ANGLING BRINGS CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD
One of anglings greatest gifts is the connection that participants enjoy with nature. As anglers we are privileged to witness many wonders of the natural world. Last week I spent a day fishing on Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. Our target species was pike that grow large in this vast rich lake. It was the hottest May Day on record and not the day we would have chosen but having booked a boat in advance we proceeded ensuring that we had plenty of water and sunscreen. The fishing proved hard going with just four small pike tempted by our large flies.
A highlight of the day was an encounter with a juvenile grass snake that was swimming across the lake. I lifted the snake from the water and admired it before slipping it back into the lake hoping it would survive as it seemed to be extremely vulnerable with so many potential predators in the vicinity. Dragonflies and damsel flies fluttered over the mirror calm lake and bird song filled the air.
Each day at the water’s edge has the potential to bring exciting encounters with the world around. I have witnessed whales, otters, kingfishers, foxes, osprey, deer, nightjar, eagles, crocodiles, scorpions, moose, witnessed lunar eclipses, comets in dark star studded skies, spectacular sunsets, misty dawns and many more phenomena. Not to mention the many fish that are the target of the day. Whilst I could have seen some of this without a rod and line it is for me the tactile connection with that unseen world beneath the surface that seals the deal.
It is for this reason that many anglers are passionate conservationists who get involved with campaigns for cleaner rivers and nature friendly farming practices.
