Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
IYCF chats to...
Dave Watson
IN MANY ways Dave Watson is similar to a lot of anglers – he’s mid- thirties, married with children and enjoys pole and feeder fishing on commercial carp lakes in the Midlands. But there are few anglers as inspirational as Dave.
While serving with the British Army he lost both legs and an arm after stepping on a hidden IED ( improvised explosive device) after turning back to help a friend who had slipped over while crossing a stream in Helmand Province during a tour of Afghanistan in 2010.
Remarkably, his incredible drive and determination saw him learning to walk again on prosthetic legs within weeks of sustaining his injuries. He was also able to get back out on the bank again and is now a successful match angler sponsored by Maver. But perhaps most impressive of all are the numerous medals he has won for Team GB at the Invictus Games in Canada and
Australia.
Q Could you tell us more about what happened in 2010? A
So, back in 2010 I was over in Afghanistan and on May 27 I stepped on an IED and lost both of my legs and my right arm. At that point I thought my life was over.
I died twice at 32,000 feet while being taken to hospital in an aeroplane but all the staff saved me. I was in hospital for three weeks then went to Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre where I had to learn to walk again on prosthetics.
It took me four years to realise my life was just getting started. I went through a lot in those four years but I bounced back when I met my wife and stepson Josh, then having our two daughters Erin and Paige.
QSuch life- changing circumstances could see many people give up. What drives you and what sort of mindset do you have to adopt to go on to achieve all the things you have? A
The thing that drives me to become the man I am today is my wife and kids. They are my driving force. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing for them. I want them to look at me and think that if I can do it, they can do it too and there is no giving up.
A saying I always use is: ‘ Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something.’ Nothing is impossible. Everything is possible, you just have to put your mind to it.
QYou won gold and bronze medals for Team GB at the Invictus Games in 2017, followed by golds and two silver medals in 2018. How did you get involved with the event and what did it feel like to achieve such great success? A
Yes, in 2017 I won a gold and bronze medal in Toronto. Then in 2018 in Sydney I won two golds in the discus and shot putt events and two silver medals in rowing events. It was amazing to compete in the Invictus Games. I got involved by putting my name forward and going to the trials. I never really thought I would get
“Never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. Nothing is impossible. Everything is possible”
“It took me four years to realise that my life was actually just getting started”
selected but, when I did, my dream came true. From that point on my goal was to simply train so hard and bring something back to show that all my hard had work paid off. When I received the medals it was overwhelming. I started crying because I was so happy.
Q Do you hope to compete in any future events?
A
Yes, definitely. I am currently training to try and get to the commonwealth games in Birmingham, so fingers crossed. I’m also trying to achieve another dream which is to qualify for either the Maver Match This or Golden Reel finals and become the first disabled angler to reach the finals. If I could go one better and become the first disabled angler to win either final it would be the ultimate dream. Watch this space.
Q You’re an ambassador for Hooked4Heroes and the British Limbless Ex- Servicemen’s Association. What does your role involve? A
My ambassador roles for Hooked4Heroes, BLESMA and also the Fisher House Foundation involve trying to raise as much money as possible and showing people that no matter what disability you have there is always something out there you can do.
These three charities are amazing and the people involved work so hard throughout the year to do the best they can to help people like me have the life I have now. So thank you to everyone for supporting.
Q Have you always been into fishing? How did you get into the sport?
A
Yes, I have been into fishing since I was four years old. My uncles initially got me into angling and they used to take me to a little pit. When I got my first bite and had a fish on, that was it – I was hooked there and then!
Q How often do you manage to get out on the bank?
A
I get out as much as I can fishing open matches and big qualifiers.
Q Are there any styles of angling which you haven’t tried but would like to have a go at in the future? A
To tell you the truth, I think I have tried them all! From match to sea fishing, I’ve had a go at most styles of angling over the years. That’s how much I love fishing!
Q What would your advice be people with disabilities who are interested in giving fishing a go? A
My number one piece of advice to anybody with a disability wanting to try fishing is, don’t just sit there and think about it, get out there and do it. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Q Are there any fishing techniques or tackle which you’ve had to adapt? A
No, there isn’t a single thing I’ve had to adapt, I just use my gear the way everybody else does. If anything, I’ve adapted myself to the gear. To begin with I just went out day after day and taught myself how to use the gear as it was. It all comes back to that idea of putting your mind to it and being able to achieve anything.
Q What do you think needs to be done to make our sport more accessible to anglers with disabilities? A
The main thing which would make fishing more accessible for disabled people is having more suitable pegs for wheelchair users. Fishing companies bringing out gear that a disabled person can use so they are not struggling would also be a big help.