Dr Paul Garner

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With the sun beating down I’m sure that many of you will be looking forward to your summer break over the next few weeks.
How many of you have thought about taking a bit of fishing gear along and perhaps stealing a couple of hours here and there? Perhaps the thought of carting around loads of gear doesn’t appeal, or perhaps pangs of guilt get to you? Well, believe me, you can catch some good fish without the risk of divorce! Stay close Obviously, if you are going to be fishing amidst a family holiday then we are not talking about an all out assault, more a ‘little go’ here and there. The first consideration is to make sure there is some water close to where you will be staying. Pay close attention to the Tourist Information guides and the local information pamphlets as they will often point you in the right direction. If in doubt phone up and ask, if you are in the UK find the nearest tackle shop (there are loads of dealer locators on the web) and ask them. Certainly in the UK, you will not be far from some sort of fishing. Even abroad, you will often find some sort of fishing close by. Remember, seaside resorts have a beach and the sea, which in most parts of the world contains something with fins. Finding somewhere close to base is very important for a happy holiday. OK, the best fishery in the world might only be an hour’s drive away, but how often can you spare that amount of time without being noticed? Much better to limit yourself to ten minutes drive and less stressful all round. Obviously, if you have a say in where you go, why not suggest staying at a resort, hotel, or park that has fishing within walking distance – the ultimate luxury! Obliging species It’s worth thinking carefully about the species you intend to target during your holiday. Obviously, the whole point is to only be fishing short sessions, normally these will be around dawn, or after dark. so there is no point in targeting species that feed outside of these times. You are also going to be unable to choose when you fish, so there is no point in fishing for species like roach that can need very particular conditions for consistent sport. Good species to choose are small to medium sized carp, which can be relied upon to feed most days, and also chub, that will feed come rain or shine. Chub tend to be my first choice, as they can be caught in almost any conditions, and there is always a good chance of a specimen. We love holidaying in Dorset and this gives me access to the beautiful River Stour, where big chub can be found in small numbers in several different areas. Fishing for species like chub and carp also mean that you can take preserved baits and not have the hassle of dealing with maggots, or frozen baits. Anything that you can do to limit the amount of time spent in preparation is worth considering. You really want to be able to grab a little bit of gear and be on the road at a moments notice. Use local knowledge It is also worth considering doing something completely different with the aid of a local guide. Not only will you have the benefit of their local knowledge, but you will also normally be able to borrow or hire tackle and bait. The only problem with some guides is that they are not prepared to fish early and late, so check this out before booking. Any guide worth their salt will be able to put you on fish at the right time of day. Just recently I spent a morning spinning for bass with my mate Stuart Clough, whilst holidaying in Dorset. Whilst the bass proved elusive, Stuart’s local knowledge caught us some fine wrasse, and introduced me to the joys of spinning from the sea shore. Be realistic! Finally, don’t expect to make the greatest catches of your life whilst on holiday. Be happy just to get away for a couple of hours and remember you are on holiday, so lighten up! Snatching an hour or two away from the beach takes a little bit of planning, but with a little bit of effort you can catch yourself a few fish and keep the family happy.

Dr Paul Garner

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