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Viewing 1 to (31 Total) Footbridges |
Total Posts: 130
Joined: February 26, 2016
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Years ago when we all used to carry very little gear, a one or two plank footbridge across a ditch or stream was the norm.
The older anglers at the time probably found them a challenge, we young ones did not!
How things have changed!
Today with all the gear we carry, a trolley seems to be a ''must have'' for a lot of anglers..
When, as I am, you get into the higher age bracket, it is no fun to reach a footbridge and have to unload the trolley and carry everything across.
I would love to see wherever possible, footbridges wide enough to pull any trolley across, without the need to unload it.
A bonus would be raised edges so that a trolley wheel cannot slip over the edge.
Just my thoughts on an ideal footbridge!
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Posted on September 4, 2020 at 9:38 AM
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Total Posts: 196
Joined: June 14, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Or do as we did years ago, take just what you need and leave the kitchen sink and the trolley behind, can't believe the amount of stuff some people take these days. If you think you 'might need it' you probably don't need it. 
Posted on September 4, 2020 at 8:38 PM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Agreed, the amount of gear some take is astonishing, no way would a fraction be actually needed. I contuinually scale down what I take to the bank, and it really is liberating, if I want to move swims I don't need Pickfords, and packing up is done in a couple of seconds. I take a folding stool with a mat wrapped around, quiver with one or two rods with Drennan handle and fold up net, a bucket for bits and bait and sometimes a bait Fox waist belt.
Chairs like most I have a few, but for short sessions I find fold up stools with a back support to be better for the posture, and a better more upright position to manage the rods, resting the rod butt on the thigh for example. If the bank terrain is uneven I sit on the mat.
Trouble is if you are at all concerned about image its not for you, and lets face it image is the biggest overriding factor for many.
Posted on September 5, 2020 at 8:57 AM
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Total Posts: 130
Joined: February 26, 2016
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Re: Footbridges
I agree most of us could take less tackle, but we don't.
Easy for barbel anglers, not so easy for match anglers.
However, why anyone would conclude carrying a lot of tackle is for ''image'' is just weird!
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 6:11 AM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
It's all about image with tackle these days, and you say its easy for Barbel anglers and not match anglers? This is perhaps why we don't attract the youngsters to our sport, the cost of gear is horrendous, if you don't want to look like a complete plonker in a match, you just have to have a barrow, several rods and expensive carbon poles. That amounts to thousands of pounds, and beyond most. Wouldnt it be good to have matches that are limited to just one method? Actually I believe there might be, but float only, feeder or pole?
You assume Barbel anglers don't take loads of gear, I can assure you many do, and tackle image is so important for many, but of course keeping it simple stupid (KISS) is the way to go ...not at all weird when you think about it, and at least you might be able to negotiate a simple footbridge and just fish.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 9:05 AM
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Total Posts: 407
Joined: June 10, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
I've fished club matches for nearly 40 years now....back in the days when we fished rivers it was a carry it yourself job, and I could even climb stiles with it all on my back. Not a chance of that now, my box alone I can hardly pick up, and it all has to be loaded on a trolley, and even that takes effort to push. As 1LC says, quite a few barbel anglers take mountains of gear, I can carry mine, but for long walks I use a small barrow like trolley, as carrying my gear can trigger my niggly pain in the arse heart condition off. It's actually quite nice on some venues, i can move swims with ease, with made up rods on the top all nice and secure.
JC
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 9:12 AM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
I understand John, that someone like your self do have needs for 'wheels' I too perhaps, but the sheer joy of taking minimum kit for me is what it's all about, mind you there are times when I wished I brought such and such, but that's the price you pay.
I fish a new water on the Avon, and it really is a match club, all the members are of a certain age, that is over 60 and beyond, and they all have identical barrows, and carry a huge amount of gear, and for some not to weigh in at all and the best is often just a couple of pounds. My point is why don't we liberate ourselves from this nonsense and limit what we can actually take? One waggler rod and one feeder rod and or a whip perhaps, that would open up these events to many more anglers both young and old, and would be a great leveller.
