* Describe why the sport of angling holds such a special place in your life?
FA: It’s such a mix: the thrill of the catch – and the wind-down of the peaceful time spent by the water. The camaraderie, being with other anglers – and the solitude when you are alone on the riverbank. The fresh air and the exercise… I associate angling with holidays and getting away from it all.
* Where and when did you first go fishing? Who were you with?
FA: I first went fishing in my late 20s with my soon-to-be first husband. It was on the River Dee in Scotland and we were in search of salmon and sea trout. I always thank my lucky stars that he wasn’t into football – Iwould have found it much more difficult to take up that sport!
*What was the first fish you caught? Set the scene…
FA: It was on said river, the Dee. The day was mild and the midges were not too active. My fiance had intended to start me off with a spinning rod, but when we arrived the water was too low – so it was fly-fishing only. He tried to give me a few tips, but we fell out. He went off down stream and I cast out, very badly. Then on the sixth cast there was a bang on the end of the rod and I didn’t really know what to do. A man from across the river shouted – reel in! I started winding in and kept on winding until the poor fish was dangling at the end of the top eye of the fish! It was about three pounds, a nice sea trout. The man then shouted over again to ask what fly I was using. I told him it was black and hairy, not knowing its name.
Afterwards I was hooked and I started to catch more fish than my husband did. The marriage didn’t last, but I don’t think that was the reason!
* What has been the most exciting catch you’ve ever made?
FA: Probably hooking a 36 pound salmon in Alaska. I was there to make a fishing film for Sky TV – and it all looked so easy. Who could not fail to catch there? There seemed to be hundreds of salmon in the river, but as any angler worth his or her salt knows, a glut of fish doesn’t mean you will catch! It took a good few days to hook one – and an hour to wind it in. I was pretty exhausted at the end. I just kept hoping and praying that the line would hold, but they use pretty tough nylon over there. When you look at the picture it’s a fairly red fish – not as silvery as our Scottish offerings – then it’s an Alaskan salmon. But was I proud when I posed with that fish – then released it into the wild.
* Where is your favourite place to go fishing in the UK and globally?
FA: Any Scottish river. I once caught a memorable salmon on the Border Esk in Dumfriesshire, a 14.5 pounder. Note the half pound: it’s very important. Then I love spate rivers like the Findhorn. The water level goes up and down and when it is falling after a flood, you can have some really exciting days. I caught my first salmon on the River Cassley in Sutherland in the far north. It’s a mix of low and streamy and high and rocky. Plus, it feels like God’s own Country there. Mind, I also love fishing for trout on a Scottish loch. You can have some magical days out on a hill loch. No-one can get to you. It’s really back to the wild.
* When did you first become involved with Fishing TV and World Fishing Day?
FA: Fishing TV is becoming a hugely popular watch with anglers. I was thrilled when I was approached by them to be part of World Fishing Day. Anglers are generally a pretty decent lot – indeed, I’ve never met a horrible one. So that must say something.
* Why did you decide to become involved as an ambassador for World Fishing Day?
Fishing is a great pastime – and as patron on a couple of fishing charities I have seen the effect it can have on youngsters, especially those from the inner-cities: taking them out into the countryside and giving them an interest; getting them away from mobiles and computer screens and getting them back to nature. Teaching them to have a respect for the water and the creatures that live in and around it. Giving a sense of achievement and confidence.
Fishing is incredibly popular, but we need to bring a new generation of anglers on – and also to encourage more females to take up the sport.
* As an ambassador for the initiative, what are your hopes for World Fishing Day?
That it creates more interest in angling. And that it encourages a respect for the fish – and raises questions about conservation and preservation.
Angling is not just about hunting and catching.
* As a news presenter, do you find that angling offers a mental escape from the realities of busy day to day life?
FA: Undoubtedly. Imagine a place where your mobile doesn’t work – and you are not bombarded with news – usually bad news! It sounds like a cliché, but when I go fishing it is time to unwind, recharge the batteries and get away from it all. I catch very little – always have caught very little. But catching is not the be all and end all of angling, for me it is the peace and the exercise and the fresh air.
* Despite a worldwide community of 700m anglers, men and women who love fishing are always keen to get more people involved in the sport –why do you think more people don’t get involved in fishing and what would you say to somebody who is considering taking up the sport?
FA: I think that numbers are reducing in many sports and pastimes, probably because of computers and mobiles, etc. There are so many digital distractions these days. What was once seen as a rite of passage for a boy is perhaps becoming less so? Perhaps dads don’t teach their sons to fish like they used to? But 700 million anglers is not a bad number! We just need to bring in the next generation and keep them hooked.
* Angling is viewed predominantly as a male sport – what would you say to any women who are interested in taking the sport?
FA: Go for it. We ladies might be in the minority – I believe that only ten percent of anglers are female. But the record books show we can certainly catch. The biggest fish caught on rod and line in British water was hooked and landed by a woman – in 1922 Miss Georgina Ballantine hooked a silvery 64-pound beauty and she still holds the record. Even if we don’t catch anything there are so many reasons to go fishing: health and fitness, clearing the mind, nice fishing hats, learning to tie knots, the companionship of other anglers – or, being so outnumbered by these males, you might even hook more than a fish (I met my second husband on the banks of a river!)
That last one sounds a bit flippant – but if you go fishing you might just find yourself a lifelong passion.
