Angling Trust
Interesting..

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Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire

It would be nice to think that one day canoeists (of which I have been one in the past) and fishermen (of which I am one currently) would learn to play nicely together. The sooner the petty squabbling ends, the sooner mature and rational discussions can lead to a positive change in the them-and-us clash between the two past-times.

Having read both the article linked to, and the canoeing forum thread it refers to, I think it's a great shame that hackles are raised even before the date.

On a related note, this months FF&FT has news that Canoe Wales has "admitted that canoeists have no right to paddle". It's a typically one sided report for a fishing magazine, and would be more interesting with more detail from both sides. But an interesting development none the less.

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You can only fish for so long before you have to throw a stick of dynamite in the river.

I must be honest i have come into contact with canoeist on 2 seperate occasions and they have been very courteous,leaving the water as soon as they have seen me wading.

Quotes from the thread by the organiser,

" Jimbosoton, If any body, Peer of the Realm, or a lackey acting on their orders, threatens me or any one lawfully paddling down the Hampshire Avon on the 22nd of Oct, they should first make sure that their affairs are in order.

Since they will soon be in a world of pain. Do you recall Roule Moote ? [sic]

It is against the law, and the Police, on hearing that a gun is being pointed at people will act accordingly.

I and many others have paddled this river, over the years, and apart hot air, the landowners have nothing else to bring to the
party. See you on the Day "

" Hi Impcanoe and Whirligig, let talk about the locals.

For a start,there are not many of them, you can go miles and see no body, and when you do, its J, R, Hartly or one of his pals.

The land owners do not own the running water, and they know that, if they huff and puff,be polite, firm, and don't take a back ward step,keep paddling.

In answer to Whirligig,on the journey last year,none of us knew the route from experience, south of Salisbury,the river splits into 3or4 different streams,the one we should have taken was barraged off,[the river authority were doing work to the bank],
we should have done a little portage,we did not.

We were informed of our 'mistake' by a pair of foul mouthed farmers, we did not engage in any debate with them,and the cut that we were on soon met up with the main stream.

I don't intend going near those 'horny handed sons of toil'this time.

It all adds to an interesting day out, before winter, I look forward to seeing you, and any one else who is interested, on the day. "



Lives in Bristol apparently. W@nker.

As per T of D I used to be a canoeist.
I can't understand why people just can't get along. Mind you with my recent 'meetings' with some of the salmon fishermen and their attitude to trout anglers I can see why there is so much anger.
Canoeists are'nt going to go away. You can't stop them! (That's like telling motorists not to speed! Some will heed some will ignore)
Sort out a spate agreement as per some of the rivers in the Lake District.
Can this not be done?

Frank

Read the above and you'll see why it can't be done. The canoeists appear to be determined to force their views on the rest of us and seem bent on confrontation.

So to further that analogy; is the only option then to abolish speed limits?

Trespassing is trespassing.

Now that's a good idea!

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

That ignores the fact that concerns were raised on the canoeing thread about permission and there are only a few contributors to the thread. It does not, as Horses50 points out, represent all canoeists.

It could easily be said that some fishermen are determined to force their views on canoeists. I am not trying to pick a fight by saying this, merely trying to illustrate that there are two sides to this argument, and all river users need to be proactive in finding the best compromise for all concerned, no matter how loudly some people decide to shout about inconsiderate others.

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You can only fish for so long before you have to throw a stick of dynamite in the river.

Interesting thread this. I generally fish rivers too small to be navigable and haven't paid any interest to this issue before. I must admit then that I know very little of the issues or the law at stake, so I won't add my 2 cents worth.

But having read these 2 paddling forums on the intended "protest paddle":

Hampshire Avon

Guidebook Community Pages • View topic - Call from the Angling Trust in Hampshire

the protagonists appear somewhat of a confrontational lot!

Similar problems had to be sorted out on the Soca River in Slovenia. I was told by a fishing guide that the boat and fishing guides eventually got together and reached an amicable agreement and established a "code of conduct" etc. I hope a practical solution can be reached, or alternatively a final adjudication by the Courts to clear up the issue.