You see on the telly these matches that have anglers with maybe thee made up feeder rods poles and float gear, tonnes of bait and other kit, of course many are sponsored, it is a long way from the like of Ivan Marks and co back when these events were open to every Tom Dick and Harry, of course the only reason for it is the tackle trade. To compete with these guy's for the average angler is impossible.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 10:34 AM
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Total Posts: 663
Joined: May 30, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
There are already one method matches out there.I’ll use the KDAA float only league at Bewdley as an example.Despite it being float only there is still potentially the need to have 3 or 4 rods set up if you seriously want to compete.Firstly you don’t know what peg you will draw and how deep/pacy it is until you get to it so straight away that could cancel one method you hoped to use.When you get there you might also fish the pole/whip for the perch or for the bleak,then you’ve got your stick float line and also the waggler or bolo line.You have all these set up ready for speed as if you are messing about for 20 minutes every time you want to change your method then you will lose too much time.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 1:42 PM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Stu, here lies the problem with all the variables and the different gear you advocate to fish a peg. With just one rod will cover all aspects, so maybe a 13 foot or so waggler rod should be the only choice?
A one rod only rule.
Float only stick or waggler.
It's what pleasure anglers do all the time.
This way it just might get more interested in giving match fishing a go.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 2:09 PM
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Total Posts: 663
Joined: May 30, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Not sure it’s going to make a difference to youngsters match fishing as the youngsters coming through just want to carp fish and sit in a bivvy and they carry twice as much gear as any matchman
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 2:35 PM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
But how do you know? An organisation like BAA really need to reach out to the kids, otherwise subs will continue to fall, you are an executive member, and I guess you are probably the youngest member, I know the average age of the Club match angler is probably older than me, and also the 'pleasure' ;anglers too are no Spring chickens either.
Like it or lump it we need fresh blood.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 6:42 PM
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Total Posts: 42
Joined: January 31, 2019
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Re: Footbridges
Even predominantly as a pleasure river angler, if I’ve got even a modest walk I take a small barrow. Surely it’s up to the individual as what they decide to carry and how to carry it. Don’t class myself as a “tackle tart” but it’s up to me what’s in or on my barrow.
Nothing to do with anyone else - each to their own
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 6:54 PM
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Total Posts: 663
Joined: May 30, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
We have tried every year with different ideas to get more kids involved,because I totally agree new blood essential but there are two main problems which crop up every time.Firstly the amount of red tape restricting potential tutors and the other is the parents who 9 times out of 10 can’t be arsed to drop them off and don’t want to make any commitments.It’s the same story every year,unless there is a family member already interested in fishing it’s very difficult for these reasons to get the kids involved.You have no idea what work goes on behind the scenes to try and make events to attract the kids in happen.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 7:56 PM
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Total Posts: 663
Joined: May 30, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Just to add also,I agree with Paul,it’s up to me if I want to take a barrow full of gear when I go fishing,couldn’t give a crap what brand it is and how I look using it,if I think I might need it I’ll take it then it’s my own fault if I’m struggling to get it over fences
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 8:03 PM
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Total Posts: 373
Joined: August 21, 2018
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Re: Footbridges
I find it odd that any one can compare barbel fishing with either match or pleasure fishing . I would of thought it was all about what you enjoy doing . If you want to spend a few pounds on tackle or a couple of hundred pounds .Then that is your choice .
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 8:52 PM
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Total Posts: 407
Joined: June 10, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Barbel fishing IS pleasure fishing!!
I do it because I enjoy it.
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 10:10 PM
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Total Posts: 42
Joined: January 31, 2019
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Re: Footbridges
100% agree with JC
I also believe that angling is one of the few sports that success is not solely down to the amount of money you spend on gear
Posted on September 7, 2020 at 10:29 PM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
The amount of gear and the cost is a huge influence on many anglers, it is more a factor these days then I can ever remember. Barrows are a ridiculous example of all this mayhem, even seen electric ones at Kempsey whilst the owner ridiculed my lack of gear I brought, he set up three rods bivvy with all the trappings, and blanked, swearing that the stretch was crap, and would never return, he didn't. If course if there is a real need for the things then fine, but They are just another fad imo. Need to take the shackles off, leave such things to the missus and her shopping.
Posted on September 8, 2020 at 12:30 PM
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Total Posts: 663
Joined: May 30, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
We have a chap in our clubs who uses an electric trolley as he has breathing difficulties,is his lung disease just a fad?As Johnny said above even if he’s pleasure fishing he takes a trolley,as do many others just to make life easier,doesn’t affect your day does it if an angler chooses to use a trolley/barrow?
Posted on September 8, 2020 at 4:22 PM
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Total Posts: 161
Joined: October 22, 2015
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Re: Footbridges
Here we go again, another set of meaningless posts from Negative Neil AKA 1LC. It's a personal choice if anglers want to use a trolley / barrow to carry gear. If you want to travel light to fish then fine, do that, but don't have a go at anglers who want to do things different to you. It's not a case of an " image " thing to carry more tackle than you, it's up to that individual, let's hope your next post has a more sensible content than your usual crap.
Posted on September 8, 2020 at 6:59 PM
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