With the new season starting does anyone know what rights we anglers have regarding approaching, stopping, confiscating tackle,banning and prosecuting poachers on our waters?
I seem to recollect that at one time an angler could show his EA Fishing Licence and legally ask to see another anglers licence. At one time I also thought you could confiscate tackle etc.
Today, more than at anytime, I think we all need to be aware of our rights as to what and how we can do in situations involving poachers.
Any rules, guidelines etc folks?

you can ask to see thier lisences ie club lisence & EA lisence etc but you cant touch them as they could have witnesses that you harmed them and you could go to court, you cant take any tackle of them, unfortunatly you cant give them a good slap and basicly what all you can to them if they havnt got a lisence is get off the water and take thier name, adress and if you have got a camera on your phone take a quick snap of them and forward the information to the EA. But i think we anglers should have a bit more power on what we can do as bailiffs on our waters.





Small Stream Addicts

You could ask but I wouldn't show you anything unless you were an authorised EA Bailiff or I was buying a permit from you.

I would be very careful now days taking on anybody, quite frankly it's not worth possibly being attacked for the sake of someone fishing illegally, if you think someone is poaching I would contact the Police!

The official line is here:

Environment Agency - Report illegal fishing

JB's point re calling the Police is good, although you may find that they are not as helpful as you'd like if you cold call them, as it may not register as a high priority.

The organised way is to get your fishing club to contact them re any concerns in an official capacity and agree a protocol for contacting them ... our local angling club/s have done this and we have a named point of contact.

The advice re avoiding confrontation is good, I've scared off a few disorganised 'spinners' over the years, some of whom have dumped kit when escaping; I was careful to let the Police know that I had their kit in my possession so that I didn't end up being tarred as 'the criminal' who'd stolen property from them.

Luckily I've not come across an organised group; if I do I won't be taking them on 'lethal weapon' style; would likely record details and take phone photo's discretely, find somewhere in a phone signal zone to contact the Police / EA rather than risk laying on a bank side having received a severe kicking (or worse) from several unscrupulous characters.

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Thanks, I appreciate all that, but I would like to know what can be done postively at the time.

Let's talk about catching an individual, rather than organised groups.

It's a common sense thing, I tend to spend a lot of time at our local river walking the dog or passing by it on the school run etc - our members are supposed to display a card in their cars, some don't (some people are dog walking etc and nothing to do with the fishing) ... but you usually get an inkling if something isn't quite right.

If I don't know someone, I might take a walk with the dog like any other member of the public might, then pass by them discretely and just ask how the fishing is going ... quite quickly someone legit will usually offer you enough detail so you know they're ok ... if they don't, then perhaps work out a question that will 'out them'.

I ask people if they're on a day ticket (you can't get one unless fishing with a member on our river ). I can then either decide to take further action there and then or simply wander off on my way and call for back up without the 'visitor' being any wiser.

There's a lot of gung-ho talk re what should be done in these situations, the reality is not as simple as might be suggested in the pub conversation when you are in the field, unless you wish to end up wasting a lot of time defending your own legal position for the sake of catching what is most likely a below par angler, who may not have the skills to empty your river/stream/lake anyway. In my experience good anglers are usually keen to keep things legit.

Now bring on the stories which demonstrate that I'm wrong ...

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Nothing other than, has already been said. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

No doubt someone will be along quoting "Minimum force".
Please do not under any circumstances, takle a poacher believing that you have right, justice on your side. Should you injure them, whether that be physical or believe it or not emotional. You have a strong chance of being prosecuted.

Best to just ask them to stop, if they don't comply. Leave, phone the police, tell them that you've just spotted a flasher, down by your river.

The police will show up then.

Sean

... like it , although weirdo fly fishermen risk being hauled in themselves, thrown sprawling into the cells claiming 'it wasn't me govna' .

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The police are a waste of time, they don't want to know, unless you are speeding, just thought I would get that one in. A number of times we have caught poachers on our waters, phoned the police, if they do come up which is not very often its about 2 hours after.

Which is why getting a little bit political (in a polite way) and approaching them in an official way is the way forwards .

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