by Steve Sheppard
Angling is a tradition which has been practised for Centuries, from solely a means of putting food on the table to the sport and pastime we know today. So what’s in store for the anglers of tomorrow?
Let me take you into the future, a quiet tranquil riverbank, early morning sun low in the sky, fish rising to take the first of the unwary active flies. When out of the mist emerge a convoy of 4×4 electric powered shiny compact angling buggies, each one homes in on its allotted peg stabiliser legs level and secure the cocooned angler in the most advantageous position.
At the touch of a button, out shoots rod and line with the latest digitally enhanced umpteen million-pixel auto fly catch-fish device attached. A robot arm casts the fly which hovers inches over the water sending back pictures to a hand held combined phone, video player and camera with satellite link so you know the correct time anywhere, even Outer Mongolia.
When the selected species size and weight is identified, the fly dives into the water and with its humane sucker attachment secures the unfortunate creature. This sends a signal to the reel which then recovers the fish, the landing net is slipped out by an automatic arm and the fish is then deposited gently into a holding tank. Here it can be observed by the angler and pictures of his catch can be transmitted to family and friends whilst he relaxes in his upholstered air conditioned, sound proofed cabin with built in beer chilling cabinet, massage cushions, surround sound system and multi game consul.
I can hear you, far fetched, ridiculous. You mark my words, when the politicians, EU bureaucrats and nanny state do-gooders have finished, you will not even be able to walk near a riverbank. They will not allow you to go anywhere near rough ground close to water, not without an overhead gantry and safety harnesses. The use of sharp metal hooks will be banned, with the threat of custodial sentence for anyone flaunting the rules. As for repeatedly casting, no, no, no! Serious risk of RSI and we the anglers of today are laying the foundations for this.
How is this happening? Look at what seems to be the most important factor when buying tackle. How light is this rod, how many flashing lights, automatic functions and gadgetry has that reel got? Good grief, are we all seven stone weaklings so unfit we can’t use a rod weighing more than a feather? What happens when a light goes out in your super flashy shiny reel? You can’t get into the thing without smashing it with a ten pound lump hammer, so what do we do? Chuck it away and buy a new one which fuels the market to produce even shinier built in redundant tat.
We seem to have got lazy, losing the simple pleasures angling offers. The quest for ever more technology to do the tasks for us rules our way of thinking. Hey look, I am no dinosaur wanting a return to horse and carts. Technology is good and has improved all our lives but are we too dependant and brainwashed, it seems to have taken the pleasure out of our simple pursuits?
What’s wrong with using a beautifully crafted split cane rod, built from natural material that has had time, care, and soul lavished on its creation? Or using a handcrafted reel in burnished timber which glints in the sun? That gives you the satisfaction on those dark winter evenings of easily stripping down cleaning and maintaining whilst contemplating your next fishing trip. Hopefully the skill and precision that goes into producing such beautiful items will inspire us to search within ourselves and use the natural abilities and skills we all possess rather than the sterile clinical technology encouraged today.
But no, I suppose we will carry on using the latest high tech rod built from extruded chemical junk. But you say, and this is important, it was developed in the space program! WOW!! (Urm, but are there any fish in space?). And it glows in the dark. (I wonder why?). These products are produced by the million by some soulless machine, but hey, it’s really light, and the latest reel that shines the most with the most complicated mind blowing micro chips ever invented, that make you glow in the dark!!!!! So we are going to get what we deserve, aren’t we?
Steve Sheppard – 2005
Steve produces Angling Memorabilia and genuine working items in his workshop, visit his site at;
