Fishing wagons that get there...

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Some branches of the media have been taking bold new measures in order to survive. These are challenging times, and businesses relying on advertising have been suffering. I would like to applaud our flagship sea fishing magazine for its efforts to secure other forms of advertising. Anglers need transport to get fishing, and advocating the use of some rather nice and shiny looking 4*4 vehicles to conquer transportation specifically for angling is genius. When angling only advertising spend is down slightly, looking at other related markets is a good idea.

For towing boats, that’s all fine and well. However, I would like to be so bold as to say that for the rest of us, this doesn’t serve for anything other than eye candy. Okay, maybe that’s an over-exaggeration, maybe there is a larger market for these kinds of vehicle than I believe. That said I reckon there is scope for broadening of horizons. I think all of this has the beginnings of a great idea, and I am now going to expand on it.

Perhaps I am being very small minded, but I reckon your average fisher person in this country, and I consider myself to fall into this bracket, doesn’t have a huge amount of expendable cash to buy, finance, or even pay the fuel bill for a brand new 4*4. Partly the reason for this is that we spend it all on actual fishing.

So what do we need? Ideally, we need something economical, spacious, reliable and safe. We anglers tend to put in a heck of a lot of miles on a weekly basis. Since some clever bankers decided the whole world needed an economical depression, we all need to cut back on expenditure. If not, we should at least drive something that doesn’t drink large amounts of fuel. Incidentally, my local fishing club has cancelled some of its ‘away’ trips in the 2009 year. Fuel bills have cut attendance rates, and for a small fishing club, that’s not good.

My first car was brilliant - a 3-door, 1.0 litre Vauxhual Corsa. I can still hear the painful screams as it revved its little head off at fifth gear speeds. This might amaze you, but I never had a single problem related to space. Two people, three people, all with loads fishing tackle, it never mattered.

One time, two of us bombed it up north for a three day fishing trip. We had four seat boxes, a large cool box, enough warm clothing to make it to the North Pole, and a dozen-strong assortment of various rods. The main thing about this fantastic vehicle was its fuel economy. Miles and some serious off road abuse eventually saw the end of my beloved Corsa.

My point is this... at a time when jobs look dodgy, and the pound looks decidedly fragile, should we be indulging in extravagant motors? I am really trying to hide the fact that I want one, I really want a big shiny powerful 4*4. I can’t really grumble though; my current fishing wagon is no off roader, but so far this year it has taken me to some pretty cool places without a hint of groan. Most recently, it took me to a place where I could flex my 14ft SK4 beachcaster, and haul in some small thornback rays.

- Shaun Cumming