Gary Strachan and his son Harry enjoyed a 36 hour session at Anglers Paradise’s Day Ticket Fatboy’s Lake where they banked 12 carp too 14lb. All of the fish were in immaculate condition and caught using 12 -mm pop ups. This was a welcome return to angling for Gary who has found his love of the sport rekindled with the opportunity to share fishing trips with his son. Gary commented to me on how the amount of gear carp anglers now carry contrasts to his younger days when you would take; “a flask, some sandwiches, a sleeping bag and perhaps a plastic sheet depending on the time of year? Fast forward 50 years and two trips with the carp barrow to set up. Yes it’s more comfortable without a doubt, but is it really that much more enjoyable?

I guess the essence still remains though perhaps its has all become a little formulaic with many anglers following a text book approach. I doubt it would seem more enjoyable if you turned the clock back to use those floppy old fibre glass carp rods and sun loungers that collapse as your trying to sleep. I recall with fondness camping in a pub car park close to the River Thames. I climbed into my tent after a visit to the pub and my sun lounger collapsed in a tangle of aluminium frames and canvas. Strange how looking back there is always a sense that things were better but I suspect thats just the joy and enthusiasm of youth.