I see Gryff Rhys-Jones has been urging canoeists to disturb as many anglers as possible to make a point about who should have access to our rivers.

During an open (traditional-style) canoe course in North Wales last week I came across a rather intimidating 'no canoeing' sign posted by 'the largest angling society in Europe'. Trouble is, it was below the tidal limit of the estuary/river and therefore wrong.

As an angler I felt somewhat ashamed, as a (newbie) canoeist somewhat indignant. And 'there's the rub' I guess.

The argument against canoeists, in particular, is that they disturb the river bed and scare the fish... I now know that the former is simply not true and that the latter is highly debatable.

I know this is heresy – that anglers contribute £X to the upkeep of our rivers – via the rod license and club memberships – but I can't help thinking that to deny access to navigable non-tidal waters, to other respectful users (non-motorised), is morally indefensible.

I believe the access situation is different in Ireland and Scotland (US and Canada)? I'd be interested to know if shared access makes any difference to anglers in those parts.



(PS. If anyone thinks this thread should be moved to another section, please let me know how, or do it for me. Thanks.)

I guess the problem is that what makes a river good for fly fishing also makes it good for canoeing. It's a shame that there has to be so much antagonism between the two fraternities when a little courtesy and common sense on both parts would make things easier all round. My beef is not with the single canoe or even a couple. It's the flottilas of 20 odd out for their once a year paddle that crash down the river without so much as a good morning (plenty of 'em on the Wye). It's not just canoeists either. The speed that some launches hammer down the Severn in flagrant disregard to the limit is beyond belief. They just don't give a monkey's for anyone else. Oh for a torpedo....................birdsnest

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There's more to it than just simple access skipper

Check out Gareths thread asking for a petition.
Some good points being made.

Main one for me is courtesy, never mind the rest of it

If Im fishing and I see a canoeist, I stop whizzing my flies about over their heads and faces.

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John Danter

Have a read of the letter to Assembly Member – Jane Davidson & Chair of the Scrutiny Committee – Mick Bates

http://cpwf.co.uk/home/?page_id=320

I wonder if Mr Rhys-Jones has read that.................birdsnest

__________________
Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

Do you have his address birdsnest ?

I believe he can be contacted at

TROIKA
3rd Floor, 74 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5QA

.............................birdsnest

__________________
Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

The Daily Mail featured some featured some of his antics today; although no mention was made of ancient riparian rights and ownership of the river bed by the landowners.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-possible.html


The comedian (they sure got that right ) and TV presenter believes anglers have too much control over Britain's rivers - and says other water users should take revenge.

In a newspaper interview Rhys Jones said: 'After a year spent canoeing, swimming and surfing along our waterways for my new television series about Britain's rivers, I have discovered that, in England and Wales at least, they no longer belong to the people. They belong to stockbrokers, to anglers and to farmers.
'Private fishing clubs have bought up the banks, controlling the water to the middle where they meet rival fishing clubs.'
The 55-year-old is encouraging river users to get their own back by spoiling the chance of a catch for anglers. He has told canoeists and boaters to 'disturb as many fishermen as possible' on their travels.

In an article in BBC's Countryfile magazine, Rhys Jones added: 'What we all need to remember is that the river isn't there for the few but for the many.'
River Journeys is due to be broadcast on BBC1 from this Sunday.

Lets bombard the ####

http://www.griff-rhysjones.co.uk/contact.htm

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John Danter

This topic was discussed today by Jeremy Vines (?) and anglers were not represented fairly.
Isn't amazing how the 'squeaky cog gets oiled', thus the canoeists have the most to say.
We went through tis in Australia a few years ago. Canoeists were everywhere on the rivers that held trout. The difference there was that those parts of our rivers which held trout were also the same stretches that canoeists wanted to use.
We lobbied hard, and like I suspect will happen here, lost the debate.
Our argument was that we paid for our chosen sport and the canoeists didn't have to. We believed that, like here, we had a higher right than them. Our payment was only in the form of a licence and at a pretty modest price ($20/£8) and I recognise that it is much different here.
Still, the arguments are the same. Everyone wants overarching rights.
There were zealots on both sides and in the end it was education that solved our problem.
Anglers started talking to the canoeing groups about the impact they had on canoeing over the water where fish were rising. Canoeists started to talk to the anglers about to determine how they could minimise the disruption and between them we came up with a code of practice which was published by the government.
Settled you might say. No, it continued on BUT it became less and less of a problem over a few years.
Fly fishing (and angling in general) is an enduring passion that will outlast most sports and we saw the interest in canoeing pass from fad into a minor past time.
But I am speaking from a fly fishermen's perspective. I suspect the debate between the canoeist and the coarse angler will be much more intense. They have just got to work out a way which is considerate to both
This debate will rag during summer, wane during spring and disappear in winter and there will be less of them next year.

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