‘What I wish I’d known at 20’ - Rich Wilby

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, so for this series we asked some of angling’s stars what nuggets of wisdom they would share with their 20 year-old selves and why. It makes interesting reading...

Rich Wilby - 2020 Drennan Cup Winner

“I’d say enjoy every moment spent on the bank and do not become obsessed with just catching. The fish will eventually come along, so don’t worry about blanking because that’s all part of specimen angling.
“Back in 1999 I was a broke art student at Staffordshire University. I only had my spinning rod with me at uni because I shared a tiny house, but I’d fish as much as I could every time I returned home to Norfolk in between terms.
“I would fish for all manner of species on local gravel pits and ponds. In winter, though, I loved spending time on the River Waveney targeting pike.
“My good friend Paul and I would walk miles, leapfrogging along the river and catching nice fish. It was a good way to walk off all those Christmas and New Year party hangovers.
“If I could go back in time I would also tell myself to go on more short trips and make the effort to get out of bed earlier for first-light morning sessions – I still struggle with getting up before 6am!”