Agony of fishing (From Oxford Mail)

Agony of fishing

2:06pm Friday 24th April 2009 in Letters

l IN the Oxford Mail most weeks, you print in the sports section, photos of one of our county’s expert fishermen normally holding his prize catch – which is usually quite large.

The fisherman always has a great big game hunter smile on his face, with matching pride in the great feat he has achieved.

Now the problem I have with trying to understand this, is how it is achieved.

A man or woman throws out on the end of a line, a needle-sharp hook.

They settle down staring out across the water in a fisherman’s trance, then all of a sudden get a bite. The hook gets well and truly embedded in the fish’s mouth, ripping through the flesh.

Then the fish is dragged for yards before being pulled to shore, and dangled on the end of a murderous piece of equipment.

What agony the fish must be going through by this time, we can only guess.

Then the hook being pulled out of the mouth – followed by the photograph.

The fish is then gently released into the water. With a bit of luck (even before its flesh has healed, he may catch it again) – and have a bit more fun.

BILL GOODWIN Pebble Hill Radley