A clever PR stunt...not

**ladymuck** · 31 August 2020, 09:04

As a non-fisher person, I had no idea the rod was upside down but it does look like there's no line in it. Considering the flex there is in a rod, I'd expect to see the end dip slightly when held out like that

**SueEllen** · 31 August 2020, 10:36

I find it amusing that the SPAD who thought up the photo op didn't check which way the rod was suppose to be held.

**wattaj** · 31 August 2020, 10:46

The rod can be held in either position. It is often "upside-down" when game fishing... sorry, I don't know why. It might also be a left-hand / right-handed thing.

I don't approve of game fishing for similar reasons to those for game hunting in that it's generally the preserve of little men.

**ladymuck** · 31 August 2020, 10:56

Thinking about it, also from the perspective of a clueless person, it's probably safer to have a rod with no line in it for a photo op!

Knowing me, I'd do something clumsy and several meters of line would issue forth and catch onto something and yank a (probably) expensive rod out of my hands, never to be seen again.

I'm in no way condoning the numptiness of the photo op, just thinking about the practicalities of having an idiot handle the kit.

**Paddy** · 31 August 2020, 11:20

Fishing without a rod.

**Old Greg** · 31 August 2020, 11:26

Originally posted by Paddy View Post

Fishing without a rod.

I did go mullet fishing with a shotgun in my youth.

**NickFitz** · 31 August 2020, 11:44

There doesn't appear to be any line on the reel at all, so there must be a very powerful minnow on the other end if there is a line

**NickFitz** · 31 August 2020, 11:45

Originally posted by darmstadt View Post

Edit, not too sure, there might be a line as the rod is bending a bit but why is it upside down?

The apparent bend is extremely slight, and could easily be minor distortion from the camera lens.

**Paddy** · 31 August 2020, 11:59

Originally posted by darmstadt View Post

https://twitter.com/VictoriaPrentis/...43972483649538

Edit, not too sure, there might be a line as the rod is bending a bit but why is it upside down?

I'm interested in mackerel. Mackerel is an interesting choice of fish. It's plentiful in UK waters, which is why it's a popular choice for sea fishing competitions (if you find a shoal you can pick them out of the sea as fast as you can reel them in — assuming your rod has a line). But...the UK is a net exporter of mackerel (just as we are a net importer of cod, haddock, etc) 67,000 tonnes in 2019. Its value depends upon demand beyond our shores, and the largest markets currently are The Netherlands, France and Romania.

Mackerel is known for spoiling quickly (there are more references to stinking mackerel in English literature than to any other fish) and ≈21,000 tonnes of ours are exported fresh. Without a trade deal, it's not only tariffs but non-tariff barriers that will become an issue. Because it spoils so easily, a lot of mackerel is processed before export (smoking, freezing, etc.). Currently, around half of those employed in the UK fish processing sector are EU nationals. It's hard to see how ending free movement of labour will not have an impact here. ]

Through the Gaps! - Newlyn Fishing News: Brexit discussion: Fresh mackerel, a fish that needs to move quickly. Cornwall UK fish commercial fishing fish cooking and art

A clever PR stunt...not