I have been interested in fishing for as long as I can remember. My earliest memory was when my dad took me to a beach mackerel fishing. I was only young and I remember him tying around 6 or 7 hooks on the line, each with a glittery feather attached to it. He would then cast his line in, wait for a short period then all of a sudden there would be a huge bend in the fishing rod caused by half a dozen mackerel on the other end. This fascinated me and I think it was from those early days that I truly became hooked.

It was not until I was about 13 years old that I started to venture out fishing by myself. I was quite lucky as I grew up near a small lake that was only a 5 minute walk away. I used to go armed with a rod and a loaf of bread as bait and I started to become quite proficient at catching carp. Over the years, my collection of fishing rods and tackle grew, along with the experience I gained whilst using them. I even started to make my own home made bait experimenting with different flavours and fish attractants. To me, making the bait was just as much fun as using it.

I even went through a spell at one point in my life teaching people how to fish. I managed to get myself a weekend job at a fishery and part of that job was teaching people how to fly fish. That was my ideal job and was good while it lasted. Unfortunately, it did not provide enough an income for me to work there full time so I eventually had to move on to a different job.

Now I am in my adult years, I am able to drive and take my fishing adventures further afield than my local lakes. I probably dont have as much time as I used to with work and family commitments but I still get out whenever I can. I try to avoid fishing when it is too cold though, my ageing body cannot take it like it used to years ago. Fishing is a fantastic hobby; it has been with me all through my life. I find it hugely relaxing and would recommend anyone to try it for themselves. The Emtec Fishing site has some useful advice if you fancy giving it a go. Even writing this has got me itching to get out there to cast a line; I guess once you are hooked, you are hooked!