Northantslad
'Any indications?
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2012
- Messages
- 6,274
I can't summarise every post on this matter but am going to attempt to tap into some themes i have seen in the last couple of weeks. Clearly, as predicted and as not surprising, the boom in people wanting to get out fishing again is present and also and equally not surprisingly there a good few looking to try it for the first time.
I have got to say of course that measures taken to protect people in these times when it comes to fishing aren't ideal but a necessity of course, but i see many contradictions under the guise of this, and also continued issues present before covid, just amplified during it.
For a sport (is it/isn't it, not looking to spark that debate) that regularly calls on it numbers as a voice and relies on its numbers growing to enhance that voice, i have read numerous posts in the last couple of weeks and the sport in danger as coming across as a far from a welcoming pastime and full of closed shop mentalities.
Not looking to antagonise anyone, but i wish to say what i think. Numpties is a word when applied to would be/new anglers i cannot stand, the chaps post the other day whose fishery was shut because of 'litter' was actually shut because the owner chose to affect everyone with his choice of action- and the theme in the thread was that there were a good few who felt he could have tackled the culprits instead of shutting it.
Some simply wrong things go on-true enough and bailiffs put up with alot of........., some things can be debated as either way and some things are brought about purely by over eager bailiffs/owners, who once they put the hat on get on a power trip and create situations themselves.
A members only fishery, is a members only fishery true, but, will, when the current members move on, any newbie who came for that look around and basically got told to do one and referred to this sign, that sign, this rule or that rule, be interested in joining? Too often they are blanketed under the must be a wrong un tag and given a cold welcome. I'm not saying that all-comers should be welcomed with open arms and given a guided tour, but, again, we are coming across at times in these few weeks as what golf clubs used to be back in the elitist days.
To touch on the 'read the sign/rules advice', i know of several fisheries that have a sign up inferring that fishing is private and members only, but then using that just as deterrent then sell day tickets on the bank to faces that fit.
Should anyone think i am suggesting owners/bailiffs get lax and then quote the fish losses, bad behaviour, assaults etc etc as reasoning for 'measures' im not , as i say it goes on i know, i am just saying that, at times, in-consistency, over zealous approaches and alienation of would be newbies, isn't going to help the future of the sport or how it is viewed by some.
I will leave you with a real situation, that does make me bias i am afraid and left me with little sympathy for what was being advised. Chatting to a mate the other night who has been a member of a fishery that does membership and day tickets, for a good many years, he said to me words to the effect of 'you haven't seen anything like it lately, fish handling terrible, poor standards of angling, right mess'. I had a membership at this venue for around 4 years, then when i moved and couldn't get down regular to justify the cost, i did day ticket for a while, until i was asked to pack up early one late afternoon as the bailiff (a newish bailiff that evening among an established team of them) wished to leave for the evening, but made a point of saying to my two mates in the next pegs they were ok to fish on, 'i know you 2'.- and that was that as they say, no rules to suggest members got any longer times to fish, just because he fancied doing it and could. A few weeks later, mate said to me that the other bailiffs had said they wanted as many reliable people on the bank as long as possible to just be a presence at least. If my ability and good many years of experience wasn't good enough for this bailiff, he must be in his element now with what my mate advised me is going on.
Welcome, educate, and thrive, still with the eyes open of course, has to be a better way forwards surely? I'm not sure i would like to be a new angler looking to start out in today's climate.
I have got to say of course that measures taken to protect people in these times when it comes to fishing aren't ideal but a necessity of course, but i see many contradictions under the guise of this, and also continued issues present before covid, just amplified during it.
For a sport (is it/isn't it, not looking to spark that debate) that regularly calls on it numbers as a voice and relies on its numbers growing to enhance that voice, i have read numerous posts in the last couple of weeks and the sport in danger as coming across as a far from a welcoming pastime and full of closed shop mentalities.
Not looking to antagonise anyone, but i wish to say what i think. Numpties is a word when applied to would be/new anglers i cannot stand, the chaps post the other day whose fishery was shut because of 'litter' was actually shut because the owner chose to affect everyone with his choice of action- and the theme in the thread was that there were a good few who felt he could have tackled the culprits instead of shutting it.
Some simply wrong things go on-true enough and bailiffs put up with alot of........., some things can be debated as either way and some things are brought about purely by over eager bailiffs/owners, who once they put the hat on get on a power trip and create situations themselves.
A members only fishery, is a members only fishery true, but, will, when the current members move on, any newbie who came for that look around and basically got told to do one and referred to this sign, that sign, this rule or that rule, be interested in joining? Too often they are blanketed under the must be a wrong un tag and given a cold welcome. I'm not saying that all-comers should be welcomed with open arms and given a guided tour, but, again, we are coming across at times in these few weeks as what golf clubs used to be back in the elitist days.
To touch on the 'read the sign/rules advice', i know of several fisheries that have a sign up inferring that fishing is private and members only, but then using that just as deterrent then sell day tickets on the bank to faces that fit.
Should anyone think i am suggesting owners/bailiffs get lax and then quote the fish losses, bad behaviour, assaults etc etc as reasoning for 'measures' im not , as i say it goes on i know, i am just saying that, at times, in-consistency, over zealous approaches and alienation of would be newbies, isn't going to help the future of the sport or how it is viewed by some.
I will leave you with a real situation, that does make me bias i am afraid and left me with little sympathy for what was being advised. Chatting to a mate the other night who has been a member of a fishery that does membership and day tickets, for a good many years, he said to me words to the effect of 'you haven't seen anything like it lately, fish handling terrible, poor standards of angling, right mess'. I had a membership at this venue for around 4 years, then when i moved and couldn't get down regular to justify the cost, i did day ticket for a while, until i was asked to pack up early one late afternoon as the bailiff (a newish bailiff that evening among an established team of them) wished to leave for the evening, but made a point of saying to my two mates in the next pegs they were ok to fish on, 'i know you 2'.- and that was that as they say, no rules to suggest members got any longer times to fish, just because he fancied doing it and could. A few weeks later, mate said to me that the other bailiffs had said they wanted as many reliable people on the bank as long as possible to just be a presence at least. If my ability and good many years of experience wasn't good enough for this bailiff, he must be in his element now with what my mate advised me is going on.
Welcome, educate, and thrive, still with the eyes open of course, has to be a better way forwards surely? I'm not sure i would like to be a new angler looking to start out in today's climate.