Cultivating Your Dreams in carp fishing

Gipcy, August 21st, 2023

In a world where everything revolves around measurable goals,

what space is left for dreams?

The culture of mystery is fading…

and with it, the emotions it once carried.

And yet, not so long ago, the unknown was inseparable from our fishing.

So has the destination overtaken the journey?

When Evolution Isn’t Progress

Carp fishing, like everything else, evolves.

But evolution doesn’t always mean improvement.

History has shown us time and time again that humans make mistakes —

and sometimes, we need to step back to set things right.

One of the things that troubles me most today

is seeing the magic slowly disappear from our fishing.

Modern carp anglers want to know everything.

Fast. Too fast.

And at any cost.

Why?

There are many answers, of course —

but opportunism is definitely one of them.

Because in the end, everything seems to lead back to the same question:

“Will it be worth it?”

No time to search.

No time to invest.

Some even go as far as paying for information

(I was offered that again just last month).

Consumer culture seeps into everything —

into every system, every mindset.

Is there still a place for mystery today?

Passion… or Just a Hobby?

I don’t have many clear memories from my childhood.

But one stands out.

Every time my dad parked his old Renault 18 by a new stretch of water,

I felt the same thing.

The same question.

What kind of monsters could be hiding in there?

That single question was a gateway to an entire world where imagination ruled.

Back then, we knew almost nothing about the fish stocks in France.

The boundaries of that world were almost non-existent.

And honestly…

without that sense of mystery, I don’t think this hobby would have ever become a passion for me.

I don’t go fishing to score points.

If I wanted that, I’d go bowling.

I go fishing to dream.

Now don’t get me wrong —

I understand the desire, even the need, for results.

I also understand competition.

The need for status within a group is deeply rooted in human nature.

It shows itself in many ways throughout our lives.

Many have written about it —

and I remember Eric Deboutrois even referring to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in a recent issue of Média Carpe.

I’ve got nothing against competition…

except when it makes people lose their minds and treat fish carelessly.

I tried it myself when I was younger.

But it never really clicked.

Probably because I don’t fish for results —

I fish to reconnect with the present moment.

Without mystery, our smiles would never have been that big

Information: A Double-Edged Sword

This obsession with “getting the info” is slowly devaluing the very idea of earning your results.

Because if all you do is apply information gathered from others, you’re not really fishing —

you’re reproducing someone else’s work.

Gathering information is the work of an investigator.

Applying it blindly is just acting.

And using that to feed your ego?

That’s just lying to yourself.

To me, copying someone else’s success is like enjoying the outcome of their effort without adding anything of your own.

I often say that using a fishing tour operator is like finishing a video game with cheat codes.

And in many ways, chasing information isn’t that different.

The Hidden Trap

Beyond the ethical aspect, there’s also a real risk on the bank.

Following a pre-made plan can disconnect you from what’s actually happening in front of you.

Fishing requires awareness.

Observation.

Adaptation.

The ability to question yourself at any moment.

But anglers overloaded with information often arrive full of certainty —and lose their ability to truly see.

Even when it’s obvious.

You can always change your plan… but the time wasted insisting on doing “what worked for someone else” is gone forever.

As they say:

There is none so blind as those who refuse to see.

There is none so blind as those who refuse to see

Other Realities, Other Perspectives

That said, it’s important to step back a little.

This vision can be seen as somewhat extreme.

Because reality is more nuanced.

Doing everything on your own takes time… and energy.

And what happens when that energy fades?

We don’t all have the drive we had at 20.

And not everyone has the time to explore and figure things out from scratch.

For some, seeking efficiency is simply a necessity.

And that’s perfectly understandable.

We can all imagine how we’d react in their position…

But the truth is, we only really discover who we are in the moment itself.

Everything else is just projection.

One day, those fifteen kilos of plastic will give way to more appropriate gear

Living Your Dreams… Not Dreaming Your Life

At this stage of my life, where the world of dreams feels harder to access,

I’ve been searching for ways to keep that sense of freedom alive.

For over 15 years now,

I’ve embraced something simple: choosing not to know.

Avoiding information has become my safety net.

It allows me to maintain a genuine relationship with the waters I fish.

Not knowing what’s out there means every discovery feels like a gift.

No expectations.

No pressure.

No fixed goals.

And therefore… no disappointment.

Expect nothing — and you leave the door wide open.

That, to me, is a form of freedom.

New Zealand 2017 — a moment frozen in time

What If I Knew Everything?

If I started researching every lake and river,

I honestly think I’d stop fishing in France.

Because I’d realise just how constant the fishing pressure really is.

I’d know the stocks.

The trends.

The “right” places.

But then…

what kind of mindset would I be fishing with?

Would I drive across the country

just because “that’s where the big ones are right now”?

Would I get frustrated after six hours on the road because the key swims are already taken?

Would I end up chasing the next spot, buying the latest miracle bait along the way…

only to realise I forgot my echo sounder —

and on that river, everyone “knows” you won’t catch anything without it?

The Illusion of Efficiency

Yes, information can save time.

It can feel like a shortcut to success.

But on the bank, it often does the opposite.

It conditions you.

Limits you.

And disconnects you from the bigger picture.

It also fuels herd behaviour —

pushing anglers towards the same waters,

and with it, all the issues that come with pressure:

conflicts, pollution, declining fish stocks…

And perhaps worst of all, it creates expectations that are often too high —

leading straight to frustration when they’re not met.

No one is forcing you to go with the flow

A Different Kind of “Success”

Ironically, fishing without information can be one of the most effective approaches of all.

Because you rely on your senses.

You adapt naturally.

You become more aware — and often more efficient.

And whatever the outcome, there’s no frustration.

Because there were no expectations to begin with.

In that sense, you always come out a winner.

Final Thought

There’s no need to spend hours online or chase people for information just to collect the keys to an invisible prison.

Mystery costs nothing.

But it gives everything to those who understand that the real story is written along the way —

not just at the finish line.

Soël