Happy wednesday carpers, hope you are all well! Life at Cally’s Carpy Customs has been manic recently having posted our best month in July with our Handmade Rigs flying off the shelf! We have many more NEW PRODUCTS coming soon including Flourocarbon Rigs and Cally’s Leaders so make sure you keep an eye out!
I was sitting here watching my usual YouTube channels like Parker Baits, Wetlines, Fresh Fishing and many more and the usual content arose. What is the best food to have on the bank? I am a great lover of my food and I definately don’t let this slip on the bank. So here are some of my ideas of must have items for the best food experience on the bank!
This was one of my first finds when trying to be inventive on the bank when it comes to food. This design is so simplistic and easy to use, simply just sit on your stove and get perfect toasties or paninis everytime! My favourite is Cheese and Onion toastie!
Similar concept to the Ridge Monkey Toastie machine before however this is more simplistic. This product makes the perfect toastie every time! Little Tip: You can even cook a steak perfectly in here! Must have in any overnight anglers bag!
This amazing piece of kit gives you so many options when it comes to preparing food on the bank. I use this to cook a fry up having the seperate sections for your different food items! Absolute game changer!
This set is all you need to prepare top quality meals on the bank! For just a small price get this 3 piece set including a saucepan with lid, frying pan and kettle! Bargain!
AND.. Don’t forget a good cool bag to keep your items fresh! This bag is great for quick overnight sessions where you are taking one or two meals. The bag is lightweight and helps keep your food cool!
Summary
Being well hydrated and nourished on the bank is crucial to a good fishing session! It helps with energy levels, staying alert and increased concentration on the bank! Make sure you get your kits and utensils today!
It’s Wednesday, Sun is out and it’s blog time! Hope everyone is having a cracking week and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather we have at the moment! Last week I wrote a blog on CC Moore and the pellets they have on offer. If you haven’t read this blog yet then you can check it out here!
In this week’s blog I want to speak about up and coming YouTube Creators in the carp fishing world and who’s videos I am buzzing to watch each week! Me, myself, as a small business owner and an inspiring youtube creator spend alot of my week watching growing smaller Youtube creators; who are on the grind and releasing great videos. I am currently beginning to post Venue Videos, Hints and Tips plus Reaction Videos on my youtube channel. Make sure you go and check it out! Today I am going to talk through my Top 5 up and coming Carp Fishing Channels that I watch week in week out! I will start off with my 5th rated upcoming Youtube channel up to 1st being my favourite channel and content!
Welcome to Caravan Carpers! We are a pair of brothers who have a passion for all things fishing and love having a laugh while doing it! Carp Fishing 2022.
Content: Honest and professional product reviews Upload Rate: Uploads 2-4 times per month
The reason I like Caravan Carpers so much is their unbiased opinions on different products. Often before making a purchase of fishing gear I check to see if these guys have done a video on this product. Well worth a sub for the information and opinions they provide!
Two lads based in the north east with a huge passion for fishing! We’ll take you on our fishing adventures be it locally, across UK or even France. Our first love is carp fishing. Having started out feeder fishing, we’ve now stepped things up a gear and target specimen carp. Recently we’ve started to delve into the world of pike fishing and who knows, in the future we may even hit the sea! Also, watch out for a monthly product review series we’ve just started. We love to have a beer on the bank and whilst we’re fishing you can expect a laugh or two. Make sure to subscribe to follow the journey!
Content: Venue sessions on a variety of different waters Upload Rate: Upload nearly every week
These two guys are very down to earth and provide videos on a variety of carp fishing. From match venues to specimen lakes and product reviews these guys provide it all! They upload regularly and make the effort to provide good quality videos for everyone to enjoy. Like other brands they have a section called ‘Beer of the Session’ where they try a different beer on each video. Great content guys and keep grinding!
Helping YOU Catch More Fish by “Sharing” videos of my fishing, Day Ticket. LIVE Streams from the Bank, How to’s, Cackle Hill, Wylands, Linear fisheries, Mousehole, Videos and many more along the way, Real Unbiased Fishing Tackle Reviews, Useful fishing Tips, Carp Rigs and Helpful How To Fishing Advice.
