EsoxEcosse Magazine 25
An interview with an angler
An Interview
with an angler
> Jon-Paul Neafcy
> Pike Pro Consultant
> 2014 AGM Guest Speaker
Q: Jon how long have you been Pike fishing?
late great James Holgate for all his help with my
angling writing.
Fish your socks off, keep a diary, ask the magazine editors for help or guidance or other angling authors most people are helpful.
Q: As an angling author what attracts you to this,
what are the pros & cons and what tips would you
give budding authors?
Q: What do you see as the current challenges
for Pike fishing?
A: Hi, I'm 41 and have fished since age 5 catching my first pike aged 7.
Q: What attracts you to Pike fishing?
A: The Pike is an ancient species, top of the
freshwater aquatic food chain, the fresh water
shark or water wolf which sets the mind racing.
Add to this the fantastic scenery we can find ourselves fishing and it's not difficult to see why we
become hooked. Add to that I have a very demanding and stressful job as a senior manager
so fishing is a form of escape for me.
Q: During your fishing career what changes
have you seen?
A: I've seen many changes, many for the better
including the wealth of specimen and specialist tackle available particularly for fish welfare
with unhooking matts etc. being common place.
However not all changes in my opinion are for
the better including bait restrictions that we have
seen in England in the lake district and the live
bait ban in Scotland.
Q: Who are/or were your angling heroes &
why?
A: My late uncle Graham Boyle who taught me
how to fish a very secretive angler, Dick Walker;
Redmire carp record amongst other achievements, Chris Yates again a carp record holder
and a proper old school angler, Pike wise has to
be the late great Barry Rickards for