Carpy Dreams

Bikinis on the bank

Sometimes being a girl is hard, but sometimes being a girl is the best thing ever. Being a girl on the bank varies between the two extremes at least 100 times per session. There are so many challenges that we face, like bathroom breaks (seriously considering purchasing a RidgeMonkey cozee toilet seat to help with this problem).

I generally fish at family friendly places and see many ladies on the bank. I have noticed though that often when a lady goes to the bank it is usually behind their partner, as a spectator or with only enough knowledge to reel in and pose for a picture.

I have often fished alone and have been approached by men with a very quizzical look on their faces. How can you be fishing on your own? Where is your boyfriend / husband? Are you able to handle that fish on your own… I just smile.

It is quite entertaining when you are able bivvy up, tie your own rigs and bait up, sometimes cast (something I am working on) catch and net your own fish and even drop your own lines with a boat. It draws so many flabbergasted faces that sends a small self-satisfied shiver up my spine and a sense of pride in how much I have learnt.

I am lucky enough to have the most amazing anglers in my life who I am lucky to call friends. They have taught me so much and have helped me earn my catches. It makes each fish mean that little bit more.

For each lady that enjoys time on the bank I would say to her, ‘Keep learning. Keep on building and keep on trying.’ Knowledge is never wasted. For those ladies who have not yet made their way to the bank, go and try. Go and get stuck in, get dirty and have fun. As I always like to say, soap and water makes clean!

Fishing vs Work

When is a good time to go fish?

In my opinion the answer is whenever you get a damn chance!

As the saying goes… “A bad day on the bank is still better than a good day at the office.”

I am lucky enough to stay and work near a small venue owned by friends of mine. This allows me to spend many of my afternoons next to the water, even though it would sometimes only be for an hour.

Lockdown is that ever present elephant in the room at the moment. While sitting next to the water a few days ago I realized again how important being out in nature is to me.

Fishing, or even just sitting next to the water is how I recharge my batteries. It allows me to reflect on my day, previous session or even something as small as watching the dust clouds in the margins.

Fishing is not just a sport to me… It is something that has been with me since I was old enough to hold a rod and will be until I need a single banky strapped to my wheelchair.

In conclusion… To go or not to go?

Go… get out there and enjoy the peace that the water brings and while you are there get a rod in the water!

End of Lockdown – Corriloch

Carpy Dreams: Who we are…

We want to take this first post and introduce ourselves. We are an angling duo from Johannesburg who will take every opportunity to be on the bank.

Rudi, our male correspondent, is more often than not found with a rod in his hand. He is always willing to share what he has learnt and help anyone new to specimen angling. He is often teaching children how to fish and hopefully inspiring the next generation of anglers.

Tarryn, our female writer, is not the stereotypical blonde or girly-girl. She loves to be outdoors, camping and fishing any chance she gets. In a short period of time she has learnt enough to hold her own against most of the boys.

For a long while the idea of a blog has been something that we have toyed with. We have learnt so much in our journey on the bank and thought that if we could share that with other like-minded anglers, or perhaps someone new to the specimen scene it would be wonderful. By no means are we experts, but rather exceptionally passionate and would like to share our journey with you.