Content: Venue sessions including socials with their well known ‘Cider of the Sesh’ Upload Rate: Approximately 2 times per month
Like other anglers and brands in this list they are located in the south east of England providing venue reviews with tips and tricks. What I like about this channel is they are a normal bunch of lads who have a passion for carp fishing. As noted above they have created a section in their videos for ‘Cider of the Sesh’ where they ask viewers to send suggestions of Ciders they should try on their next adventure. They also have a section called ‘Bivvy Bistro’ where they produce food on the bank. These down to earth guys are a very good watch and really make you feel like part of the video. Must watch in my eyes!
Hi, I’m James. I Am A Carp Fishing Enthusiast. This is My Channel Everything Carp Fishing. My videos Are filled with guides, tactics and tips. I Have been fishing for over 16 Years and have picked up a few tricks or two. Join me on my adventures, watch my vlogs and follow me on social media. Come with me as we explore new waters and reliable venues.
Content: Venue sessions using ‘carp basics’ bait Upload Rate: Videos approximately once per week
This channel is one of my favourites to watch as this includes videos I feel very engaged with being a Carp Angler in the south east of England. He visits venues in the south east including Monks, Orchard Lakes and Cottington to name just a few. James is a very enthusiastic angler who lives and breathes carp fishing which really shows in his videos. James recently joined ‘carp basics’ where he uses their bait on all his sessions. I have watched this channel for a long time and the editting has improved greatly, each video is a fluent watch with great content! Top watch James!
Two brothers from the UK Southampton England uploading every Sunday at 7:30pm! Fishing, Cars and anything else we see suitable for the channel! Hit subscribe and stay tuned on the channel.
Content: Venue sessions at different waters using their own bait range ‘Parker Baits’ Upload Rate: Every Sunday @ 7.30pm
What is there not to like about this YouTube Channel? I look forward to every sunday at 7.30pm to tune into their latest upload on all types of venue. Ben and Tom started their own bait brand called Parker Baits which they use on all their sessions. Parker Baits was founded in 2020 and their mission is to provide superior fishing bait products combined with unrivalled customer service. Each upload is edited to a superb level and each video keeps you engaged and excited. On the Youtube Channel, Ben produces the main load of the fishing Vlogs. He explains everything about the venue he is fishing, what tactics and bait he is using and what spots he is choosing. Certainly for me an excellent watch week in week out and look forward to hearing his signature catchphrase each week. Keep smashing it boys and keep catching those ‘Nossa’s’!
Summary
Having watched Carp Fishing videos on Youtube for a few years I have become quite particular in the sort of content I like to watch. I look for engaging content (even when there’s a blank) with individuals or brands who show passion in the Carp Fishing world. All 5 of these channels show these key traits that it requires for making it on YouTube and keep viewers coming back for more! If you haven’t subbed to any of these channels or atleast gone and checked them out then make sure you do!
If you have any questions related to this blog or any other blog for that matter feel free to fill out the contact form below, DM me on insta or facebook or ping us an email!
Hope you enjoyed this read and until next time, tight lines all!
Happy Wednesday Everyone. We are halfway through the week and only a few more days till we can get back out on the bank for the weekend! Last week I talked about Rods, Reels and Alarms! Carp Fishing Essentials for Beginners. If you haven’t read that blog yet then you can do so here!
This weeks blog is going to be something a little different; Mental Health! As it is Mental Health Awareness Week I feel the need to tell you about my story and how fishing has helped me with my Mental Health. I have severly suffered with my Mental Health over the last 8 years since my brother Tom passed away at the age of 19 with a rare form of cancer called Sarcoma. I will talk about my story and how Fishing has helped me with recovering!
My Story
Growing Up
Throughout my childhood me, my brother and my dad were keen sportsman all participating in cricket and football for our local clubs. In between these we loved to go fishing and spend many funny nights on the bank. One funny story was we were fishing at The Belfry in Hailsham one cold and wet night when my brothers rod screamed off at 1am in the morning. A dazed Tom ran out of the bivvy with no shoes and fell down the steep bank just stopping himself from falling in the water. Covered in mud and soaking wet he lifted the rod to find there was no fish. Turns out he lifted the wrong rod as he smashed into his pod when falling and was unsure which it was. Much to his delight my Dad lifted his other rod and was in. Funny times and one that will stay with me for years!
