Mika Lappalainen | Friday, 31 January 2025
Last day of January, this month has last like 8 weeks or something like that. How it is always same, January seems to last forever and then summer months fly by so fast that you barely have time to fish.
Our high season has passed half way and winter season is in mid. Two months gone, two months left, Wednesday/Thursday we had first heavy snowing for whole winter so far, about 15 cm/6 inches in day. And of course our tractor is on repair, well it has been since last Saturday and I had to ask neighbours to help with hay and snow work.
We still miss few reindeers, only one of those we are sure is still alive and we know where she is. Unfortunately she is calf, orphan and that's why really easily spooked. Hopefully on Saturday I have time to go try to catch her.
I have been watching some fishing programms lately. I noticed few interesting points. First I have to say that all fishermen on those should be considered as extremely experienced. Programme has been going years and they have been fishing all over the world for different species. It was awful to watch the casting, I know it is not his prime area, still if you do fishing programms and get paid a lot, maybe you should learn even decent casting technique as it will come back in the long run.
I know that when cameras are on, things change. Yet they should do better, in my opinion.
One thing is line length when you are landing the fish. Normally it is problem for children and really beginner fisherman, when I see it with experience fisherman.... well I consider it lack of respect for fish. Of course there are cases that you need take shorter line, but I don't think it should ever be shorter than lenght of the rod. When you go shorter than rod lenght you basically put all the pressure on hook and therefore on fish mouth. Which leads that the rod can't work as it meant to, it is fully bent or you are straight on your reel. Especially with bigger fish 95% of time you will lose the fish.
Other thing I notice is how people hold the fish, it is not gentle and firm hold. Again I understand this with children and fisherman who haven't caught many fish in their life, but when I see it a big money production with experienced fisherman.... well I'm speechless.
Tail grab is good and then people put other hand just behind front fins, which is okay, unless you squeeze fish with your fingertips. That's where heart etc are. And when they do that of course fish starts to wriggle. It won't help that you explain that, it is really strong fish and that's how you try to hide your own mistake.
Imagine that we put burlap around your chest, then it will be tighten to extreme... I'm quite sure you will start to wriggle also.
As I told tvshooting changes things. I surely know as I have been there, shitty casting when you know that you have to nail it. Excitement from good size or big fish when landing and handling it, you go with flow and feeling takes you.
Just wondering if it is total lack of respect and understanding to fish. Or is it truly that cameras just change everything even you are doing huge productions many years all over the world.
My guess is lack of respect and making unnecessary action for tv. There is diffence between making drama and action.
Go fishing and respect your opponent
Mika from Finland