Enabled angler!

NIGEL KROUKAMP, EMAIL

I decided to see if I could fish from my motorised wheelchair so I did my research. Criteria for fishing gear was lightness, simplicity in set- up and use, and portability. Cost was also an issue. Criteria for the fishery was obviously access and the ability to get the chair close to the water in safety!

A visit to one or two local tackle shops resulted in a holiday set consisting of a 10ft telescopic spinning rod with attached reel and line, hooks to nylon, shot, float, and a disgorger. I was shown several different sets between £ 10 and £ 50, a lightweight telescopic landing net (£ 10), and a tackle box. All fitted into a small rucksack which hung on the back of my wheelchair.

My friendly tackle shop explained about rod licences, the local fishing association and fishing lakes, both commercial and club.

Next step was a visit to the waters. Almost all waters in this area of East Lancashire have either designated areas for disabled fishing with sensible and safe platforms, or simple general pegs, accessible with care.

Managers/ owners were all more than happy to show me round. I could see which pegs were safely accessible, which were not.

I arranged with a local fishery

( The Rising, Burnley) to visit the following day and one of the owners, Nigel, met me, helped me set up, and ensured I caught a fish! ( okay, it was a half- ounce roach with suicidal tendencies!) but not only was it hooked, but so was I.

That was three years ago. My fishing gear remains essentially the same, telescopic and light, but I have progressed far beyond the holiday set! A subscription to your excellent magazine has helped improve my technique and catch rate. But the early advice, keep it simple, has stayed with me! My advice to other mobility challenged would- be anglers is to get out there and give it a go.

Start on a commercial fishery. The advice is exceptional and all the anglers I've met have been happy to help. And, if like me, you get fed up with people assuming your chair defines your mental ability, it’s wonderful to be treated as an equal on the bank! It’s assumed that if I need help I will ask, and I know help will be available if I need it... when I try to land the big one!