Gone Fishing
My story with English Springer Spaniels started many years ago, my parents had ESS, and I was born into them. They were above all family pets, but we did lightly show them, and my dad also worked them shooting.
​
Fast forward a good number of years and from when I got married to now, I have had eight of my own. All of them have been shown, some more than others and some more successful than others and again they were, above all, family pets. Being brought up with two very boisterous boys, temperament was key.
​
In 2018, I separated from my hubby and at the time only had one English Springer, called Jake. He became my constant companion and soul mate. Words cannot describe how he helped me in my dark times and how he lifted my spirits. He was kind, gentle and the most forgiving soul. Wherever I went he followed and always with something in his mouth as he loved to carry things for me, be it a watering can, a box of flowers or a fishing net.
​
At this time my eldest son worked away Monday to Friday and of a weekend he would take himself off fishing so I was never getting to see him so in my wisdom I decided to take up fishing (my son could teach me) and I could spend time with him. So off we went most weekends him, me and Jake, to our local lake. Well to say we enjoyed it would be an understatement as we loved it. I knew Jake did as when it was time to go home Jake always hid behind a car or a tree, so he didn’t have to leave. At the lake everyone got to know Jake and made a fuss of him which he loved. It was his happy place (I think).
​
During the COVID lockdown, my son's girlfriend committed suicide and for support he joined a newly established mental health support group called Fishingthemind. For extra support during this time, he asked if I would join him, which I did willingly. The group's purpose was to support people suffering from mental health issues, through fishing. Everyone will meet up at local lakes where they can get out in the fresh air, focus on fishing and get some headspace and time away from their everyday lives.
I very soon became a volunteer, and Jake became an honorary mascot for the group. He loved going fishing and meeting people. I even used to go fishing for several days at a time and Jake still came with me. He loved to get on my camp bed at night and snuggle in. If I caught a fish in the middle of the night he would stay right where he was and I would be out in the cold and dark bringing in the fish, but at least he kept my spot warm 😊
In May 2022, Jake became very poorly quite suddenly and within a couple of days I had to say goodbye to him at only 10 ½ years old. To say I missed him would be an understatement, I was totally lost without him, and for the first time in my life I didn’t have a dog in my house. Once a Springer Spaniel touches your heart it will be locked in forever.
On New Years Day 2023, I went to pick up my new English Springer, a dog to be called Morgan. At about 18 weeks of age, he went on his first weekend fishing trip. It was cold and dark, and he was as good as gold. He was made the new mascot and an honorary member of the Fishingthemind group. He was fussed and cuddled by lots of the group and even taken for walks round the lake.
Morgan is still young and is settling into this fishing malarkey, he doesn’t care really as long as he is with me, and he is learning to be patient and enjoys his trips out fishing and loves people
Please click below if you would like to find about more about this support group.
Helen, Jake & Morgan (October 2025)