Get to know Claudia Darga
Claudia Darga is one of the top anglers in Europe and you can compete against
her in the offline events of The Catch: Carp & Coarse. Recently you will have
seen her on our pages playing the game as well as providing advice for those
getting started as an angler. Who is Claudia and how did she get in to fishing?
Read on to find out.
How did you get into carp fishing?
My interest definitely started with the previous relationship to my boyfriend,
who is a pretty successful carp angler. He took me one time with him to the bank
and the first trip was amazing for me. From this day on I was infected by this
amazing sport and I joined mostly all sessions that he did during the years. One
day I decided not being only a visitor, instead, I decided to become an active
angler. So from time to time I started to catch my first fish, made my own
tactics and used my favourite baits. I would say that 90% I go for carp, because
this is the style of fishing I am most addicted to 😀. For me, it is different
to all other styles of fishing. I love the relaxed part of it. However, during
the last two years I tried more and more other styles of fishing. So I also
tried the hard to fish for predator fish such as bass, zander and catfish. But I
also try to go fishing during my holidays and try out new things. However, I
always come to the conclusion that carp fishing is the style of fishing I like
most.
What’s your earliest fishing memory?
This was when I was a little girl, guess around 7 or 8 years old. I went fishing
with my dad in Poland. We went fishing from the boat and to be totally honest I
can’t remember what we were trying to catch. But I think my dad just tried to
catch something no matter which kind of fish. Just remember that we had worms,
maggots and corn. Back then fishing for me was really boring because my dad said
I can’t talk and move cause we are fishing from the boat. If I would move I am
going to scare the fish. Therefore I sat on the boat and were waiting and
waiting and waiting. My dad was never a good angler and actually I can’t
remember that we ever caught something. Nevertheless for my Dad it was always
important to show me and my sister where the fish come from and how to kill and
cook it. After our unsuccessful fishing trip we drove to a fishing farm and
bought some fish and killed it by ourself. Guess this was something very
important back then for me as well because my dad showed me everything, I was
never disgusted.
Are you an out and out carp angler or are there any other styles you love?
Of course I have tried a lot from time to time. For example a variety of
predator fish as pike, perch, zander and catfish. But also Perch and tench were
my targeted fish. But also fishing for exotic species as Siamese carp or
Arapaima I have done. But always coming to the conclusion that carp fishing is
by far the best fishing style. Therefore, my focus is on carp. I would say that
90% I go for carp, because this is the style of fishing I am most addicted too.
For me, it is different to all other styles of fishing.
What is your favourite thing about fishing?
I have tried so many different styles of fishing. And also compared to other
leisure activities, this is what I like most. As it combines so many things I
love! I love the nature, I love animals and I love the silence, I love to chill
and hang out with friends and I really love to sleep. This is all possible when
fishing for carp. For me one weekend out at the bank is almost like one week
vacation. It is more than just catching big carps. It is so much that attracts
me to do this fantastic hobby. But of course the best part of it is when you
know your tactic worked out and you are catching a good fish. My second best
moment is the sound of the bite alarm and the third is when releasing a big fish
and realizing again how big and peaceful it was. It all contributes a little bit
to my passion for carp fishing. All of that attracted me from the beginning and
is still what I love about it.
What’s your most memorable catch/what is your personal best?
My most memorable catch happened during one of my last sessions some years ago.
I have seen this fish three years swimming in my most favorite lake. It has been
caught only once approx. 5 years ago. It is a stunning Koi carp called Nemo. I
have observed it always during summer time in the shallow water while
sunbathing. It is so unbelievably beautiful. In late summer last year I could
not believe my eyes when this fish came up in front of my landing net! It was
one of my best fishing moments when seeing it the first time. Because I wanted
to catch it so hard! Once it was in the landing net I was just shocked about
what had happened! This fish was exactly 10kg and was my most beautiful and
probably one of the most unique fish I have ever seen.
At what point did you realise you could make angling your career?
This was about three years ago when I realize that I am having kinda two
fulltime jobs.
The last years I have worked in the logistics and I loved it every single
second. But then after some time I felt that I was extremly busy with everything
around fishing. And by that I don’t mean the actual fishing I mean all the
writing, organising, editing videos and pictures and so on. Then I realised with
all the work around it I could make it a fulltime job.
What’s your number 1 tip you give to new anglers?
The first I always say is to be patient. Nowadays many beginners have the
impression that fishing is very easy and that you can catch big fish very
quickly. Last but not least the impression comes from social media. There are
often the big fish presented although it is also a long way to get there. Also
with me some people seem to think that when I am on the water, I am always
catching fish but this is not the reality. Every angler, no matter how
successful he is, has days when he catches nothing. So I think patience is
really important. Don't give up as soon as you go home without catching a fish.
I am not discouraged when I'm blanking, but I think about what I can improve
next time, it was the wrong bait or the wrong place. There is no 100% formula
for sucessful fishing, it is a mixture of patience and creativity.
What gaming experience do you have?
When I was younger, I played a lot. No matter whether it was on the PC or the
PlayStation or Game Boy. I also met with friends to play with, somehow everyone
was gaming. My weakness is that once I start I can't stop easily. For example,
when I went shopping with my mother, I always took my Game Boy with me and
couldn't let it go while shopping. And when I wasn't being good, you can guess
what I got as punishment... right she took my games away :-P
3 months ago