What is a 'true' angler?

[Peter Waller]

Steve Burke suggests that all 'true' anglers should join the ACA, provided it sorts itself.

 

Well, can't argue with that! But what else makes a fellow, or lady, a 'true' angler?

 

I reckon our Bernard Venables was pretty much a 'true' angler, as is Chris Yates, amongst others!

 

This is a subjective one so don't take offence folks! I know some will not agree but I'd start off with the traditional close season, following that is a large part, for me, of being a 'true' angler.

 

And now its the 'what doesn't make a true angler'! I do not think 'bivvies', irrespective of species, are for 'true' anglers. Great for sleeping in, but not for angling from. Encamped behind a battery of rods, for me anyway, is not angling. As for TVs in the bivvy, arghhhh!!

 

I'm not sure that one species only specialists can really call themselves true anglers either.

 

So I think I know what isn't being a 'true' angler is all about, but what makes a real 'true' member of the angle? Rose tinted specs on folk!!

[Andy Macfarlane]

What makes you a true angler Peter?

[Peter Waller]

I sometimes wonder if I am Andy. Thats why I'm asking!! I'd like to think I am, atleast some of the time. A bit of 'tongue in cheek' won't go amiss!!

[Newt]

'True' angler - whoof Peter. That's a toughy.

 

I think we can take as givens

- treats fish with respect**

- treats surrondings with respect

- treats others on the water with respect

 

After those, I'd have to say that it's pretty much a person who fishes on a regular basis in any way that he/she enjoys.

 

So I guess I do allow for all the stuff you list as being 'not true angler' in my list of ways that are OK to do and still call yourself an angler and be what I'd consider a 'true' angler.

 

** - treats fish with respect

can and does include releasing them, keeping them alive for bait, killing them for the pot, killing them for bait.

[Mat Hillman]

I'd say a true angler is someone who

 

Enjoys their fishing (expert of not)

 

Treats fish, the water and the surrounding enviroment with respect

 

Treats fellow anglers with respect, even if he doesn't agree with thier style of angling!

 

Mat

[poledark]

Thats me summed up then Mat

 

Den

[Nugg]

I would say. A true Angler is one that is prepared to put in a bit of craft work into catching his chosen prey, into his baits and presentation, into his tackle and into where he chooses to fish, and he'll most likely do this in all weathers. I personally don't think a bivvy or a boat, rates very high on the use of tackle or choice of fishing spot. "foul" some of you will cry. Probably, loudest from those that fish from a boat, or use a bivvy. I by the way rate myself as a mediocre leasure angler of some experience, a Jack of all trades but master of few. I don't see myself as any kind of expert, but I have a lifetime of knowledge that I can call upon when a given situation presents itself.

[kleinboet]

To me a true angler is one who, as previously posted, is a responsible person, one who enjoys pitting himself, one to one, with his chosen species. Not for him (or her!) bivvies, bite alarms or bait boats. What "a true angler" does is use his watercraft to find his fish and then sits next to his rod, ever alert, to do battle!

[Wordbender]

I'm a true angler.

 

I'm true to my ideals, I truly enjoy my angling time, I truly try to understand that others have different ideals to mine, and most of all - I'm truly at peace with myself about the way I fish, what I get from it and what I give back.

 

Yup, it's all true - and so is my love for it.

[Newt]

Well Dang. According to Peter Waller, Nugg, and kleinboet, I guess I'm not a true angler. (And according to Nugg, Peter ain't neither.

 

Is it still OK for me to keep fishing guys? I surely do enjoy it.