Dan Wildbore says it how it is
With a career in carp that would be any great attribute for an old timer Dan Wildbore is without doubt one of the UKs highest calibre competitive anglers . with some great awards and some impressive captures Dan is hitting it big. Check out what he had to say when he spoke exclusively for Team Catch and Release
Tell us what 2013 has been like for you?
It has been great to be honest. I was given the opportunity to work for one of the buggest and fastest
growing bait companies in April. I could not turn such a great opportunity down and have not looked back since. I love my job, helping promote what I believe to be the best bait available in the shops.
I have also managed to catch a few nice fish too, nothing huge by todays standards but some lovely
carp all the same. I have had a little go on Linch Hill’s Christchurch Lake, somewhere that I have always wanted to fish. It has been a real test, trying to outwit some of the trickiest carp that I have ever fished for.
What are your aims for this winter?
I will try and get out as much as I can, but in all honesty I don’t like winter fishing. I normally fish right through until Christmas, then
I spend January and February doing the odd day session.
What would you say is your biggest edge in fishing?
I would say it was being adaptable. I will use any tactic to catch a carp. Whether it be a
solid bag, a 12mm pop-up, small snowman, chod, hinged-stiff or zig, I don’t care what I use as long as it gets me a bite.
With such a successful championship calibre what would you say you have learnt from
these experiences?
That almost everything falls on the draw and there are too many people that take it far to serious. Its carp fishing at the end of the day, not football, they get paid loads of money and we do it for the love of it. The World championships is an unpaid event, but we do it because we are representing out country in something we love. The winner of the competition is not always the best that have entered.
What have been your biggest angling achievements ?
It would have to be achieving a silver medal in the 2011 World championships in Italy. It was an honour and a shock to be picked, but on our first outing we managed a second in our section and a silver overall, narrowly missing out on the gold.
Being so active in the media what would you say to people looking to follow a angling media career ?
It is a fantastic job but it can be very demanding. With so many deadlines to follow, you are constantly on the go doing stuff, but I
love it. My best advice would be to get on with people, don’t make any enemies because this industry is much smaller than you
think.If you are young, just enjoy your fishing and if a job in the industry comes up then great, but don’t rely on working in the fishing trade, as you may fall out of love with fishing in the future.
What is Your new venue approach?
Approach it with an open mind. Don’t pay too much attention to what the locals say. Use what you are confident in and
adapt to what you see. I have been out on features with some very good anglers, one including Jim Shelley and he really has opened my eyes to so much. I remember being on one lake that they ‘don’t take floaters’ from and he destroyed them off the top.
Sum up your angling in 3 words
Accurate, patient, simple
What does 2014 involve for you?
Jake and I have entered the BCAC this year after not doing it this year. I have also got the world championships in Romania. As far as my own fishing goes, I am determined to catch one of the bigger fish in Christchurch.It will be another busy year for Sticky too, with the Krill absolutely flying this year. It is great being part of a team that promote the bait because it is easy pushing something you genuinely believe in.
