Hi All,
Whilst lurking on Fishing Magic, I read that Ron Clay opened up a thread called, "the barbel police". Predictably, some others came in including the site owner. One even told other to come to this site as there were loads of barbel policemen on this site. Fortunately, Johnty went straight in and put that guy right.
Anyway, I am a barbel angler. Have been since 1973 and a barbel only angler for quite some years. So, just who are these "Barbel Police"?
Last Christmas, I went to a fish in on the River Kennet. A BCC bash as it happens. I was actually first to arrive followed as I was getting my tackle out of the car by the Southern RO.
Anyway, he saw the reel on my rod and just like that Harry Enfield character said, "you dont want to use that reel, you want to use this one". I was then shown his purpose made centre pin reel.
A few minutes later, another RO arrived, parked near to my car, got out opened up his boot and actually went through a variety of tweed type hats trying on each one in turn before deciding on a particular one. My woolie number paled into insignificance with the "hatters" collection.
The rain poured down all day long and I sat for most of it under my umbrella. The "hattist" came along during a particular heavy downfall and tugged on my umbrella saying, "oh an umbrella! I havn't used one of those for over five years now". No mate I thought to myself, and I havn't got soaking wet through like you for over five years either.
I was particularly puzzled as well by some of those guys using centre pin reels with 2-3oz leads on their lines. I was holding bottom perfectly well with only half an ounce on mine.
Any type of rod rests are also considered bad form by some as well.
It was well known, because I did not try to hide the fact, that on my river, I used two rods and employed buzzers. Holly Mother of God! I was as popular as a condom machine in a nunnery.
Now I dont have a problem with buzzers or two rods. At the same time, I dont have a problem with cane rods or centre pin reels, one rod or half a rod. Each to their own in any style of fishing they choose to employ. Frankly, I could care less what others do so long as the fish are looked after and their methods are legal.
But why is it then, that some take every oportunity to instill their practises on others?
Are these infact "the barbel police"?
Regards,
Lee.
Whilst lurking on Fishing Magic, I read that Ron Clay opened up a thread called, "the barbel police". Predictably, some others came in including the site owner. One even told other to come to this site as there were loads of barbel policemen on this site. Fortunately, Johnty went straight in and put that guy right.
Anyway, I am a barbel angler. Have been since 1973 and a barbel only angler for quite some years. So, just who are these "Barbel Police"?
Last Christmas, I went to a fish in on the River Kennet. A BCC bash as it happens. I was actually first to arrive followed as I was getting my tackle out of the car by the Southern RO.
Anyway, he saw the reel on my rod and just like that Harry Enfield character said, "you dont want to use that reel, you want to use this one". I was then shown his purpose made centre pin reel.
A few minutes later, another RO arrived, parked near to my car, got out opened up his boot and actually went through a variety of tweed type hats trying on each one in turn before deciding on a particular one. My woolie number paled into insignificance with the "hatters" collection.
The rain poured down all day long and I sat for most of it under my umbrella. The "hattist" came along during a particular heavy downfall and tugged on my umbrella saying, "oh an umbrella! I havn't used one of those for over five years now". No mate I thought to myself, and I havn't got soaking wet through like you for over five years either.
I was particularly puzzled as well by some of those guys using centre pin reels with 2-3oz leads on their lines. I was holding bottom perfectly well with only half an ounce on mine.
Any type of rod rests are also considered bad form by some as well.
It was well known, because I did not try to hide the fact, that on my river, I used two rods and employed buzzers. Holly Mother of God! I was as popular as a condom machine in a nunnery.
Now I dont have a problem with buzzers or two rods. At the same time, I dont have a problem with cane rods or centre pin reels, one rod or half a rod. Each to their own in any style of fishing they choose to employ. Frankly, I could care less what others do so long as the fish are looked after and their methods are legal.
But why is it then, that some take every oportunity to instill their practises on others?
Are these infact "the barbel police"?
Regards,
Lee.
....john.w.
