What is the future for British fly fishing?

Personally, I think that internet forums such as this one are going to have a much bigger influence. I suspect that the popularity of competition fishing may fall as a result. To me the competition scene anglers fall into two catagories: The serious competition angler who is really out to win and the social competition angler who's interest is not really in the winning, but in the social interaction with other anglers.

As forum meets or conclaves, as I believe they are called in the states, increase, it is possible that the social anglers will no longer need to enter competitions to fulfil their social angling needs.

Also, I detect that competitions are becoming less acceptable to anglers in general. It may be because of the more easily shared views and attitudes we can see on forums. Are the forums now having a greater influence than written publications that are competition centred? Are we moving to a more natural type of fishing because our voices are more easily heard?

I am not looking to have a bash at competition anglers. There are some great guys and mighty fine anglers in their ranks. What I am saying is that maybe competitions have just about had their day, and now we may be moving on to something different.

I suspect this will be a well followed topic Gander. Hopefully the toys will still be on elastics in their pram at the end of it.

I should say I can only comment on the wider topic from outside the competition scene as it's not an area I understand at all. Locally we're lucky in having a very open and dynamic social life, where fishing is just like a thread which weaves its' way in and out of a much more detailed life of shared activities. I've been to more parties, BBQs, and the like since I moved away from London. However I'd be surprised if one of the wives didn't come up to any 'grupetto' of chatting blokes and (correctly) say 'you're not talking fishing again are you?'. The stock response is something like 'no, mortgages' or a similar but obvious lie .

I think what the forum and conclave idea promotes is the breaking down of barriers, the opening up of what could be quite cliquey groups and adding a sense of belonging to a wider fraternity. It also adds the possibility of going fishing where I'd never have had the confidence or knowledge to do before and meeting people to whom I'd previously have just said a simple hello on the bank or shore.

Except when boat fishing I still fish alone by the water, even when I go with a group, but I'll make sure I bring the camera so I can take a photo of the fish, I wouldn't have bothered without the internet. In the back of my mind is the possibility of catching something inspirational others will be able to see and go 'fair play to him, I hope I catch something that nice next time' or just admire for the sheer beauty of the fish or scene. There's also the aspiration of tying a fly which works, looks good enough to share with others and improve with their feedback. I'm less likely to buy a **** piece of tackle now as it'll be up here or advised against if I ask. I also have a longer term view of persisting with the fly in other areas such as the sea and estuary.

As long as the handbags don't keep coming out, I don't know if forum activity will lessen the activity on the water for competitions. If anything it will bring it to more people and lure the poor buggers into having a go. After all now those who would never have guessed such an aspect of the sport existed will see it. I would caution against having hissy-fit sessions as they had recently, but it's a new aspect to their sport so maybe the etiquette is just bedding-down.

I've learned much more about conservation efforts and issues affecting our sport than I could have from the mags, they just don't give the feedback in the same way. This has led me to being much more active in trying to help out locally.

No single conclusion here, but it's definitely been a very positive influence on my fishing so far.

I think that the fora have a big role to play. I have learned a lot since participating due to the general willingness of good anglers to share their knowledge and in particular the step by step fly tying posts are absolutely priceless.

On the bad side I used to think that I could never meet an angler that I wouldn't like. I regret to say that there are a few on the forum that I would possibly not put on my Christmas card list but they are far far outweighed by the others with whom I would love to spend a night in a pub.

I am also guilty of misjudging some from the occasional stroppy post but reading more of their posts has revealed decent guys under the initial balshy facade.

For anyone seeking knowledge or information the fora should be the first port of call.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

It's an interesting point Gander. I think angling attitudes and outlooks change with every generation. If you took a cross section of the FF community in the UK the percentage that use forums, have computer access or are even computer literate is a little hard to fathom.

I think alot of the older anglers would not be as computer literate as some of the trendy old codgers (over 45) on here. If your job is not office based then computer access is a problem. I think any medium of communication that can actively promote responsible catch and release and responsible watercraft is a positive especially in the competition scene on lakes with wild stock.

J.

I don't really see the correlation, Gander.

For me, the competition scene is anathema. I particularly dislike competitions on unstocked wild trout waters like the great Irish limestone loughs of the west.

I don't see why any changes to attitudes about such competitions would only be generated by internet fishing sites and not publications.

Sorry I have to agree I dont see how forums or any digital media at that would effect competition angling. Most comp entrants are part of a club or other organasation that has usually been started with a social aspect in mind.
A bit of healthy competition is good if you ask me and can only help in making the angler a better angler. I have gained a lot of practical fishing skills from competition anglers a have shared a boat. This is something that imho cant be gained from reading an artical on a web site.

I agree with Dovey. I think the internet has already had a significant effect and will continue to grow in influence, but I can't really see why it should reduce competition fishing. I think it is too simplistic to think that competition anglers are really seeking fishing company and that this can be substituted by social fishing events arranged over the internet. Competition clearly enjoy some very different aspects that are not present in non-competiton angling. I see no reason why that should change. In fact the internet may make competitions easier to organise and to find out about. I would guess that competition angling is more at risk if it does not aim for a more ethical image- less catch and kill and more catch and release for a start.

Most people are competitive to some degree by nature, others are proud to represent their country and this sometimes expresses itself in formal competition whether fishing or fly tying, national or international.

The fora will encourage more wild fishing but will not have any significant impact other than to facilitate more competitions. Another forum has even started its own competition.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

I think alot of the older anglers would not be as computer literate as some of the trendy old codgers (over 45) on here.

J.[/QUOTE]

You can call me anything in the world you want.
Over 45 - yes
Old Codger - definately

TRENDY - GIVE YOUR HED A SHEK !!!!!!!!!!!

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Les

Ahhhh the sheep are in the pen
****** it the're oot again ! (Burns)

I think forums pay a large part in the fly fishing world and they will continue to grow. Last time I bought Still Water Trout, I read it in 10 mins and its always a one-way street, you cant ask questions and this makes the forums so much more dynamic.

You can get up to the minute, very accurate and detailed info (magazine articles can be a year old), and I have changed venues on the morning of a trip, due to a post on here. This has made the day go from impossible fishing to excellent (I was on my way to Barcombe and went to Hanningfield instead, thanks to a post by Howard).

I have joined a fly tying class I wouldn't have known about, tackled tying a fair few flies in the step-by-steps, had near enough 100 PM's, swapped flies, and maybe will meet a few people from here this season.

All in all, I think this has made me even more anxious to fish and has broadened my horizons, hopefully I will also be giving the salt a go fairly soon.

Big thumbs up from me.

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