Carp Fishing – A Different Sort Of Holiday
When I first met my husband, he was a keen fisherman, spending most weekends at local pools as he tried to find the catch of the day. This was almost thirty years ago, and fishing was popular then, but now, it has grown and grown beyond expectation. Partly due to the popularity of the television programme ‘Mortimer and Whitehouse Go Fishing’, which features comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse fishing at various locations across the country, the pastime has taken off in a big way. It is no longer seen as a sport just for men, with women and children now taking it up as a hobby.Β The Yorkshire Post reported that it is the UK’s biggest participation sport, and the sixth biggest sport overall (2016) making it seriously big business. But why is this the case?
It is easy to find the equipment you need
Once upon a time, you could only find your fishing equipment through specialised shops, and these were often expensive. The rise of the internet has seen the development of a whole online industry of fishing tackle suppliers. It is no longer difficult to find fishing gear for carp fishing for instance (one of the most popular types of fishing in the UK according to the fishing blog Fishing Bait World). A company like CPS Tackle actually specialise in carp fishing and its equipment, so you can find everything, including carp gear, tackle and bait, all in one place. The Warwickshire based company also has a superstore, which is heaven for carp fisherman.
You can take the whole family
In the days when my husband used to fish, it was strictly boys only. That is certainly no longer the case. Fishing is becoming a family affair, and that includes the girls as well as the boys. Just this last weekend, a friend of my son (aged 13) posted pictures on her Instagram account that showed her up and out at the crack of dawn to start fishing. Her angling skills have been developed since she started going fishing with her dad as a seven year old.
Fishing requires skill and concentration, so it is a great way to develop those skills in young minds, and is certainly healthier than spending the whole day in front of a Play Station.
You can combine it with a holiday in the UK
Fishing can now be combined with your traditional UK family holiday, with many camping and caravan sites now having their own lakes and pools that can be used to fish. Devon and Norfolk are popular destinations, with Cofton Fishing Lodges in Devon offering a deluxe experience complete with log cabins with hot tubs, a gym and swimming pool, and, of course, a fishing tackle shop on site.
Beautiful scenery this the best of both worlds, as you are able to holiday and fish to your hearts content.
Relaxation
In our busy, modern world, fishing is a way to escape from the pressures of everyday life and to truly relax. On the few occasions I accompanied my husband I was struck by the peace and quiet of the setting, how it seemed like you were miles from anywhere and could just forget about everything, even if only for a few hours.