Winter Chub Fishing on a Small River

It might seem like a strange hobby for a vegetarian and animal lover, but fishing means a lot to me. Part of it is nostalgia. I started fishing with my dad when I was about five and carried on until my mid-twenties, before taking a 25-year break. Being back by the water brings those memories with it. Fishing is also a way to understand fish and nature more closely. To catch them you have to learn about their behaviour and habitat, and you end up spending long, quiet hours on a riverbank noticing things most people miss. Anglers also act as the eyes and ears of rivers and lakes. Most care deeply about the health of the fish and rivers, and are often the first to report pollution or other problems. There’s still a tension in it for me, and I’m aware of the contradiction. But when I weigh it all up, the positives outweigh the negatives. I only use barbless hooks, and tackle suitable for the targeted fish. I minimise the time spent out of water and return them as soon as I can. And if I’m honest, there’s also something ancient about it — a small echo of the hunter-gatherer instinct that’s still somewhere inside us. Thanks for watching. Steve. Fishing Tackle Used Drennan 12ft Specialist Avon Quiver 1 1/4lb Daiwa GS 3000 LTD Reel Drennan Specialist Compact 40L Fishing Rucksack