Mr Crabtree goes fishing — Again!

Image via Wikipedia

And now by way of a change, for some light relief (and a modicum of self-indulgence), it’s time for a little fishing. Last week my attention was drawn to some angling nostalgia via Twitter, the name Mr. Crabtree suddenly invoked numerous childhood fishing memories…

Most anglers in the UK, over a certain age and passionate about their sport, can’t have escaped knowing that Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing, if they did, they missed out on the wonderous tales, at least for a child, which ultimately inspired a generation to go fishing. There can be few anglers, who were brought up in the 50s and 60s, who weren’t influenced by the adventures of Mr Crabtree and his son Peter. Indeed, I was immediately consumed by a tide of childhood fishing memories which came floating back.

Mr. Crabtree Goes Fishing: A Guide in Pictures to Fishing Round the Year

Recollections of wandering along the river bank in the morning mist, with my split cane float road and a hand-me-down centre-pin reel, whilst looking for a prime spot. Sitting by a clump of rushes munching on my cheese sandwiches, my eyes firmly fixed on the homemade quill float bobbing up and down in the ripple of the stream. Waiting for that exciting moment when it plunged to the depths of the river, hopefully because of a fish taking the worm.

But it didn’t matter if that sudden indication was due to a snag in the river bed, or some piece of partially submerged debris or rotting vegetation. No, the fun and relaxation was being at one with the countryside and nature. Listening to the birds in nearby bushes, or the rumble and clanking of a farmers tractor in the fields across the opposite river bank, whilst experiencing the warmth of the sun break through the morning mist and creat sparkling patterns in the surface of the river.

Catching fish was almost, but not quite, ancillary to the overall ambiance and experiences of the day. There were many days then, and still a few since, when I’ve trudged home slightly despondent due to a lack of sporting ‘action’ however; any time spent fishing is better than working. It always brings a broad smile to my face.

The very personification of the perfect fisher-father. Every boy dreamed of being in Peter’s boots, of being taken to the riverbank, to a pre-baited swim, to fish for “Glass-Case” specimens with this master angler. These experiences are as real and relevant to today’s angler as they were when Mr Crabtree first appeared in the Daily Mirror, and later in book form in “Mr Crabtree goes fishing” (1950)…(amazon.co.uk)

Regular readers of The Angler’s Mail will already be aware, the story of Mr. Crabtree is set to reappear on TV screens soon. John Bailey a UK angler, writer, and photographer is to present a new TV series created in homage to the late Bernard Venables and the legacy of Mr. Crabtree (see here). The search is also now on to find a modern-day ‘Peter’ to star in the new TV show (see here).

Childhood memories of Mr Crabtree also made my mind wander to other angling nostalgia, characters like the author and 1960′s TV presenter Jack Hargreaves (a friend of Venables). He was probably best known as the gentle-voiced presenter of the weekly magazine programme Out of Town, which followed the success of his 1959 television debut with the B&W series Gone Fishing. Hargreaves loved angling and was concerned at that; due to ”sociological, technical and financial” reasons, angling had become tribalised by class and species. He wrote “Fishing for a Year” which was published in 1951 and argued ”for regression” – the pursuit of different fish, in separate places and varied methods throughout the licensed seasons.

More recently my fishing memories were enhanced by the angling career and writings of Chris Yates, another man with a true Passion for Angling - his love of fishing was turned into a much acclaimed series by the same name for the BBC. Chris, a record holder in Carp fishing, along with another famous angler, Bob James, took us on a wonderous fishing adventure across Britain. The voiceover to the series by Bernard Cribbins still hums through my ears…

It’s through the dreaming eyes of childhood that most of us are captured by a passion for angling.

The greatest series of films ever made on fishing. The magic of Hugh Miles’ photography and the contrast between Bob James and Chris Yates captured anglers and non-anglers alike…(Angling Times 2003)

Going further back in time than Chris Yates or even Mr Crabtree, the 17th century English writer Izaak Walton was probably one of the first to write about angling as a pastime. His book The Compleat Angler was first published in 1653, but Walton continued to add to it for a quarter of a century. It was and is a celebration of the art and spirit of fishing in prose and verse, one that many have heard of but few have actually read.

All this passion for the sport, although centuries later, was the obvious inspiration for the production of a similarly named film (see below). The Complete Angler documents the adventures of an American student and angling enthusiast, who visits England to follow in the footsteps of Walton.

I hope this bit of angling nostalgia has in some way explained my drive and desire to go fishing, along with illustrating how it has influenced my love of the sport… Tight Lines!

Related articles

• Cerys Matthews hooked on angling (thesun.co.uk)
• Buying your first fishing rod. (ladiesfishing.co.uk)

Fisherman’s Arms: The Castaways?

