The greatest fishing programme of all time?

With the season ended I find myself exiled to the local commercial pools and wondering what the next year on the rivers will bring. This strange half life has pushed me towards Discovery Shed and the regular stream of fishing programmes that inhabit the channel. The fact that the channel exists is a reason of great joy, the fact many people are excluded from watching, due to Sky's subscription fees makes me feel a little sad.

When I grew up Passion for Angling (my favourite) and Go Fishing was on the box, kids in low income households such as mine, could watch bearded men such as Wilson and Yates catch fish and be inspired to go down to their local pond. But those days seems gone, the BBC and Channel 4 do not seem to be interested in wildlife unless it involves something cute and furry (hello Meercats, Otters and Beavers) or a trip around the world with crazy CGI.

The one last hope seems to be Quest TV (and Sky), hidden on free view, with the ever present Matt Hayes (great angler and presenter, but lacks a beard) backed up by his partner in crime Mick Brown (thankfully keeping beards alive in 21st century angling TV).

The show has a high level of awareness amongst kids on the local ponds and helps open their eyes to a world of angling that does not revolve around carp. The production values may not be as great as Passion for Angling or Catching the Impossible (thanks to Hugh Miles excellent work) but the show inspires kids to fish. Is it the greatest fishing programme of all time? Probably not, but I can not think of a show that is seen by more people and therefore has a greater impact.

Maybe the BBC should give Matt & Mick a bit of money, a good production team and the license to make their ideal fishing programme. What do you think?

How Chris and Bob saved my life

When I was but a young whelp I went on my first fishing trip. The venue was our local pond; a mysterious place covered in a blanket of saucer shape lilies under which hidden monsters lurked. We tackled this shallow pool armed only with boat rods, 20lb line and 5oz lead weights.

We spent most of the hot summer day casting into trees and trying to remove our leads from the deep dark silt they had sunken into. The day ended with no fish and no bites and I returned home wondering if I should take up a  more tangible pursuit.

As my thoughts drifted to radio control cars or if I could afford a BB gun my Dad pointed to a new programme in the Radio Times. Later that week after watching the show my life changed for ever; the fishing bug had found a willing host and any thoughts of BB guns where gone forever.

For the next few weeks my new friends (Bob & Chris) and I journeyed around the UK to strange lakes and winding rivers catching scores of fish each more beautiful than the next. I learnt of the grace of the winter Grayling, Roach can grow over 2lb and how to catch a mighty carp using an old scarecrow.

Passion For Angling showed me that being an Angler is not about having the most expensive equipment or catching the biggest fish. It showed me the romance of the natural world, the friendship that exists between bearded men and the moment of wonder that leaves you speechless as your float slowly sinks beneath the surface.

I am still casting into trees but even in the dark moments when I feel like giving it all up, I think of Redmire Monsters or Mr Crabtree and I suddenly find the strength for one more cast.