For many young anglers, other popular distractions such as football can lead to the fishing kit being put away for good, but one youngster has done the opposite, and ditched a promising career in football to focus solely on his love of fishing!
Jacky Sheppard (14) was a budding young goalkeeper, having once played for Birmingham City. However, after picking up a rod in October 2020 and developing a passion for fishing, he’s now abandoned football.
“I kept the fishing gear from my childhood, hoping that one day my son would take up the hobby,” Jacky’s dad, Tom, told us.
“After starting outpole and float fishing for mixed species, he’s now fished from Blackpool to Land’s End, and even in France, where he caught a PB carp of 39lb.”
Having played football since he was five, Jacky’s decision to give up the sport wasn’t an easy one to make, but Tom explained that his son’s love of angling runs deeply.
“Fishing isn’t just a sport for Jacky – it’s his church, his happy place, where he can feel free.
“The angling community have shown him kindness and love, and it’s refreshing that there are people out there offering support and guidance to the next generation of anglers.”
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