Castaway Island

I look forward to Sunday’s, despite the fact I’m actually working. It’s that regular weekly couple of hours of social observation at the Fisherman’s Arms that appeal. The usual small gang sits at the bar, they have a few beers and discuss news, social issues and generally offer up differing opinions on all manner of things from the past week, and often life as a whole. Sometimes debate can become a little heated but in the main, it’s mostly friendly differences of opinion, often interlaced with a good measure of humour and/or cynicism.

The good thing about Sunday afternoons is the spontaneity of it, there’s no prior or preconceived topic of conversation. It’s wholly dependant upon who’s there, their level of intellect and experience or knowledge about the subjects which have grabbed individual interest or created angst. The value of the session is greatly enhanced if participants are passionate and opinionated about the topics up for discussion, whatever they may be.

I’ve always admired people who have an opinion, and the ability to espouse that opinion to others. Just so long as it’s based upon fact or educated observation, and not simply formulated out of blind alliance to a particular corporate or party line. That or, inherited from some misguided sense of family honour or even worse, simply little more than gossip. Informed debate is an important part of our social structure however, it’s also important that those involved in the debate, actually posses the ability to accept the opinion and views of another, irrespective of whether or not they agree with them.

One of the interesting/exciting aspects of the process (our Sunday gang) is the often random nature of the conversation and debate. Each week there is generally one particular topic or subject matter that emerges as the focal point of the afternoon. In addition there is also usually a ‘facilitator’ directing or driving the conversation, mainly because of the individual level of interest and/or knowledge.

This week it was that old sociological ‘castaway’ experiment… Facilitated by Rab the group’s socially observant philosophical Teuchter… “You are going to be marooned on a desert island and you have five minutes to choose three companions to take with you” he nonchalantly and wryly retorted. He took a mouthful of beer, smiled mischievously and continued; “They can be anyone you like, real or fictional, living or dead, famous or not but they can’t be family members and you have to explain why you’ve chosen them.”

Rab Crusoe led with his band of three and then turned to each member of the group in turn to offer up their selections, a process which also generated further debate. As if the spontaneous selection process wasn’t difficult enough, any initial choice made was then subject to an element of adjustment in your mind, mainly because of listening to the reasoning behind the selections of others. That and wanting to choose differently to your peers. Do I choose an inspirational leader or simply someone who has had a personal impact on me? Do I choose out of admiration for their values or achievements? Do I try to choose differently or simply select one of those already mentioned but add why it was ‘my’ choice?

One of my first choices had been Nelson Mandela however, as he had already been one of Rab’s choices, and obviously not wanting to copy, irrespective of the differing reasons for selection, I made a hasty adjustment. When it got around to my turn I came up with (was left with) the following list… But not necessarily in this order and, whether or not my list would be exactly the same next week, next month or in a year’s time is another matter!

• Bob Marley - Music has always been an important part of my life and reggae is a favourite genre. In addition, Robert Nesta Marley was something of a philosopher and observer of many of life’s ills and social failures, a factor illustrated in many of his lyrics. Arguably, his unusual and non mainstream religious following of Rastafari, which mostly rejects modern western society, calling it “Babylon” and totally corrupt, could be taken by many as extremely prophetic.
• Jamie Oliver - This cheeky Essex lad, who’s parents were also publicans like mine, has used his fame in various ways to help others. He has attempted to improve unhealthy diets and poor cooking habits in the United Kingdom and the United States. His Fifteen Foundation – mission is to inspire disadvantaged youth, including those with drug or alcohol problems, the unemployed and the homeless – has helped many to believe in themselves and the possibility of becoming chefs. He is a reasonably good drummer, I also share his love of Italian cuisine, as well as admiring the international diversity of his cooking ability.
• Billy Connolly - A big man from humble beginnings, well-known for his observational comedy which is often idiosyncratic and off-the-cuff, a type of humour that appeals to me. It obviously doesn’t appeal to all as the outraged voiced by certain PC sectors of society would evidence. That said, his musical ability and social observations skills, both at home and abroad, in TV shows such as his World Tour of Scotland and Journey to the Edge of the World, have been both enlightening and humourous. I’m particularly looking forward to his travels along Route 66 in the USA.

After the ‘experiment’ Rab alluded to similar social trials performed in the past… It was interesting to note that in the main, when audiences contained both genders (our group was all male), females had a tendency to select at least one person who could loosely be refered to as eye candy in descriptive terms. Read into that what you will but I formulated an opinion, although perhaps not the same as yours.

Who are your social companions on the desert island of philosophical castaways and why?