Could Britain’s best-loved fishing writer be hanging up his rod for good? This has been the rumour swirling around following a surprise cover story from Classic Angling, of all places.
The magazine’s July issue broke the news with a cover headlined: “Exclusive! CHRIS YATES GIVES UP FISHING”.
But is there any truth to reports that the great author and former carp record-holder has wet his last line?
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In typical style for a man who shuns online media and doesn’t even own a smartphone, Chris Yates gave a wry chuckle when we spoke to him.
“I think the editor, Keith Elliot, is being a bit cheeky with this story!” said Chris, although he added that he hadn’t renewed his licence this season, due to changing interests and a lower desire to fish.
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“I’ve simply not had the urge for some time now, but that is largely because I have another passion. I was a creature of the water, now I’m very much looking to the air,” referring to his love of bird watching, and hen harriers in particular.
“Do I want to fish again? Well, I haven’t given up, you can tell your readers that much. I’m bound to fall in love with another river at some point,” said Chris.
“I’ve already done so much of what I wanted in angling, over 60 years! For a while I did little other than crucians in summer and perch in winter. At another point I was obsessed with bass. Now it’s hen harriers!”
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Chris also hinted that some aspects of modern angling didn’t appeal. “I don’t want to fish for carp again,” he admitted.
“I love the simplicity of what I do now. I can just grab a pair of binoculars and go out. However, it’s very much ‘goodbye for now but not farewell’. In fact, I’m going to a charity event this weekend to lend a rod to an angler who wanted to fish with me. As was the case last year, though, I have no intention of fishing.
“For now, I’m perfectly content just to be there and enjoy the lake and the company.”
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