When we grew older me and my brother started to fish with his friends on overnight socials at local lakes. One time me, my brother and 4 of his mates fished Barretts Park Farm Fishery in Heathfield. I had just purchased a cheap bivvy as it was the first bit of kit that I got in a bundle pack. Well all 6 of us hid away in this small square bivvy when the heavens opened. We quickly found out that my new bivvy was in fact not waterproof and we got soaked all night. We awoke the next morning to a river running through the tent which I can only describe as being as big as the Thames…. Slight exaggertion there!
In May 2014 my brother found a lump on his neck so my parents quickly booked him an appointment at the doctors. He was told everything was fine and that he had suffered with a virus which was in turn making his glands swollen. He was given antibiotics and sent home and was told that if things hadn’t improved in 2 weeks to return.
Things did not get better and he returned to the doctors. They told him that he should have tests and a biopsy on the said lump. Things were getting serious now so we decided to use our private health insurance to get the test results back quickly. Tom had 3 different tests under private healthcare before we even got a letter for his first appointment through the NHS. Crazy what money can buy!
We recieved the results from the tests… It was not good news!
Tom had a rare form of cancer called sarcoma which attacks your glands causing cancerous tumours in his neck. If you would like to know more about sarcoma then check out this link!
Me and My Brother
Tom underwent multiple waves of chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the Royal Marsden in Chelsea to reduce the size of the tumour with the aim for removing it via operation. What he had to go through I would never wish upon my greatest enemy. Deep down we could all see he was loosing his battle!
I returned from work one evening to find my dad looking rough and upset in our family home. I had been living by myself for weeks whilst my parents stayed with my brother in hospital. By the look on his face I could tell this was very bad news. He continued to tell me that there was nothing else they could do for Tom and it would be days or weeks before he passed. I was in shock and froze going to bed that night numb, no emotion or feelings.
I awoke the next day where I informed my work and moved up to the Royal Marsden in Chelsea to spend the last few days with my Brother. We had our ups and downs whilst there but there were moments I will never forget in my life!
On the 17th December 2014 our whole world came crashing down as my Brother Tom sadly passsed away after a short fight. This hit me like a ton of bricks and I hid my emotions for the sake of my parents as I felt I had a job to keep them going through life. And this is where my struggles with Mental Health started!
My Struggles
Throughout my brothers struggles I saw someone I love loose there life to a condition that no one could help. No matter what we or the hospital did the cancer took over his body and took his life. In my brain I couldn’t work out how a healthy young man like my brother had been taken by the big C and made me question my own health.
This is where I was diagnosed after persuasion that I suffered with Health Anxiety. Health Anxiety is described as:
Health anxiety is an obsessive and irrational worry about having a serious medical condition. It’s also called illness anxiety, and was formerly called hypochondria. This condition is marked by a person’s imagination of physical symptoms of illness.
Or in other cases, it’s a person’s misinterpretation of minor or normal body sensations as serious disease symptoms despite reassurance by medical professionals that they don’t have an illness.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety
Experts aren’t sure of the exact causes of health anxiety, but they think the following factors may be involved:
You have a poor understanding of body sensations, diseases, or both of these things. You may think that a serious disease is causing your body’s sensations. This leads you to look for evidence that confirms that you actually have a serious disease.
You have a family member or members who worried excessively about their health or your health.
You’ve had past experiences dealing with real serious illness in childhood. So as an adult, the physical sensations you experience are frightening to you.
Health anxiety most often occurs in early or middle adulthood and can worsen with age. For older people, health anxiety may focus on a fear of developing memory problems. Other risk factors for health anxiety include:
a stressful event or situation
the possibility of a serious illness that turns out to not be serious
being abused as a child
having had a serious childhood illness or a parent with a serious illness
having a worrying personality
excessively checking your health on the internet
This is something that I am still working on and I still struggle with everyday life now. It’s not an easy fix but I am making strides in the right direction and on the path of recovery!
