Even the world’s best anglers don’t stop learning...

IT’S GREAT to see the numbers of youngsters on the banks at fisheries right now. What’s more, it’s refreshing to see that some of them are prepared to learn their trade rather than craving the instant success their generation has been often accused of.

I managed to sneak a few days off recently and the missus very kindly allowed me a few hours of fishing in between chores. With my usual river swims looking like a paddleboard party, I headed to a stretch I’d not fished for ages and had a great time. Rather than throw my casters in at the end I passed them on to a couple of youngsters who were there with their parents.

One lad had an impressive collection of kit set up, while the other was focused on a single rod and waggler. According to his parents he was learning how to fish a float on a river for the first time and we all got chatting about learning new skills.

He asked how long I’d been fishing, and reckoned that after 40 years I must know everything by now and be a brilliant angler. After I’d stopped laughing, I told them that even the best anglers never stop learning.

I remember Steve Ringer telling me he was going for casting lessons a few years back, which surprised me at the time.

Here we had a member of the England team, a Fish O’Mania and Parkdean finals winner, and World Feeder champion seeking help from someone else.

But why not? He was already an incredible angler, but now he can cast further and more accurately he’s almost unbeatable!

Des Taylor is the same. He’s just celebrated his 70th birthday, and in this week’s column he reveals he’s still honing his float skills.

If there are youngsters on your regular fishery this week, be patient with them.

We all had to learn, and some of us – including the world’s best anglers – still are.