The bloggers challenger’s dilemma ………..?

Cast my net wider....?

I’ve been thinking of late whether I should cast my net wider so to speak as I’m sure I’m limiting the size of the fish I catch, I generally fish within a 20 mile drive from my house, in-fact the majority of my fishing is less than 10 minutes by car so more like 5 or 6 miles I suppose. With a young family my available fishing time is precious so to maximise my banktime obviously local venues are beneficial. During my double figure Zander challenge a couple of places I fished were 17 miles away and It felt odd driving that far especially when my PB came from a stretch of the cut less than 10 minutes away. Maybe I’m not as dedicated as some specialist anglers are despite really enjoying my fishing.

A 5lb Chub for example, I know the Avon contain them as I’ve seen them but at the moment it’s the monkey on my back, I’ve literally caught hundreds of the buggers but yet to reach that milestone, hopefully this winter maybe but I’m sure there are easier ways to cross it off my list. I know they are there top be caught, Baz Peck doesn't seem to have an issue and our paths have crossed from time to time. But then I think to myself maybe it’s more of a challenge catching specimens from local waters, Crucians for example, there are limited places in Warwickshire to fish for them but having spent hours and hours fishing for a decent one I eventually caught a 2lber and actually punched the air in jubilation. In the Marsh farm scheme of things a 2lber is a bit pathetic, but then Marsh farm is 120 miles away.

I think what keeps my interest in localised fishing is the angling press and social media, In February this year for example an article cropped up about Mark Mole who had been fishing the River Blythe in Meriden and had Chub to over 5lb. I’d fished the Blythe a few times, albeit not this stretch and it was my sort of venue, small, diminutive and ideal for me as a roving angler. The problem is I tend to fish the same areas and I suspect I need to start visiting new places and to be honest after catching the same Chub 5 or 6 times I’m not sure why I haven’t.

Baz Peck's 5lb 9oz Chub, which has been caught at 6lb 4oz in late winter.

When I started blogging I did reveal probably more than I should about the areas I fish but of late I’ve tended to keep people guessing, why should I do all the hardwork for someone to capitalise on my limited success. The fellow bloggers I’ve met I’ve shared information and they have returned the favour, but I scratch your back, and you scratch mine. I get a least a couple of emails a week from the lazy asking probing questions, I ignore them in the main, just get out there and do what I do.

Mark Moles 5lb 7oz Blythe Chub

Fishing for me is a pastime and a hobby; I’m obviously not cut out as a big fish chaser, more someone who enjoys catching a variety of fish and happy with relative mediocrity, but then I’ve caught double figure Barbel, near 3lb Perch, half decent Canal Zander, so maybe Warwickshire isn’t that bad after all. I’m sure there is a 2lb Roach in the Stour and Jesus what was that I hooked in to and lost, I need to find out. I'm still puzzled why there are so many bloggers in the midlands, maybe it's in the water, who knows, but more the merrier.

After all that and the more I think about it I’m here to stay….here's to mediocrity