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Angling: The ‘Gentleman’ in Red
Unlike Jan, I never had any desire for the match scene or competitive angling, apart from the odd side bet of a beer between angling buddies, awarded for the best fish of the day. Jan was in fact a very succesful national and international match angler in his time. For me it has always been about the simple pleasures of the sport. Being at one with nature and relaxing by a gently flowing river our serene lake in our beautiful countryside.
It has always been about the process of fishing which has been my driver for the sport, rather than the end results of my pescatorial pursuits. As long as each day produces at least one worthwhile memory, be it one big fish or just observing wildlife going about their daily business. Like Jan and many others, my love of fishing is all about a passion for angling!
Jan was recently featured in the gofishing.co.uk Life in Angling series where the celebrities and legends of our sport offer their views on fishing.
Jan Porter has done it all. In a successful career spanning several decades, he has run his own tackle shop, been one of the most noticeable figures on the match angling scene and even put together an impressive personal-best list of specimen fish. He remains just as passionate about angling today as he was as a child and that’s all without even mentioning his ‘failed’ Rock Star status (his choice of words not mine).
Like every other piece of his that I’ve seen before, on TV or via YouTube, he remains articulate, informative and a pleasure to listen to. An excellent ambassador for our sport and a consummate gentleman.
As Jan explains in the video clips (above and below); once the ‘passion’ has grabbed hold it will never leave you, it may falter for brief periods throughout your life but it will always be there!
If the drive he needs to fight his illness is as strong as his love for fishing, I feel sure he will be back on the bank again very soon, enjoying his sport and relaxation… Good health mate!
Related articles
- Angling: catching the dream (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
- Angling: Crimestoppers float new Crime Prevention initiative (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
Angling: Crimestoppers float new Crime Prevention initiative
Like any business area today, angling isn’t immune from the cut-throat requirements of supply demand and profit margins, all of which are compounded where any element of greed exists…
So, during difficult times of mass unemployment, austerity and reduced personal income all crime tends to increase, non more so than opportunist theft. Whilst some empathise with the misery of others, there will always be those happy to quickly seize upon any opportunity for some easy pickings.
These opportunities can and do turn previously honest people into criminals and as I’ve already said, even angling isn’t immune from these hard times. The impact of criminal behaviour upon angling should be the cause of real concern amongst all those who fish!
With this in mind, Crimestoppers the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) “working in partnership” (I hate that bloody term) have set up a new initiative, one that is designed to combat the main crime issues which are placing the enjoyment of angling under threat.
You can help to combat these crimes by taking more responsibility for your sport and providing information on illegal activity. With your help we can then target the right people: the ring leaders, the organisers, the individuals who stand to make the biggest profits – those with no care or interest in your sport or the welfare of the animals…(FHI)
The four key areas in question are:
- Smuggling fish from abroad
- Illegal fish movements between waters
- Fish theft and poaching
- Tackle theft
Fish smuggling & illegal movements: there are problems surrounding the illegal import and export of live fish, not least the health risks to our native stocks. It is why the system of authorisation and registration for farms and fisheries exists and they are required to be licensed.
Fish theft & poaching:
Tackle theft: it’s increasing at an alarming rate, as reports in the angling press and comments on internet angling forums attests. In spite of that, many anglers don’t give security a second thought.Some anglers store thousands of pounds worth of fishing tackle in flimsy garden sheds – only secured by a cheap padlock. In addition, people have been known to be followed home from matches only to find their gear has been stolen after the fact.
Thieves can easily break into poorly secured sheds and garages. Thieves and organised criminals with knowledge of angling dispose of stolen tackle through the internet and car boot sales, selling it at a fraction of its true value.
Remember; It’s always better to try to prevent crime and not to be a victim in the first place. This is why Crimestoppers have recently started their new crime prevention initiative for angling.
Christmas Comes Early for Angling
The Angling Trust has welcomed today’s announcement from Sport England about securing £1.8 million in funding over the next four years…
The cash will be used for specific programmes of work to increase participation in angling, a sporting pastime that results in so many undoubted benefits for our society and environment.
This award will continue to support the infrastructure of 1,400 coaches, 35 County Angling Action Groups and 91 Club mark-accredited clubs. As part of the National Angling Strategy launched this year – Fishing For Life – the Trust will be working with others to maximise the social and economic benefits of going fishing.
There is a huge amount of work to do to grow angling participation, and it needs to be done at a very large-scale to have an impact…(Mark Lloyd – CEO Angling Trust)
The Angling Trust will use Sport England’s funding to:
- Support angling clubs and fisheries through its Club Fish national development programme to offer participation programmes over the four-year period
- Focus on older and disabled anglers through the Let’s Fish group angling programme, delivered by Angling Champions at partner fisheries.
- Establish a club and fishery competition framework at national, regional and county level to reward regular participation across all disciplines, age groups and abilities.
Sport England is also providing £138,000 to support up to 800 talented young anglers at regional and national level across the disciplines of game, coarse and sea angling.
Note: The Angling Trust is recognised by Sport England as the National Governing Body for angling in England. It is also the representative body for angling and is supported by nearly 1,500 clubs and more than 15,000 individual anglers and works closely with partner organisations like the Environment Agency. The Angling Trust can be contacted by telephone on +44 (0)1568 620447 or e-mail admin@anglingtrust.net
Related articles
- Angling: catching the dream (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
- Angling: Time for some #CrabtreeKit (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
- Fishing in the Footsteps of Mr Crabtree ~ Book Review (theriverangler.wordpress.com)
