied having ago at this year but because of the price of fuel I've shelved or are thinking of single visits.

 

I commute 95 miles a day to work, the additional money that's now going into the tank has eaten into my free cash so buying tackle, bait and tickets has suffered too. I can't go into the tackle shop and just pick up what I want. I now go round and think I'm not spending more than £X and tot up as I go.

 

I've kept one ticket, and will be buying another soon but I'll also be fishing my local canal much more this season because theres no fuel involved. (200yrds from the front door).

[Leon Roskilly]

Back in the 1950's, early in the morning, small groups of men with fishing rods could be seen gathering in the lights of the street lamps, waiting for the hired bus to come to take them to some venue miles away.

 

These were the first small 'fishing clubs', clubbing together for transport much as small groups of sea anglers now form clubs so that they can hire a charter boat for the day.

 

With sandwiches packed, and bankside stoves and kettles and frying pans, there was plenty of time for socialising whilst waiting for the bus and if someone had a banjo, perhaps a singsong on the way to or from the chosen fishing spot 'Daisy, daisy, give me your promise do............' 'Roll out the barrel.......'

 

When we all bought cars and travelled alone to club owned waters, I think we lost an awful lot that was once part of the angling experience.

 

Perhaps there may now be a return to something like then, first starting with car sharing to keep down petrol costs, then hiring mini-vans, as commercial waters arrange pick-ups for customers in nearby towns and clubs organise coaches to go to away matches (as sometimes happens even now).

 

One thing is sure, as petrol becomes increasingly dearer, inevitably so as China and India etc gear up their economies just as we approach 'peak oil', we will learn to adapt, and maybe even find a better way of living and going fishing.

Edited April 25, 2008 by Leon Roskilly

[Elton]

Perhaps there may now be a return to something like then, first starting with car sharing to keep down petrol costs...

 

You're going to think I'm taking the pee here, now, but there's no way there's be room to car share with me when I go carp fishing. Not unless you have a VERY big car

[Dave Smith]

You're going to think I'm taking the pee here, now, but there's no way there's be room to car share with me when I go carp fishing. Not unless you have a VERY big car

 

Hiring a mini bus wouldn't be too bad price wise.....

Hiring an artic to get everyone's tackle in might be a little on the expensive side!

 

I've got a Volvo Est. and even with the seats down, fully ladened with kit, theres not much room left!

 

maybe we'll have to start taking a more simplistic approach to our fishing?