The US Influence

Peter Waller

Whilst it was Englishmen who invented both the multiplier and the fixed spool reels, it was American anglers who took to these inventions for lure fishing. An English angler by the name of Alexander Wanlass first developed the use of the fixed spool, or thread line, in conjunction with a short rod for lure fishing. With few exceptions British anglers failed to take to either lure fishing or the style that we British now regard as U.S. style angling, despite its British conception. Is it that the average English angler is idle, that they are inclined to sit and wait for their fish rather than get up off their seats and hunt?

There have been a number of British ‘lure’ revivals, most have petered out like a damp squib. But the present ‘revival’ does appear to be gaining momentum and holding converts. Previous ‘revivals’ have been totally U.S. influenced. But there was the problem. We were taking techniques that were totally and highly developed for freshwater bass and walleye, the latter being akin to our Zander. Such a technique is highly suited to the Norfolk Broads, but its popularity soon slackened when it proved, or so it was thought, to be unsuited to general British piking. With few exceptions, such as Wagstaff, Rickards, Bettell, Vincent and the legendary Gord Burton, most British pikers looked on the U.S. style of lure fishing with a degree of scorn. But things are changing!

Brits have taken the U.S influence and anglicised it. Whilst yours truly has been happy to continue being almost slavish to the American style for nearly fifty years there are others who have taken things forward, developing an English style, admittedly one that has emerged from U.S. jerk-baiting, that even some Americans are now taking on board. Longer U.K. style rods are now being seen in America. The use of left-hand wind reels and right hand ‘power’ casting is gaining popularity over the pond. The British use of smaller jerk baits is something that we are developing as an improvement for our conditions. Pike are now being seen as a worthwhile target in America with the arrival of Pike Masters, the U.S. equivalent of our P.A.C., but hopefully without the bickering that seems to typify English piking.

British lure fishing is going through an exciting period. Readers of Pike and Predator have access to some of the leading developments that the U.K. has to offer. Bait fishing is going through a state of stagnation thus lure angling appears to be taking an inappropriate proportion of editorial space. But the truth is that it is lure angling that is at last being seen as an effective means of catching pike, something that the U.S. has known for decades. It is an area that is gaining popularity because it is open to development. And development is going on at a pace! There is a healthy exchange of ideas across the pond but, without doubt, Britain now has its own style of lure fishing. People such as Derek Macdonald have been a breath of fresh air. But it has taken others to fine tune and publish their techniques based on what Derek has popularised. So, those of you who think Pike and Predator should be renamed as Plug and Spinner, well, it’s an area of advancement that is long over due. For years bait fishing stole the show to such an extent that magazines hardly mentioned lure angling. The balance is being set!