How Fishing Can Help Mental Health
During my battle fishing has really helped me in starting to get back to the real world and help me overcome my fears and beliefs. Here are 7 reasons as to why fishing is good for your mental health!
First Nights on the Bank after Mental Health Struggles
1. It’s Great For Your Physical Health
Did you know fishing is a great form of physical exercise! According to the World Health Organisation’s recent case study:
Due to the varying levels of physical exertion in angling, it is a pursuit that allows you to enjoy a more active outdoor lifestyle. Many people enjoy the great outdoors and getting up close to nature. This includes exploring many different waterways whilst taking in the local wildlife and scenery. Many UK waters have an abundance of fish species that you can pursue and marvel at their individual natural beauty and habitat.
The physical intensity from a day on the water will benefit your body and mind. You can enjoy setting up rods, repeat casting, playing fish, walking a shoreline or standing all day in a boat. Meaning you can set the physical intensity of your day based on your own physical fitness. So no matter your level of fitness you can burn those excess calories!
2. Physical Health Recovery
While we now know angling can help increase our physical health. According to Angling Research, it can also have specific benefits for those recovering from ill-health. According to a recent Angling Research study:
“A growing body of research has pointed to the positive effects of green environments on physical recovery”
So fishing can provide the environment required to help physical health recovery; by providing increased movement at a pace that suits you. The psychological benefits of being in green environments or the way we like to put it, being in the great outdoors, can help improve your attitude and provide a feel-good factor.
3. Increased Concentration
Fishing ‘fascinates’ attention, allowing anglers to concentrate for long periods of time effortlessly. People who participate in angling become so absorbed in the sport that there is no room for other thoughts and that sort of singular focus serves as a mental break for other things that may be causing you frustration in the everyday fast pace of modern life.
4. Reduced Stress Levels
Fishing provides a form of relaxation by providing a distraction from everyday life and according to marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols:
“ being ‘near or on water’ for any amount of time lowers stress and anxiety, boosts our well-being and happiness and lowers heart and breathing rates, among other benefits”
Angling also provides moments of excitement with the unpredictability of catching which helps with concentration and helps you focus. which reduces the chances of boredom.
5. Increased Vitamin D
Escaping to the outdoors and feeling connected to nature can boost feelings of well-being and can improve your mood. It can also help top up your vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body, keeping your bones and teeth healthy. As well as boosting your immune system and has even been linked to fighting depression.
6. Improved Self-Esteem
Fishing like most hobbies requires a certain amount of skill to master different tactics and techniques over time. This form of active learning and development can provide a sense of purpose and motivation whilst boosting your self-esteem.
7. Social Engagement
According to Angling Research:
“The quality of people’s social relationships has been found to be one of the most robust predictors of well-being”
Angling is a great form of socialising with family or friends. The ability to pass down angling knowledge from grandfather to grandson or father to daughter. Or even, fishing in the company of close friends can provide a sense of connection or belonging that you require.
Even if you prefer to fish alone, you can still engage with angling communities through various digital platforms ensuring you stay connected and have a sense of belonging in a like-minded community.
Overview
Mental Health is at the highest peak due to the pandemic and more and more people are struggling with mental health. I have first hand experience of this and I am still working through my struggles. Fishing is helping me block out the boredom and provide me with the oppurtunity to get out the house and in the fresh air!
This is the reason I started this business because of my love of fishing and having to terminate my job due to my Mental Health Issues!
If you would like to ask anything about the issues I have raised in this blog or would like to talk about anything then please feel free to fill out the form below, email me or DM me on Instagram or Facebook. My inbox is always open and if any of my customers, readers, followers, passers by, ANYONE needs to talk then my inbox is always open!
I hope you will all take something from this heart felt blog.
Last message from me. Be NICE to EVERYONE as you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes and what people are struggling with. Reach out to your friends and be there for everyone. Even the most happiest of people can be struggling inside!
