Should your eyes ever leave the lake?
Do your eyes ever leave the lake or have you been known to read a book, newspaper, watch TV or a DVD whilst fishing?
Yes, my eyes certainly leave the lake at times, I’ll admit that straight away. There’s a big difference between your eyes leaving the water and becoming distracted, though, and I spend as much time as possible or necessary watching the water. These days it is very rare for me to do anything other than look out at the lake. I do have the odd late night gander at the social media platforms on my phone, but that’s about as far as it goes. I also have the odd piece of work to do whilst on the bank and I take my laptop for that, because I have to, not because I want to!
There’s a big difference between your eyes leaving the water and becoming distracted
I really enjoy my time on the bank, so when I’m fishing, I’m fishing, not reading or watching DVD’s. There’s something pretty special about being outside and seeing what we do as anglers, and I love that side of it. On top of nature’s pleasures, you also have the fishing time, and I lap it all up, trying to stay up late without distraction for as long as possible. I’m all up for a chit chat with other anglers, though, and if I’m going to be distracted by anything then I’d rather it be that.
“When I was younger I used to do a lot of reading on the bank, I watched a few DVD’s from time to time, and always had the radio on. My fishing has changed though and these days I’m a lot more intense – the days absolutely fly by as it is, without the DVD player. I love the chase and I’d rather watch the water than TV. I watched the Man Utd vs Man City derby last weekend using the SkyGo app on my phone, but that couldn’t be missed so rather than staying at home or going up the pub I took the footy to the lake!
The less distracted you are, the more you will absorb, that’s how I look at it.