Andy Siviter – Angler

Name: Andy Siviter
Sport:Angling/Fishing
Location:Anywhere but mainly Shropshire

How did you get into angling?
A friend of mine got the bug and convinced me to give it a go.

What’s the biggest fish you have ever caught?
I don’t weigh fish as i don’t own scales. Frankly, I’m not really concerned about size of weight. That said, there’s no feeling like bending your rod into a real chunk! Back to the question: biggest fish I ever caught was in in Ellesmere Shropshire on a camping trip. The sun was just coming up on a lovely warm morning. I had the place to myself. A large carp I estimate to be around 15lb took a maggot while I was feeder fishing. (Using a small cage to hold bait near to where the hook lands). I scrambled to put my net together and banked it surprisingly easily in the end. Once unhooked I reached for my phone only to find the battery was flat. As I released it i thought ‘nobody will ever believe me’ but the pure adrenalin of bringing that fish onto the bank that summers morning is something i will never forget.

Was there anyone else there to corroborate it?
As per above. not a soul!

What would be your ideal place to fish?
I have only been fishing a couple of years but I most enjoy small rivers in summer and nice quiet still water ponds and lakes in winter/spring. Anywhere that’s quiet and natural. The setting is crucial because you don’t always catch fish and so being in a beautiful place with lots of other wildlife to observe is a great way to pass the hours.

I hear there was a big one that got away, what’s the story?
It wasn’t such a big one but we were fishing a small local pond and the fish from there have only ever been on the 2/3lb region. One night late spring a friend and I hooked a carp of around 5lb which would have broke the pool record. After a short fight I got it to the bank only to get snagged ion some weed. Just as we where removing shoes and socks it wriggled off the hook and escaped! To be honest there is usually ‘one that got away’ in every session.

Whilst your sitting there waiting for a pull on the line, what do you do to pass the time?
Good question, I’m not sure where the time goes. I think about anything and everything. I sometimes take a radio but actually you would be surprised how active you need to be as an angler. Constantly changing baits and tactics means you can lose yourself in the craft

And finally, what’s the most bizarre item you’ve ever pulled out of the water?
Hate to disappoint but other than fish and the odd bit of weed nothing much of interest