This AnglersTale was submitted by 'The Anxious Angler'.
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The Anxious Angler

A whole days fishing has passed and nothing caught, these are the frustrating days of an angler. But as I sit here in the glorious sunshine, I think things could be worse, for example I could be at work in my cubicle, ominously punching keys, being dragged around the shops or even worse... the Mrs making me do housework!!

Instead I'm sat here with the sun upon my back, watching the swans and ducks glide through the water and all I can think is - why aren't those damn fish eating my halibut boilies, is my rig ok, is this going to be another blank?

Why do we do this as anglers - or is it just me, isn't fishing supposed to be a relaxing sport, it seems that if I don't catch within the first four hours I start to question everything. You start looking at the clock, counting how long you've got before you have to pack up, then you start calculating the quickest possible pack-up in the hope that those extra 3 minutes may make your bite alarm scream off.

YES! The bite alarm goes off, my heart misses a beat, my stomach churns with excitement, I reach down - grab my rod, lift and strike and... nothing... my heart sinks.

Whilst sitting here I've decided that fishing is a bit like watching England, there is all the build up and hype before the game, the preparation: beer, crisps, dip and peanuts. You then sit down and put the telly on and you start to get all excited and fancy your chances against whoever, then it gets 30 minutes in and its 0-0, no flair, no desire, it gets to half time and still nothing.

Right second half will be a different kettle of fish and yet still nothing, you begin to get anxious and your heart beat slowly starts to increase, you get up and go to the toilet in the hope that 'Sods Law' will kick in … still nothing. How can this be, how are you gonna explain another blank?

The Anxious Angler